Use this search box to find articles that have run in our newspapers over the last several years.
Date: 6/15/2018
AGAWAM – With black bear populations on the rise in Western Massachusetts, a state wildlife expert is warning residents to keep their yards free from food and trash.
On June 6, Agawam resident Casey Corbin was relaxing in her home on 228 Adam St. when she got up to refill her glass of water. She walked over to her dispenser, located in the corner of her house next to three large windows, and glanced outside – what she saw stopped her in her tracks. Corbin found herself staring at a six-foot-tall black bear standing on its hind legs. The bear was picking at the birdfeeder by her driveway, and was accompanied by three young cubs.
“I started screaming and my dog started freaking out. The bear was eating out of the birdfeeder – we have one that’s squirrel proof, so she was doing a very good job,” said Corbin. “All these thoughts went through my head afterwards – more than during because I was so scared. After, I thought, ‘What if it did break through my windows to get to my dog?’ I was just freaking out and panicking the whole time.”
The bears stayed in her yard for around 15 minutes, she explained, before walking over to her neighbor’s garden. Corbin filmed the encounter and posted it onto the “Agawam, MA” Facebook forum, an open forum designed to connect residents, to warn others. Several members commented saying they saw the bears as well.
According to Dave Wattles, black bear and furbearer biologist for the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife, birdfeeders are the number one attraction for bears in residential areas.
“People who have birdfeeders have the misconception that they are feeding birds, but in reality, they are putting out a ‘wildlife’ feeder. They are essentially putting food on their property that is free for wild animals to take advantage of,” he said. “No question, bears will take advantage of the easy meal feeders provide.”
Although bears are considered omnivores – meaning they eat both vegetation and meat – they are susceptible to becoming accustomed to human-associated foods, according to Mass.gov. They will enter residential areas seeking birdfeeders, orchards, beehives and unsecured trash.
Because bears have “excellent” long-term memory, and can remember the location of food sources years after their first visit, they are more likely to cause damage and become a nuisance once habituated on human-associated foods.
Removal of food sources and other attractants is key to preventing problems with bears, said Wattles.
“This is where we need food removal to be a community-wide effort,” he said. “If there are 10 houses on the street, and two of them are providing food, as the bear goes to try to access food at those properties it could potentially go and check out the other yards as well.”
The key steps, according to Mass.gov, to preventing a bear encounter on your property are:
• Remove birdfeeders: In general, most bears are denned from mid-December through February. If you choose to put out bird feeders, doing so during this time may decrease the chance of a bear coming to your feeder. In mild winters, some bears may be active year-round. Bring in any feeders at the first sign of bear activity.
• Secure trash: Put trash barrels out the morning of trash pickup, not the previous evening. Store all garbage in closed containers in a garage or outbuilding. Using double bags or sprinkling with ammonia will help reduce odors. If you compost, do not throw meat scraps, greasy, oily, or sweet materials in your compost pile. Trash should always be placed inside the dumpster, and never left accessible to bears.
•?Remove other attractants: Always feed pets indoors. Clean greasy barbecues and grills after each use. Do not leave food scraps, grease containers, or spilled grease in your yard. If you have bees or chickens, use electric fencing to safeguard hives and coops. Electric fences are most effective when put up and continuously charged before the first damage occurs. Keep open, mowed areas on all sides of hives and coops and do not locate hives or coops in abandoned areas or close to brushy, overgrown areas.
It’s also important to note black bears are more active during early morning and late evening hours in the spring and in summer.
If you do encounter a bear on your property, there are a few steps to take to protect yourself, depending on where you are located. Wattles said black bears are not inherently aggressive – their first response is to leave, accompanied by their young.
“To preface that, it’s important to understand that even though they’re not aggressive, you still need to give them space because they are a large and powerful animal with the potential to do harm,” he said. “It’s not in their nature to do so, but if people see a bear, give it space and don’t approach it. Let the bear move on.”
If you are inside, the wildlife expert explained residents should never confront the bear – wait until it leaves – and to make sure all pets are indoors.
If you are outside, let the bear know you’re there.
“If it’s across the yard, say something like ‘Hey, bear,’ while there is still space between you and it so it knows you’re there and doesn’t get surprised,” he said. “Start slowly backing away and talking to the bear, keeping your eyes on it while increasing the space. Go inside or get into a vehicle so you’re protected from the bear.”
The worst move to make during a confrontation with a bear is to turn around and run, he said, because it triggers a “natural chase instinct.”
When you’ve reached a safe position, call the local police and alert them of the sighting and location.
For more information on bears and safety tips, go to https://www.mass.gov/black-bears-in-massachusetts.