Reminder of dos and don’ts after recent Huntsville sightings

Press Release

The Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) is reminding area residents to be aware of bear sightings in and around the Town of Huntsville and to take the necessary steps to avoid attracting bears into local neighbourhoods.

In the past week, there have been more than 20 bear sightings reported in the Town of Huntsville area including sightings in the Highway 60 and Muskoka Road 3 areas.

Of these reported incidents, the majority involved attractants such as garbage and apple trees.It’s important to note that the same bear can result in multiple sightings.

MNR is reminding the public that bears are often attracted to things such as garbage, bird food including suet, seed and nectar, odours from barbeques, and ripe fruit left on trees or the ground.

Removing these attractants can help keep bears out of the area.

Currently, natural foods for bears in this area may be below average. When the availability of natural foods is limited, bears will look for alternative food sources, often in communities.

When bears cannot gain access to non-natural foods such as garbage, they will not stay in the area.

QUICK FACTS

If a bear poses an immediate threat to public safety by exhibiting threatening or aggressive behaviour, call 911 or 1-888-380-1122.For advice on removing bear attractants, call the Bear Wise reporting line toll-free at 1-866-514-2327, hearing impaired (TTY) 1-705-945-7641. You will be connected with a live operator during bear season (open this year March 1 to November 30).

LEARN MORE

What to do in emergency and non-emergency situations.Visit ontario.ca/bearwise to learn more about how to avoid attracting bears and what to do if you encounter a bear.

Check out the past article and podcast on living around bears …

Mike McIntosh From Bear With Us

More Tips …

Bears entering populated areas aren’t always a threat to public safety, but safety is at risk when a bear exhibits threatening or aggressive behaviour.

Below are some tips to reduce your chances of attracting bears and what to do if you encounter one.

Reduce the chances of attracting bears by:

Storing garbage in waste containers with tight-fitting lids (indoors if possible).

Washing garbage containers and dumpsters frequently using a strong disinfectant to reduce odours.

Waiting until garbage pickup day to put out garbage.

Keeping pet food indoors.

Cleaning food residue and grease from outdoor barbecue grills, including the grease trap, after each use.

Storing bird feeders for the spring (you can offer birds natural alternatives, such as flowers, nesting boxes and fresh water).

Turning compost regularly and keeping meat, fish, or sweet foods like fruit out of your composter.

Keeping meat and fish scraps in the freezer until garbage collection day.

Picking fruits and berries from the ground and trees as they ripen.

If you encounter a bear:

Call 911 or your local police if your safety is at risk.

Remain calm – often the bear is just passing through and will move on if no food source is foundIf a bear is in a tree, leave it alone and remove other people and dogs from the areaKeep away from the bear, and do not block its exit.

Tell others of its location and warn them to keep away, and bring children and pets indoorsIf near a building or car, get inside as a precautionIf the bear was attracted to food or garbage, remove these items after the bear leaves to discourage the bear from returning.

Keep dogs on leash and away from bears.

If a bear approaches you:

Slowly back away while watching the bearIf a bear tries to approach you, do not turn and run — instead: make noise, throw rocks or sticks, and make yourself appear as big as possible.

Carry a noise-making device such as a whistle or air horn, and use it if necessaryIf the bear continues to approach you, keep backing away slowly while acting aggressively towards the bear.

If you are carrying bear repellent, make sure you are familiar with the product and how it is used, using it only if the bear is attacking you or is extremely close to you.

Bear attacks are rare, however, if a bear does attack, do not play dead unless you are sure it is a mother bear attacking you in defence of cubs.

Fighting back is the best chance of discouraging a bear from continuing its attack, so use a large stick, a rock, or anything else that you can to deter the bear.