As anecdotal bear sightings have continued to be reported online by local residents, the Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife officials released five tips for living with bears this fall.
According to their release, fall means that Washington’s black bears are preparing for winter hibernation and searching for food, which can bring them into proximity with people.
Officials warn residents to avoid attracting them to their homes.
Follow these five tips to avoid negative bear interactions this fall:
WDFW says that a bear’s natural diet consists of items such as blueberries (256 calories) or huckleberries (166 calories). Access to excessively high calorie foods, such as garbage, birdseed (1,750 calories), and hummingbird feeder fluids (3,200 calories), may delay a bear’s natural hibernation patterns, adding that this is another important reason to remove such items.
If you have tried the recommendations listed above and are still experiencing a bear problem please call (360) 903-2936 to report to WDFW enforcement officers. In an emergency, call 911.
People can find more information about how to avoid conflict with bears at wdfw.wa.gov/species-habitats/species/ursus-americanus. Please contact your regional office at wdfw.wa.gov/about/regional-offices if you have questions regarding living with bears.