With warmer weather arriving and spring bringing renewed outdoor activity, the Missouri Department of Conservation is reminding residents to be BearWise.
Missouri’s black bear population, estimated at more than 1,000, is becoming more active after winter and will be searching for food. MDC warns that unsecured food sources around homes, garages and outbuildings can attract hungry bears.
Conservation officials say keeping yards and properties free of food attractants is in the best interest of both people and bears. Intentionally feeding bears can make them too comfortable around humans and may lead them to damage property while searching for food.
“When bears lose their fear of humans, they could approach people in search of food or may become defensive of the food sources they find near people, which could lead to conflict,” MDC said in a release.
Officials noted that bears involved in these situations cannot be relocated and often must be destroyed.
“A fed bear is a dead bear,” the agency said.
MDC encourages residents in bear country to secure garbage, recyclables and compost inside sturdy buildings or in bear-resistant containers. People should also avoid leaving pet food and pet bowls outdoors, and bird feeders should be taken down when bears are active in the area.
For more information about living responsibly in bear country, visit bearwise. org. To report a bear sighting, visit mdc.mo.gov/ bearwise.
