Minnesota DNR Reminds You To Be Aware Of Bears This Spring

If may not fee like it, but spring is here and if you live anywhere near a bear habitat, the Minnesota DNR reminds you to be aware of bears in the area and to be aware of ways to help prevent one coming around your house.

According to the DNR, as bears emerge from hibernation, their metabolism gradually ramps up and they will begin looking for food at a time when berries and green vegetation can be scarce. Bears may be tempted by dog food, livestock feed, birdseed, compost or garbage.

Here are Minnesota DNR tips to help prevent a bear conflict around your yard:

• Do not leave food from barbeques and picnics outdoors, especially overnight. Coolers are not bear-proof.
• Replace hummingbird feeders with hanging flower baskets, which are also attractive to hummingbirds.
• Eiminate birdfeeders or hang them 10 feet up and 4 feet out from the nearest trees.
• Use a rope and pulley system to refill birdfeeders, and clean up seeds that spill onto the ground. Where bears are a nuisance, birdfeeders should be taken down between now and Dec. 1.
• Store pet food inside and feed pets inside. If pets must be fed outdoors, feed them only as much as they will eat.
• Clean and store barbeque grills after each use. Store them in a secure shed or garage away from windows and doors.
• Pick fruit from trees as soon as it’s ripe, and collect fallen fruit immediately.
• Limit compost piles to grass, leaves and garden clippings, and turn piles regularly. Do not add food scraps.
• Harvest garden produce as it matures. Locate gardens away from forests and shrubs that bears may use for cover.
• Use native plants in landscaping whenever possible. Clover and dandelions will attract bears.
• Do not put out feed for wildlife (like corn, oats, pellets or molasses blocks

Here are some things you can do to avoiding drawing bears to you garbage:

• Store garbage in bear-resistant garbage cans or dumpsters. Rubber or plastic garbage cans are not bear-proof.
• Keep garbage inside a secure building until the morning of pickup.
• Store recyclable containers, such as pop cans, inside.
• Store especially smelly garbage, such as meat or fish scraps, in a freezer until it can be taken to a refuse site.

Remember to never approach a bear and you can't seem to rid yourself of a big furry friend, despite following the tip above, use the link below to contact someone who can help.