Photo courtesy of Missouri Department of Conservation
Now is the time that Missouri’s growing population of black bears have left their winter dens and some wandering great distances in search of food, territory, and mates. With bears active and on the move, you need to “Be Bear Aware.”
In late spring and early summer bears are on the move in Missouri. This is when bears are the hungriest and searching for food. Yearling bears wander from where they were born looking for new areas to settle, as well. If you see or think you have a black bear nearby, remove anything that might attract them to your property such as birdfeeders, outdoor pet food, and BBQ-grills. You can report bear sightings and submit photos online at mdc.mo.gov/reportbears.
Tips to avoid attracting black bears to possible human-created food sources:
Store garbage, recyclables, and compost inside a secure building or in a bear-proof container.
Regularly clean and disinfect trash containers to minimize smells.
Keep grills and smokers clean and store them inside.
Don’t leave pet food outside.
Refrain from using birdfeeders from April through November.
Use electric fencing to keep bears away from beehives, chicken coops, vegetable gardens, orchards, and other potential food sources.
For more information on Missouri black bears and how to Be Bear Aware, visit mdc.mo.gov/bearaware.