Bear sightings may ramp up across Mississippi. Why your house could be a target.
The end of summer means back to school, the beginning of football season and (hopefully) cooler days.
However, for Mississippi’s black bears, late summer means it is time to eat any and all food that’s available.
This is nature, after all.
“Black bear sightings in Mississippi have been on the rise in the last few years,” said Brad Young of Mississippi Wildlife, Fisheries, & Parks. “It is difficult to determine, whether this is due to an increase in the actual number of bears in the state or if it is the result of increased public awareness of bears.”
As this time approaches, state wildlife agents urge residents to be more than ready for bear sightings by cleaning up any loose trash and securing food storage bins/refrigerators or other items that may entice bears.
“It’s not uncommon for human-bear conflicts to intensify in late summer, as bears have been ‘trained’ and ‘educated’ all summer long about finding food around homes and neighborhoods where unsecured bear attractants often abound,” said Adam Hammond for Georgia’s Wildlife Resources Division. “Denying bears a free meal and forcing them to look elsewhere in their search for food is still the best course of action – for people and for the bears.”
Even bird feeders and pet food bowls can become attractive to bears, as it is seen as “easy food” to them and they will keep coming back, noted Hammond.
And if they keep coming back, danger could occur to your home, your pets or even you.
Female bears are especially busy this time of year. They are looking for food for themselves and their cubs, and they could be easily angered if approached or shooed away. Angry bears lash out and could cause damage to vehicles and houses, so it is important to stay far away if a bear is sighted.
According to bear biologists, “Watching a bear can be a wonderful experience. As more people live close to their woodland homes, the chances of seeing black bears are rising. The key is to stay at a safe distance. Our job is to give bears plenty of space to live and to find their own healthy, natural foods. Their safety and ours depend on how we behave in bear country.”
Making it more difficult for bears to scrounge up food around your house will make it safer and more enjoyable for everyone. It is truly a win-win.
For more information about bears, how to stay safe in a bear sighting and how to prepare your home for this season, visit the Mississippi Wildlife, Fisheries, & Parks website, the Georgia Wildlife Resources Division website or BearWise.org.
This story was originally published September 19, 2022 at 10:16 AM.
