Food and Garbage

Bears have a strong sense of smell and are easily lured by the odor generated by trash, barbecues, and dog and cat food left outside. If you live in bear country, don’t leave food outside. Store outside garbage in bear-proof containers, or put it outside just before the garbage pick-up time. Even with bear-proof garbage containers, garbage should be taken to a dump site at least twice a week. Keep barbecue grills clean or stored in closed sheds or other buildings.

Hunting advocates often claim that bear nuisance complaints are an indication of a large bear population. But humans can have a direct affect on local bear populations simply by keeping artificial food sources, such as garbage, away from bears. Healthier, fatter sows will have larger litters. The results of a Minnesota study indicate that bears who feed on garbage will have litters with an average of four cubs, compared to an average litter size of two and a half cubs for bears who eat only natural food supplies.