Several hundred bears, especially in the northern portion of Butler County, are now becoming active after winter hibernation.
Early to mid-April is the time of year when the bears start emerging from their dens and prowling for food. Sometimes that search for food brings them in neighborhoods around homes until natural foods become more readily available as we progress into summertime.
“Pennsylvania residents need to learn how to co-habitate with bears because relocating every bear people see is not a realistic solution,” Chip Brunst, information and education supervisor for the Pennsylvania Game Commission’s Northwest Region. “People, instead, need to bear-proof their homes and properties so bears do not learn bad habits that coming near people means getting free and easy food.”
Brunst says there are a lot more bears in Butler County than most people would realize, but he reaffirms that most of them are nocturnal, and they are more afraid of humans than humans are of them.
“They don’t want to interact with people,” he said.
He urges people not to feed bears- it’s against the law, he says. Don’t get close enough to take pictures of them. Keep your garbage inside until pick-up day, and remove bird feeders if you notice bears around your property.
“Remove the reason why they want to be there- which is finding a free meal- and the bear won’t be back in your yard,” he said.
Anyone who sees a bear while taking a walk outside should give them a wide berth and back up the way you came if possible. Also, Brunst suggests always keep dogs on a leash to prevent confrontations between the animals.
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