Bears can be a pretty scary site and cause
a great deal of damage to bird feeders, trash cans, bee hives etc.
Black Bears
Scientific Name: Ursus americanus
Brown Bears (Grizzlies)
Scientific Name: Ursus arctos
Biology
Diet: omnivorous, eating almost anything from berries, corn, acorns, beechnuts, or even grass to table scraps, carrion, honey and insects.
Intelligent and curious:
Size: Adults usually weigh from 200 to 600 pounds, with
rare individuals weighing up to 800 pounds. An adult male normally
weighs more than an adult female, sometimes twice as much.
Activity: Bears may be on the move at anytime, but they're usually most
active during evening and morning hours.
Sign
Toe Pad Marks on Hind Feet 5 (sometimes 4)
Heel Pad Marks Hindfeet: 7 to 9 inches (180-230 mm) long and 5 inches
(125 mm) wide
Size of Front Feet 4 inches (100mm
Claw Marks Occasionally
Hindprints look human-like.
Stride length of 1
(300 mm) to 3 feet (900 mm).
Bear Damage
Bear scrape on tree Photo Credits: USDA-Nat'l Wildlife Research Center
Beehives,
garbage dumps, trash cans,
bird feeders,
kill livestock,
trees,
trample crops, and
occasionally kill humans.
Bear Damage Control
Habitat Modification
Remove food sources--bears have tremendous caloric needs. They will raid bird feeders, trash cans, even break into homes and vehicles in search of food. Problems can be severe when wild food sources become scarce.
Electric fences have proven effective in protecting beehives.
Repellents
Hazing--efficacy of rubber bullets are being investigated.
Capscaisin spray.
Shooting
Bears are usually hunted with the assistance of dogs.
Do not feed wildlife. Food placed outside for wildlife, such
as corn for squirrels or deer, may attract bears. Reconsider
putting squash, pumpkins, corn stalks or other Halloween or
holiday decorations outside that also may attract bears. Even
bird feeders can become "bear magnets." Tips for how to safely
feed birds for those in prime bear areas include: restrict
feeding season to when bears den, which is primarily from late
November through late March; avoid foods that are particularly
attractive for bears, such as sunflower seeds, hummingbird
nectar mixes or suet; bring feeders inside at night; or suspend
feeders from high crosswires.
Keep it clean. Don't place garbage outside until pick-up day;
don't throw table scraps out back for animals to eat; don't add
fruit or vegetable wastes to your compost pile; and thoroughly clean your
barbecue grill after every use. If you feed pets outdoors, consider
placing food dishes inside overnight. Encourage your neighbors to do
the same.
Keep your distance. If a bear shows up in your backyard, stay
calm. From a safe distance, shout at it like you would to chase an
unwanted dog. If the bear won't leave, slowly retreat and call the
nearest Game Commission regional office or local police department
for assistance.
Eliminate temptation. Bears that visit your area are often drawn
there. Neighbors need to work together to reduce an area's appeal to
bears. Ask area businesses to keep dumpsters closed and bear-proofed
(chained or locked shut).
Check please! If your dog is barking, or cat is clawing at the
door to get in, try to determine what has alarmed your pet. But do
it cautiously, using outside lights to full advantage and from a
safe position, such as a porch or an upstairs window. All
unrecognizable outside noises and disturbances should be checked,
but don't do it on foot with a flashlight. Black bears blend in too
well with nighttime surroundings providing the chance for a close
encounter. If bears have been sighted near your home, it is a good
practice to turn on a light and check the backyard before taking
pets out at night. "Ideally, we want bears to pass by residential
areas without finding a food reward that would cause them to return
and become a problem,"
Stay Calm. If you see a bear and it hasn't seen you, leave the
area calmly. Talk to the bear while moving away to help it discover
your presence. Choose a route that will not intersect with the bear
if it is moving.
Get Back. If you have surprised a bear, slowly back away while
quietly talking. Face the bear, but avoid direct eye contact. Do not
turn and run; rapid movement may be perceived as danger to a bear
that is already feeling threatened.
Avoid blocking the bear's only escape route and try to move away
from any cubs you see or hear. Do not attempt to climb a tree. A
female bear can falsely interpret this as an attempt to get at her
cubs, even though the cubs may be in a different tree. Pay
Attention. If a bear is displaying signs of nervousness or
discomfort with your presence, such as pacing, swinging its head, or
popping its jaws, leave the area. Some bears may bluff charge to
within a few feet. If this occurs, stand your ground, wave your arms
wildly, and shout at the bear. Turning and running could elicit a
chase and you cannot outrun a bear. Bears that appear to be stalking
should be confronted and made aware of your willingness to defend by
waving your arms and yelling while you continue to back away.
Fight Back. If a bear attacks, fight back as you continue to
leave the area. Bears have been driven away with rocks, sticks,
binoculars, car keys, or even bare hands. "Learning about bears and
being aware of their habits is a responsibility that comes with
living in rural Pennsylvania or recreating in the outdoors," More
information on black bears is available on the Game Commission's
website (www.pgc.state.pa.us)
by selecting on "Hunting,"
and then clicking on the black bear photograph.
Video Series: Produced in cooperation with Safety in Bear Country Society.
These links are comprised of pages dedicated to providing more information on
the biology and control of bears in all their varieties. Before initiating any
bear control measures be sure to check with appropriate federal and
state agencies. Links to those agencies can be found in the navigation
bar above.
Size of Front Feet 4 inches (100mm 
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