if you see a bear in your yard
If a bear is simply passing though please let it be. You can set boundaries with a bear. If you have a large or rural property, you may decide to allow it to stop and feed on dandelions or clover at a safe distance. A bear should never be allowed to feel comfortable while feeding on anthropogenic attractants in your yard. The bear is now in your home, so do what you can to safely discourage the bear from lingering. The safest and absolutely most effective method is to MANAGE YOUR ATTRACTANTS! This will keep you and the bears safe.
And yes, you should scare a bear away from attractants like garbage, bird feeders, or pet food. Hazing them reinforces their natural fear of humans and prevents them from becoming "food-conditioned," which is a leading cause of bears being killed.
How to Safely Scare a Black Bear
When hazing, it is important to begin with the minimum and increase intensity only if needed. Bears can become accustomed to our voices and immune to deterrents. Your attitude is the most important aspect while hazing. Take on a dominant attitude, reflected in a stern voice when using hazing tools. AND MEAN IT!
Bring your children and pets inside. DO NOT watch the bear displaying inappropriate behaviour from your window or balcony, nor take photographs at this time. It knows perfectly well where you are and this kind of behaviour shows it that you are being submissive in “your own den’. It teaches the bear that it can do whatever it feels like around YOUR HOME!
Have bear spray ready: Always have bear spray on hand as a backup in case the bear does not leave immediately.
Haze as a group: The more people involved, the safer and more effective the hazing outcome will be.
Make yourself known: From a safe location, like your house or a vehicle, assert your dominance by standing tall and waving your arms.
Make loud noises: Yell firmly, “Get out of here bear!” Clap your hands, bang pots and pans, AND REALLY MEAN IT!
Use deterrents: You can use your car horn, air horns, bear bangers, or a variety of other noise makers and deterrents, like motion-activated sprinklers or alarms. Waving an empty plastic garbage bag can do the trick too! MORE ABOUT DETERRENTS!
When NOT to Scare a Bear
While hazing is important for long term safety, there are specific situations where you should not scare a bear:
It has no escape route: Do not haze a bear if it would be forced towards people, pets, or busy roads.
It has cubs: Black bear moms can react defensively, but it is rare. Grizzly mothers can become highly defensively if they feel their cubs are threatened.
It is in the wild: Leave bears alone in their natural habitat, like the forest, and not near human property.
It is already running away: If a bear is already fleeing or climbing a tree to get away from you, stop hazing and let it go.
Once the bear has left, remove all attractants from the yard. Keep in mind that it will likely return several times to check for the same food it found previously.
Make sure you keep your doors and windows closed and locked. Bears are highly intelligent and are keenly aware of where their food supply formerly originated. Entering a home almost always ensures the demise of a bear. Consider using an ‘UNWELCOME MAT’. *CONSTRUCT YOUR OWN*
Remind your neighbours to secure all garbage and remove attractants. Please do so without inviting extra attention by inviting friends and neighbours to watch the bear.
If you see a bear up a tree, give it space and go inside. Remember not to be a looky-loo. A black bear will climb a tree because it is anxious and stressed. Give it time. The bear may wait until nightfall to come down.
Be aware that bears can and do run down trees in a flash, even if you, your kids or your dog are below.
Although bears tend to be most active during the early morning and early evening hours, they may come around at any time during the day or night. Always check for bears and other wildlife and make noise before letting your pet outside.