The number of black bear sightings this season is like nothing we’ve seen before in Southeastern Massachusetts. Steve Wright, Southeastern District Wildlife Biologist for the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries & Wildlife, said there are “at least a few” black bears in our neighborhood, young male bears out looking for a new area to call home.
It looks like bears will be among us for the foreseeable future and we should equip ourselves with the knowledge of what to do and how to discourage them for setting up housekeeping near our homes.
Check out the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife at https://www.mass.gov/doc/living-with-black-bears-fact-sheet/download to get the facts and what to do and not to do with black bears nearby.
The most important item is to make sure all food is put securely away. All trash should be secured. Bird feeders should be taken in. Perhaps only feed them when bears are sleeping – December through March.
Black bears are large – males weigh in at between 130 to 600 pounds. Females from 100 to 400 pounds. They have good eyesight and hearing, and an extraordinary sense of smell to locate food and sense danger. They have good memories and can remember where was. If you have corn growing in your garden, it is a favorite of bears, too.