BearWise
Communities
Why Be BearWise?
First and foremost, BearWise communities reduce human-bear conflicts.
BearWise communities are not only safer for people and bears, they also can avoid liability if a person is injured by a bear.
‘When an entire neighborhood comes together to take responsibility to be BearWise, they are taking the most effective step to reduce community-wide conflicts”
David Telesco, Bear Management Program Coordinator
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
EXAMPLES OF NEIGHBORLY COEXISTENCE WITH BLACK BEARS
At least 21 communities throughout North America apply BearWise practices. The result? There are fewer bear conflicts. For example, in Florida alone:
Poster by Hurlburt Air Field personnel
- Hurlburt Air Field in Okaloosa County lessened human-bear conflicts by 70%.
- Wingfield North in Seminole County; St. Teresa and Alligator Point in Franklin County; and Ave Maria in Collier County all saw bear conflicts drop soon after adopting BearWise practices.
- Hog Wild BBQ in Carrabelle, secured their restaurant dumpster with modified lids. This action cut the number of bear encounters significantly.
How to Create a BearWise Community
Step 1: Investigate!
Are Bears Getting Into Garbage & Other Food?
Look for garbage, birdfeeders, pet food, and greasy barbecue grills that attract bears craving calories.
Are Local Authorities Getting Calls About Bears?
To assess bear issues in your community, consult with fish and wildlife biologists, conservation officers or law enforcement officers.
Step 2: Organize!
Talk to Your Neighbors and Organize
Discuss bear issues with your neighbors. When ready to take action, contact your local fish and wildlife agency, community leaders and trash haulers.
Some states may offer a BearWise certification program that offers benefits for participating communities. Check with your state.
Step 3: Act!
Please be sure to follow steps 1 and 2 first
Communities can use the tools and techniques pioneered by bear-resistant communities. See the resources below.
BearWise Toolkit
EXAMPLES OF BEARWISE ORDINANCES
Many BearWise Communities drafted and passed ordinances (i.e. regulations) that support BearWise behavior. The ordinances address such issues as wildlife-resistant trash storage, pet food storage, necessity for clean barbecue grills and bear-resistant deployment of bird feeders.
Explore These BearWise Ordinances
BearWise.org Web and Video resources
The following website and video resources are referenced on BearWise.org
- 1-minute Bear Spray Training by Craig Boddington for IGBC, video
- 30-second Bear Spray PSA by Craig Boddington for IGBC, video
- Birds Only bird feeder system
- Black Bear Myths
- Does bear spray really work? and other FAQs
- Frequently Asked Questions about Black Bears
- How to Use Electric Fencing to Secure Your Outdoor Attractants, video
- Sounds of a black bear huffing and popping
- Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (SEAFWA)
Other recommendations for Bear Wisdom
- Living With Bears, by Linda Masterson, book
- Living with Wildlife Foundation, various guides
- Refuse Management, PDF
- Recreating Guide, PDF
- Electric Fencing Guide, PDF
- Predator Behavior and Modification Tools, by request
- Bear-ology: Fascinating Bear Facts, Tales & Trivia, by Sylvia Dolson, book
- Bear Attacks: Their Causes and Avoidance, by Stephen Herrero, book
Examples of BearWise signs
BearWise communities don’t have to start from scratch…There are great ideas to borrow and adapt.
BearWise.org print resources
The following print resources are posted as PDFs elsewhere on BearWise.org.