Bears use their incredible sense of smell to zero in on food sources from many kilometres away, and they can be single-minded in their attempts to get at that food. For a bear, food comes in many forms, including garbage, pet food, barbecue leavings and over-ripe fruit in residential areas.

Conservation officers and bear awareness groups suggest adopting the following practices into your daily routine:

• Keep garbage secured in the house, garage or shed until pick-up day and return the containers to the secure site once they are emptied.
• Pick ripe and fallen fruit daily and remove any unused fruit trees.
• Use bird feeders only in winter.
• Keep the ground free of seeds and nuts or treats for the squirrels and other wildlife, as food is plentiful for them at this time of year.
• Clean the barbecue grill after each use. The smell of salmon or meat wafting from a grill for hours will draw bears.
• Store barbecues covered in a secure area.
• Bring pet food dishes inside, store the food inside and don’t leave spillage lying around.
• Don’t add meat products or uncooked food to compost, and turn it regularly and keep it covered.
• Work with your neighbours to create a bear aware and problem-free neighbourhood.

If you encounter a bear, remember the following:

• Remain calm. Do not panic.
• Stay away from the bear and bring children and pets indoors.
• Never approach the bear but also do not run from it.
• Warn others of the bear’s presence, without yelling.
• Once the bear has left, check your yard to ensure there are no attractants available.

To effectively manage problem bears, humans need to change their own behaviours. These measures need the endorsement and implementation of an entire neighbourhood to work. A single container of attractants will continue to draw existing problem bears and create even more problem bears.

If a bear is threatening, persistent or aggressive, the public can call the Report All Poachers and Polluters (RAPP) hotline toll-free at 1 877 952-RAPP (7277), #7277 on the TELUS Mobility Network, or visit the RAPP website. For more information on bears and bear-human conflicts, visit B.C.'s Bear Smart Community Program.