For Release: IMMEDIATE Contact: Kimberly Chupa
Monday, May 14, 2007 (518) 402-8000
DEC OFFERS TIPS TO HELP PREVENT ENCOUNTERS WITH BLACK BEARS AND AVOID CONFLICT WITH COYOTES
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) today reminded
campers, hikers and homeowners to take precautions against encounters with black bears while enjoying the outdoors, particularly in the Adirondack, Catskill and Allegany regions of New York State. DEC also informed New Yorkers that they may see coyotes more frequently during the spring and early summer because they will be raising their litters, and offered recommendations on how best to avoid conflicts with these animals.
Campers, Hikers, and Homeowners Can All Help Deter Bears
Average adult male black bears weigh about 300 pounds, while females average about 170 pounds. Black bears are omnivorous, eating grasses, berries, fruit, nuts, seeds, insects, grubs, and carrion. Bears are very opportunistic foragers and also readily take advantage of human sources of food such as agriculture crops, honey, bird seed, trash, and pet food when available.
The Adirondack region, with approximately 5,000 bears, contains the largest bear population in New York. The Catskill region contains more than 1,500 bears, and the Allegany region more than 300 bears. In recent years, bears have been expanding their range outside of these core areas.
Bears are intelligent and curious animals that spend a great deal of time exploring for food, and this can bring them close to humans. While a bear’s eyesight is comparable to a human’s, they primarily rely on their sense of smell to locate food. Bears are powerful animals and can turn over large rocks and logs in their efforts to obtain natural foods. They can easily break into backpacks, tents, coolers and food storage bags, and have also been known to break car windows in their search for food. Once bears associate a certain location or activity with food, they will continue to frequent that location and repeat the activity.
When bears learn to obtain food from humans, they can become bold and aggressive; as a result their natural foraging habits and behavior often change. Usually solitary, bears may become concentrated in areas near food sources, a situation which can lead to stress and injuries from physical conflicts with other bears and can increase the spread of diseases among bears. Also, when feeding from human sources, bears will often eat unhealthy materials such as soap, shaving cream, insect repellant and food packaging.
(MORE)
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The intentional and unintentional feeding of bears can be illegal and is unwise. The best way to avoid negative encounters with these animals is to eliminate feeding of them and thus prevent them from associating humans with a food source.
Black Bears Around Residences:
Black bears will become a nuisance and can cause significant damage in communities if they believe they can obtain an easy meal from bird feeders, garbage cans, dumpsters, barbecue grills, tents, vehicles, out-buildings or houses. Once a bear becomes a problem, DEC is often called on to relocate the offending animal. Bear relocations, however, are rarely effective permanent solutions to the problem. Relocated animals often return to their original capture site or simply continue their bad habits at a new location. If the circumstances that led to the original problem are not corrected, other bears will quickly be attracted to the site and the human/bear conflicts will persist. Bears are extremely mobile and have excellent homing abilities. The simplest way to avoid a nuisance encounter is to remove all food sources.
Because virtually all nuisance bear problems are the result of hungry bears being attracted to human food, pet food, bird food or garbage, chance encounters can be minimized by taking some simple precautions:
· Never feed bears – it’s unwise, in many circumstances illegal, and it causes and perpetuates nuisance bear activity;
· If you believe that bears are being fed, intentionally or unintentionally, immediately report it to DEC;
· Stop feeding birds as soon as the snow melts. Birds do not need supplemental food in the summer when natural foods are most abundant. Clean up all seed fragments and shells left over from winter feeding, as the smell will attract bears;
· Dispose of garbage as frequently as possible. Store it in clean, secure containers (top-latched, tied or chained). Tie off garbage bags before placing in container;
· Keep garbage in cans inside buildings whenever possible;
· If garbage is picked up at the curb, put the garbage out just before the scheduled pickup or place it in a roadside bear-resistant container. Do not put garbage out the night before curbside pick-up;
· Clean garbage cans frequently with ammonia;
· Do not add meat scraps, bones or melon rinds to your compost pile;
· Do not burn garbage, especially meat scraps and grease;
· Clean barbecue grills before and after use and, after they cool down, store them inside;
· Feed pets indoors and store pet food indoors. If pets must be fed outdoors, take in all uneaten food and dishes before dark;
· Turn off kitchen exhaust fans that vent to the outside whenever possible.
(MORE)
-3-
Black Bears Around Campsite and Hiking Trails:
Hikers and campers can avoid negative encounters with bears through the proper storage and management of bear attractants such as food and trash. While hiking and camping in New York, follow these practices:
· Keep food, toiletries and garbage in bear resistant containers at all times, take down only what is needed for cooking. Bear resistant canisters are a highly effective means for preventing bears from getting food, toiletries and garbage from back country campers. For more information about bear resistant containers, go to http://www.dec.ny.gov/animals/7225.html on the DEC website;
· Bear resistant containers are required to be used by all overnight campers within the Eastern High Peaks Wilderness Zone of the Adirondack Forest Preserve;
· If you have no choice but to hang your food, toiletries and garbage, use a “food hang” with a dark colored cord. The cord should be 75 feet long and the bag should be hung 15 feet above the ground and at least 10 feet away from other trees;
· Never leave food unattended unless it is in a bear resistant container or in a food hang;
· Never cook or eat in your sleeping area;
· Cook early.
When camping in developed campgrounds, campers should follow these rules:
· Do not leave coolers or food out at any time. Store them securely in either the trunk of your car or in the passenger area of your truck. Keep windows shut and food and coolers out of sight;
· Where food lockers are provided, food and coolers must be stored and locked inside;
· Clean up immediately after all meals;
· Keep grills, pots, pans, cooking utensils, and wash basins clean when not in use;
· Do not wash dishes under the drinking water faucets at campgrounds;
· Do not put grease, garbage, plastic diapers, cans, bottles or other refuse into the fireplace;
· Do not keep food or coolers in your tent;
· Do not wear clothing to bed that was worn while preparing or eating meals;
· Keep campsites as clean as possible. Bring all garbage and recyclables to the recycling center each day by 8 p.m.
While these rules are required to be followed at DEC campgrounds, campers at other private and public campgrounds are also strongly encouraged to follow these practices to avoid bear encounters.
The glimpse of a black bear at a distance can be a safe and enjoyable outdoor experience; close encounters with bears, however, should be avoided. Never approach or surround a bear, as bears aggressively defend themselves when they feel threatened or cornered. Be cautious around cubs, as adult female bears are protective of their young.
(MORE)
-4-
Do not throw backpacks or food bags at an approaching bear, this practice will only encourage bears to approach and “bully” people to get food. Use noise to scare bears away - yell, clap or bang pots immediately upon sighting a bear near your campsite. Never run from a bear. If you feel threatened, back away slowly while yelling at the animal. Avoid walking trails at night to prevent chance encounters.
People are More Likely to See Coyotes in the Spring
Coyotes live throughout upstate New York and the period from April through June is the peak of their pup-rearing activity. Coyotes have a high demand for food at this time of the year, and residents are more likely to see coyotes because of their increased activity in our environment.
Coyotes are seen in both developed and rural areas. Homeowners should take sensible precautions to avoid attracting coyotes to their property. DEC has issued the following recommendations to reduce the chances for a negative encounter with a coyote:
· Never feed or attempt to get close to a coyote;
· Keep pets under control, and be sure not to leave them out at night. Coyotes may kill or injure a pet, especially small dogs and cats. Walk your dog on a leash and accompany your pet outside, especially at night. Provide secure shelters for poultry, rabbits, and other vulnerable animals;
· Control other sources of food that may attract a coyote: keep your trash secure and compost bins covered; stop feeding birds as soon as the snow melts and clean up all seed fragments and shells left over from winter feeding as the smell may attract coyotes; and keep dog and cat food bowls inside. Coyotes that rely on wild food sources remain wild and wary of people;
· Coyotes like areas where they can hide, yet still be near food. You can help deter coyotes by thinning brushy areas in your yard and closing off crawl spaces. Coyotes may use areas under outbuildings for resting or raising young;
· If others in your neighborhood are attracting coyotes, tell them about the hazards posed by coyotes and ask them to take the measures recommended above.
Never try to get close to a coyote. Any coyote that shows unusual boldness or acts tame should be avoided. Coyote attacks directed towards people have occurred in the western United States, and aggressive coyote behavior has also been reported in the eastern United States and in New York State.
DEC estimates that there are currently about 30,000 coyotes statewide. As coyotes become more adapted to living near people, hearing or seeing coyotes may become more common. These increased sightings should not be interpreted as aggressive behavior. A coyote seen in overgrown fields, brushy areas, woodlands, or habitats in between these areas of natural cover is normal.
(MORE)
-5-
In 2005, DEC and Cornell University began an in-depth, five-year study of coyote ecology and behavior in the urban and suburban areas of New York. This research will comprehensively evaluate coyote behavior and activity in areas where human-coyote interactions are more likely. The research will also evaluate the public’s attitudes and behaviors relating to coyotes.
Should anyone notice a coyote acting strangely or causing a nuisance, call the nearest regional DEC office to report the animal. Contact information for all DEC regional offices can be found at http://www.dec.ny.gov/about/558.html on the DEC website.
For more information on coyotes and preventing conflicts with coyotes in New York State, visit http://www.dec.ny.gov/animals/6971.html on the DEC website.
For additional information about bears in New York State and the initiatives DEC is employing to help study and manage the population, visit http://www.dec.ny.gov/animals/6960.html on the DEC website.
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07-55
Monday, May 14, 2007 (518) 402-8000
DEC OFFERS TIPS TO HELP PREVENT ENCOUNTERS WITH BLACK BEARS AND AVOID CONFLICT WITH COYOTES
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) today reminded
campers, hikers and homeowners to take precautions against encounters with black bears while enjoying the outdoors, particularly in the Adirondack, Catskill and Allegany regions of New York State. DEC also informed New Yorkers that they may see coyotes more frequently during the spring and early summer because they will be raising their litters, and offered recommendations on how best to avoid conflicts with these animals.
Campers, Hikers, and Homeowners Can All Help Deter Bears
Average adult male black bears weigh about 300 pounds, while females average about 170 pounds. Black bears are omnivorous, eating grasses, berries, fruit, nuts, seeds, insects, grubs, and carrion. Bears are very opportunistic foragers and also readily take advantage of human sources of food such as agriculture crops, honey, bird seed, trash, and pet food when available.
The Adirondack region, with approximately 5,000 bears, contains the largest bear population in New York. The Catskill region contains more than 1,500 bears, and the Allegany region more than 300 bears. In recent years, bears have been expanding their range outside of these core areas.
Bears are intelligent and curious animals that spend a great deal of time exploring for food, and this can bring them close to humans. While a bear’s eyesight is comparable to a human’s, they primarily rely on their sense of smell to locate food. Bears are powerful animals and can turn over large rocks and logs in their efforts to obtain natural foods. They can easily break into backpacks, tents, coolers and food storage bags, and have also been known to break car windows in their search for food. Once bears associate a certain location or activity with food, they will continue to frequent that location and repeat the activity.
When bears learn to obtain food from humans, they can become bold and aggressive; as a result their natural foraging habits and behavior often change. Usually solitary, bears may become concentrated in areas near food sources, a situation which can lead to stress and injuries from physical conflicts with other bears and can increase the spread of diseases among bears. Also, when feeding from human sources, bears will often eat unhealthy materials such as soap, shaving cream, insect repellant and food packaging.
(MORE)
-2-
The intentional and unintentional feeding of bears can be illegal and is unwise. The best way to avoid negative encounters with these animals is to eliminate feeding of them and thus prevent them from associating humans with a food source.
Black Bears Around Residences:
Black bears will become a nuisance and can cause significant damage in communities if they believe they can obtain an easy meal from bird feeders, garbage cans, dumpsters, barbecue grills, tents, vehicles, out-buildings or houses. Once a bear becomes a problem, DEC is often called on to relocate the offending animal. Bear relocations, however, are rarely effective permanent solutions to the problem. Relocated animals often return to their original capture site or simply continue their bad habits at a new location. If the circumstances that led to the original problem are not corrected, other bears will quickly be attracted to the site and the human/bear conflicts will persist. Bears are extremely mobile and have excellent homing abilities. The simplest way to avoid a nuisance encounter is to remove all food sources.
Because virtually all nuisance bear problems are the result of hungry bears being attracted to human food, pet food, bird food or garbage, chance encounters can be minimized by taking some simple precautions:
· Never feed bears – it’s unwise, in many circumstances illegal, and it causes and perpetuates nuisance bear activity;
· If you believe that bears are being fed, intentionally or unintentionally, immediately report it to DEC;
· Stop feeding birds as soon as the snow melts. Birds do not need supplemental food in the summer when natural foods are most abundant. Clean up all seed fragments and shells left over from winter feeding, as the smell will attract bears;
· Dispose of garbage as frequently as possible. Store it in clean, secure containers (top-latched, tied or chained). Tie off garbage bags before placing in container;
· Keep garbage in cans inside buildings whenever possible;
· If garbage is picked up at the curb, put the garbage out just before the scheduled pickup or place it in a roadside bear-resistant container. Do not put garbage out the night before curbside pick-up;
· Clean garbage cans frequently with ammonia;
· Do not add meat scraps, bones or melon rinds to your compost pile;
· Do not burn garbage, especially meat scraps and grease;
· Clean barbecue grills before and after use and, after they cool down, store them inside;
· Feed pets indoors and store pet food indoors. If pets must be fed outdoors, take in all uneaten food and dishes before dark;
· Turn off kitchen exhaust fans that vent to the outside whenever possible.
(MORE)
-3-
Black Bears Around Campsite and Hiking Trails:
Hikers and campers can avoid negative encounters with bears through the proper storage and management of bear attractants such as food and trash. While hiking and camping in New York, follow these practices:
· Keep food, toiletries and garbage in bear resistant containers at all times, take down only what is needed for cooking. Bear resistant canisters are a highly effective means for preventing bears from getting food, toiletries and garbage from back country campers. For more information about bear resistant containers, go to http://www.dec.ny.gov/animals/7225.html on the DEC website;
· Bear resistant containers are required to be used by all overnight campers within the Eastern High Peaks Wilderness Zone of the Adirondack Forest Preserve;
· If you have no choice but to hang your food, toiletries and garbage, use a “food hang” with a dark colored cord. The cord should be 75 feet long and the bag should be hung 15 feet above the ground and at least 10 feet away from other trees;
· Never leave food unattended unless it is in a bear resistant container or in a food hang;
· Never cook or eat in your sleeping area;
· Cook early.
When camping in developed campgrounds, campers should follow these rules:
· Do not leave coolers or food out at any time. Store them securely in either the trunk of your car or in the passenger area of your truck. Keep windows shut and food and coolers out of sight;
· Where food lockers are provided, food and coolers must be stored and locked inside;
· Clean up immediately after all meals;
· Keep grills, pots, pans, cooking utensils, and wash basins clean when not in use;
· Do not wash dishes under the drinking water faucets at campgrounds;
· Do not put grease, garbage, plastic diapers, cans, bottles or other refuse into the fireplace;
· Do not keep food or coolers in your tent;
· Do not wear clothing to bed that was worn while preparing or eating meals;
· Keep campsites as clean as possible. Bring all garbage and recyclables to the recycling center each day by 8 p.m.
While these rules are required to be followed at DEC campgrounds, campers at other private and public campgrounds are also strongly encouraged to follow these practices to avoid bear encounters.
The glimpse of a black bear at a distance can be a safe and enjoyable outdoor experience; close encounters with bears, however, should be avoided. Never approach or surround a bear, as bears aggressively defend themselves when they feel threatened or cornered. Be cautious around cubs, as adult female bears are protective of their young.
(MORE)
-4-
Do not throw backpacks or food bags at an approaching bear, this practice will only encourage bears to approach and “bully” people to get food. Use noise to scare bears away - yell, clap or bang pots immediately upon sighting a bear near your campsite. Never run from a bear. If you feel threatened, back away slowly while yelling at the animal. Avoid walking trails at night to prevent chance encounters.
People are More Likely to See Coyotes in the Spring
Coyotes live throughout upstate New York and the period from April through June is the peak of their pup-rearing activity. Coyotes have a high demand for food at this time of the year, and residents are more likely to see coyotes because of their increased activity in our environment.
Coyotes are seen in both developed and rural areas. Homeowners should take sensible precautions to avoid attracting coyotes to their property. DEC has issued the following recommendations to reduce the chances for a negative encounter with a coyote:
· Never feed or attempt to get close to a coyote;
· Keep pets under control, and be sure not to leave them out at night. Coyotes may kill or injure a pet, especially small dogs and cats. Walk your dog on a leash and accompany your pet outside, especially at night. Provide secure shelters for poultry, rabbits, and other vulnerable animals;
· Control other sources of food that may attract a coyote: keep your trash secure and compost bins covered; stop feeding birds as soon as the snow melts and clean up all seed fragments and shells left over from winter feeding as the smell may attract coyotes; and keep dog and cat food bowls inside. Coyotes that rely on wild food sources remain wild and wary of people;
· Coyotes like areas where they can hide, yet still be near food. You can help deter coyotes by thinning brushy areas in your yard and closing off crawl spaces. Coyotes may use areas under outbuildings for resting or raising young;
· If others in your neighborhood are attracting coyotes, tell them about the hazards posed by coyotes and ask them to take the measures recommended above.
Never try to get close to a coyote. Any coyote that shows unusual boldness or acts tame should be avoided. Coyote attacks directed towards people have occurred in the western United States, and aggressive coyote behavior has also been reported in the eastern United States and in New York State.
DEC estimates that there are currently about 30,000 coyotes statewide. As coyotes become more adapted to living near people, hearing or seeing coyotes may become more common. These increased sightings should not be interpreted as aggressive behavior. A coyote seen in overgrown fields, brushy areas, woodlands, or habitats in between these areas of natural cover is normal.
(MORE)
-5-
In 2005, DEC and Cornell University began an in-depth, five-year study of coyote ecology and behavior in the urban and suburban areas of New York. This research will comprehensively evaluate coyote behavior and activity in areas where human-coyote interactions are more likely. The research will also evaluate the public’s attitudes and behaviors relating to coyotes.
Should anyone notice a coyote acting strangely or causing a nuisance, call the nearest regional DEC office to report the animal. Contact information for all DEC regional offices can be found at http://www.dec.ny.gov/about/558.html on the DEC website.
For more information on coyotes and preventing conflicts with coyotes in New York State, visit http://www.dec.ny.gov/animals/6971.html on the DEC website.
For additional information about bears in New York State and the initiatives DEC is employing to help study and manage the population, visit http://www.dec.ny.gov/animals/6960.html on the DEC website.
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07-55
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