ARMSTRONG COUNTY, Pa. — Signs with that sound advice are posted in state parks and recreational areas throughout the state.
However, the advice also applies to homeowners living in residential areas.
Every June or July, female black bears oust last year's cubs from the family circle to fend for themselves in preparation for the summer mating season.
Also at this time of the year, bears begin eating voraciously to put on weight for the upcoming winter hibernation. Summer is a peak activity period for bears and the time when the Pennsylvania Game Commission gets the most bear nuisance calls.
With a steadily increasing black bear population in Pennsylvania, some estimates as high as 10,000, reports of bears raiding garbage cans and bird feeders in backyards are becoming more frequent.
While black bears are not normally a danger to humans, they can pose a danger to pets, especially dogs, and seeing a bruin in the yard can be a bit unnerving.
Recently a small bear, most likely a 2-year-old cub, was sighted in a Manor Township yard.
The PGC was notified and deputy Wildlife Conservation Officers Dave Shawl and Jim Swigart responded to the call and set up a bear trap.
The PGC says that bears are opportunistic eaters and their diet includes just about anything ranging from bird seed or garbage to disposed kitchen scraps, left over grease on a barbecue grill and livestock or pet food.
Bears have an amazing sense of smell that allows them to detect such potential food sources from miles away.
The PGC offers the following advice for anyone having a close encounter with a bear: Garbage, bird seed and pet food are the primary bear attractors. If possible keep such items in an enclosed area such as a storage shed or garage. Deputy WCO Dave Shawl said that pouring ammonia around and inside garbage cans will discourage bears.
“Some people use mothballs and that also works,” Shawl said. “But mothballs usually don't last as long as ammonia and may pose a danger to children or pets. A bit of ammonia is a good deterrent. If you have bee hives you should have an electric fence around them and you can make the fence more effective by hanging a few strips of raw bacon over the wire. Usually, once a bear gets a good jolt they are reluctant to return.”
The PGC also recommends not putting out garbage until the morning of collection and periodically washing out garbage cans with a water and bleach solution.
While bear attacks on humans are extremely rare, they can happen. The PGC advises that if anyone has a close encounter with a bear, the best course of action is to remain calm and quiet and slowly leave the area.
Sometimes when a bear sights a human it may stand up on its rear legs, the officials say. When this happens the bear is only trying to get a better look at the person or animal in its territory. If caught be surprise or agitated, a bear may make a bluff charge. In this case the PGC advises to not run – that may encourage the bear to give chase and they can run up to 35 mph. Instead, a person should throw their arms up and yell loudly.
Shawl also cautioned that under normal circumstances it is against Pennsylvania game laws to shoot bears except during specified hunting seasons, and then only with the proper license. The exception to the law would be if the life of a human, livestock or a pet is in danger. Shawl said that shooting a bear out of season without a solidly just cause could result in fines of hundreds of dollars and other punitive action.
The bottom line is the black bear, scientific name Ursus Americanus, (American Bear), is part of our wildlife heritage, and they are here to stay. That means we have to live with them and despite their propensity for mischief, appreciate and respect them.
Nuisance bear problems in Armstrong or surrounding counties may be reported to the Southwest Office of the Pennsylvania Game Commission by calling 877-877-7137.
This article was written by Channel 11’s news exchange partners at TribLIVE.