News Release

FREDERICTON (GNB) – The fall is when black bears are most active in New Brunswick as they forage for food to prepare for the winter ahead. It is also the time when mother bears send their young out on their own. Consequently, bears are more commonly seen during daylight hours this time of year.

The Department of Natural Resources has advice for homeowners and campers on how to prepare themselves should they encounter a black bear.

Although black bear attacks are extremely rare, people need to realize that bears are wild animals that demand respect.

The black bear is the only bear species present in New Brunswick, and it is found throughout the province's mainland. Although bears live primarily in forested areas, they sometimes wander into urban areas.

Conflicts between people and bears have increased as suburban sprawl encroaches into former bear habitat and as more people use New Brunswick's woodlands for recreation. In rural areas, conflicts between people and bears arise when bears damage personal property, beehives, livestock and agricultural crops.

A black bear will take advantage of any food available and will attempt to eat anything that resembles food in looks, smell or taste.

When natural foods such as nuts, berries, insects and tender vegetation are scarce, bears search actively for anything to eat. This is when bears most often come in contact with people. When bears find a source of food, they will usually return regularly.

Most bears are wary of people and will usually leave when encountered, although bears can become a nuisance when they visit homes, cottages, campgrounds and businesses. People must always be cautious around bears since they may react unpredictably.

The best way to avoid bear problems is to not attract them in the first place.

Bears are attracted to homes and camps mainly by garbage and bird feeders. Pet food, charcoal grills, fruit trees and gardens may also attract bears. Once a bear finds food around a home, it will likely return.

Never feed bears as they can learn to associate people with food and may become a problem.  Once a bear becomes accustomed to receiving food from people, its aggressiveness can lead to personal injuries or property damage, and the animal will have to be destroyed.

To minimize bear problems on your property:

●    reduce garbage odours. Rinse food cans and wrappers before disposal;
●    compost only vegetable scraps, never meat or fish;
●    keep meat scraps in your freezer until garbage pickup day;
●    wash garbage cans regularly and use lime or baking soda to cut odours;
●    keep garbage cans in a bear-proof container or in a closed garage until morning of pickup;
●    remove bird feeders at night and hang at a height of at least 2.5 metres;
●    keep barbecue grills and picnic tables clean;
●    use energized electric fencing to keep bears out of beehives, gardens, fruit trees and berry patches;
●    if a bear comes in a yard, do not panic. Do not approach the bear or shoot it. Do not allow any pet dogs to go outside.

Kevin Craig, a bear management biologist with the Department of Natural Resources, said people should learn to tolerate bears.

"Many bears are killed or injured when not causing problems," said Craig. "Sometimes bears are simply travelling through an area."

Most bears fear people and will leave when they see you, said Craig.

"However, if a bear woofs, snaps its jaws, slaps the ground or brush, or bluff charges, then you are too close,” he said. “If you find yourself in this situation, back away slowly, go inside and wait for the bear to leave."

Anyone who encounters an aggressive bear or has a recurring or persistent nuisance problem or suffers property damage from a black bear is advised to contact the local office of the Department of Natural Resources.

The tips on pet food, bird feed and garbage handling are also effective in reducing problems with raccoons, skunks, coyotes and foxes, which are a more common nuisance than bears.