DEC Campaign Helps NYers Live Responsibly With Black Bears

NEW YORK, NY — Summer is a busy time for bears, and the state of New York wants to help residents avoid negative interactions with the animals.

The state Department of Environmental Conservation recently announced that the DEC is joining the BearWise campaign as a cooperative member state.

BearWise was developed by biologists from state conservation agencies across the country to ensure people, regardless of location, learn to live responsibly with bears.

Using the BearWise basics, residents are encouraged to take simple steps at home or when outdoors to avoid negative interactions with black bears.

DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos said that every year his department’s biologists and technicians respond to hundreds of human-bear conflicts that are nearly all preventable.

“As New Yorkers head into the summer months, which is a busy time for bears,” he said, “DEC encourages the public to practice the BearWise basics by removing things bears find attractive like pet food and trash to help reduce the potential for negative interactions.”

The DEC said black bears are most active throughout the spring and summer months and can be attracted to human-created food sources, especially during dry weather periods when natural food sources are scarce.

BearWise recommends people take six basic steps to avoid attracting bears to areas around homes or neighborhoods:

• Never feed or approach black bears
• Secure food, garbage and recycling
• Remove bird feeders when bears are active
• Never leave pet food outdoors
• Clean and store grills and smokers
• Alert neighbors to bear activity

BearWise also recommends six basics when outdoors or vacationing in bear country:

• Stay alert and together
• Leave no trash or food scraps behind
• Keep dogs leashed
• Camp away from dense cover
• Secure food and cook as far away from tents/living quarters as possible
• Carry bear spray, know how to use it and know how to respond if you see a bear

For more information on how to live responsibly with black bears and how to be BearWise visit DEC's webpage or Bearwise.org.