Spring is time to be more BearWise
From FWC News
It’s springtime, and Florida’s wildlife is becoming more active. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) reminds the public to be BearWise and watch for bears as they stop hitting the winter snooze button.
March means black bears will leave their winter dens for food and water, and they rarely pass up an easy meal. Any accessible garbage, bird seed, or pet food left around your property is like ringing a dinner bell. Secure your attractants to ensure bears will move on from your neighborhood and that female bears won’t teach their cubs your yard makes for a convenient buffet.
Here are some other BearWise Basics to keep in mind:
Alert your neighbors to bear activity in the area.
Black bears are generally not aggressive but they have injured people in Florida. Dogs, in particular, can trigger defensive behaviors from bears, especially females with cubs. When walking dogs, keep them close to you on a short leash and stay aware of your surroundings. Before letting your dog outside in your yard, flip exterior lights on and off and bang on the door to give bears and other wildlife a chance to leave the area.
Having conflicts with bears? FWC should be your first call – our staff are here to help. Go to MyFWC.com/Contact and click “Contact Regional Offices” to find the phone number for your region. Call the FWC’s Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-FWCC (3922) to report someone who is harming bears or intentionally feeding them.
More information is available at MyFWC.com/Bear.
Never feed or approach bears.
Remove bird feeders when bears are active.
Feed your pets inside if possible and never leave pet food outdoors.
Clean and store your grills and smokers.
Secure food, garbage and recycling.