Westchester Insider: Westchester County Legislator Mary Jane Shimsky 12th District: Protocols for Black Bear Sightings in District 12.

 

With the recent reports of bear sightings in our district, here is some information from the NYS DEC and local law enforcement:

• If you see a bear, never approach, surround, or attempt to touch it
• Always leave a clear escape route for a bear
• If you feel threatened by a bear, back away slowly, but do not run. If the bear won’t leave, make loud noises—yell, clap, blow car horns or air horns, or drum on nearby objects
• Do not let pets or children play outside unsupervised at dusk and dawn, when bears are most active.

Although bears and other wildlife are to be appreciated and enjoyed, this should be done from a distance or from inside your home. They still pose a threat to people and pets, especially if they are protecting their cubs. In very rare cases, black bears can have rabies and can be aggressive.

If you have spotted black bear activity in real time, notify your local police department immediately. They are not able to respond to the situation after the fact.

Black Bear Facts From the DEC: 

• Bears eat nearly anything - They are omnivorous; eating grasses, berries, fruit, nuts, seeds, insects, grubs, and carrion, as well as human sources of food like corn, honey, bird seed, trash, and pet food when available. 
• Bears are curious - They spend a great deal of time exploring for food, and this can bring them close to humans. 
• Bears are intelligent - Bears learn from experience. If an activity results in food, they will repeat that activity. If an encounter with a human is negative, they learn to avoid humans. Also, if an encounter with a human doesn't result in a reward (food), they will not have any reason to have contact with humans.  

Reducing Human-Bear Conflicts:

The leading cause of bear complaints in New York is bears getting into residential garbage and birdfeeders.  

Bears are more likely to seek out human food sources in the spring and the summer. During these times, natural food sources may be scarce, particularly during periods of drought. Most conflict scenarios in New York can be resolved or minimized by removing or adequately securing whatever served to attract the bear. 

Reduce Bear Attractants by: 

• Removing bird feeders by April 1. New York's black bears begin emerging from their winter dens in mid to late March. Bird feed such as suet and seeds are a very strong attraction for bears, even if they can't reach them. Read more about bears and bird feeders
• Keeping garbage in sealed garbage cans inside a sturdy building like a garage or shed. Anything with an odor can attract a bear. Note: Burning garbage is illegal and may increase its attractiveness to bears 
  • If you frequently find bears foraging in your garbage cans, despite proper storage, consider using a bear-resistant trash container. View a list of bear-resistant products 
  • Mask garbage odors with ammonia-soaked rags
  • If you have curbside garbage pickup- take out trash just before your scheduled pickup. Do not put garbage at the curb the night before
  • Do not place meat or bones in compost piles
• Removing the grease can from grills after every use. Turn the grill on "High" for several minutes after you are done cooking to burn residual odors off the grill
• Not placing food outside to attract wildlife. Any food items used to attract birds, squirrels, or other wildlife will also attract bears 
• Not feeding pets outside. Leftover food or even an empty dish can attract a bear 
• Not operating refrigerators or freezers outside or on porches. Bears can smell what is inside 
• Using electric fencing to keep bears out of apiaries, chicken coops, compost, and gardens 

Keeping Humans and Bears Safe: 

A summary of the information provided can also be found in the attached brochure Living With Bears (PDF). 

The DEC has a standardized reporting and tracking system for black bear-related issues. Notify your local PD and contact the regional DEC wildlife office at 845-256-3098 during normal business hours to report black bear-related nuisance and/or damage.