The presence of bears near human residences is a growing challenge, making proactive property management necessary for public safety and wildlife conservation. Bears are naturally driven by their powerful sense of smell, leading them to investigate any potential food source. The ultimate goal is to condition bears to view the area as a high-risk, low-reward environment, causing them to move on to natural foraging areas. Preventing bears from gaining access to human-provided food is the single most effective action in promoting human-bear coexistence.
Eliminating Common Food Attractants
The most common reason a bear approaches a home is the presence of easily accessible, high-calorie food, which often leads to habituation. Garbage is a primary attractant, and securing it requires more than a simple lid. Bear-resistant containers, often certified by the Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee (IGBC), use specialized latches or screw-top designs that prevent bears from accessing the contents.
Even with certified containers, odor control is important since bears can smell food from far away. Waste and recycling should be stored inside a locked garage or hard-sided structure until the morning of collection, never the night before. For items with strong odors, like meat scraps, temporary storage in a freezer until collection day can reduce their scent profile.
Other outdoor food sources must be managed with equal diligence, including pet food and outdoor grills. Pet food bowls should never be left outside overnight, and any leftover food should be brought inside immediately after a pet finishes eating. Outdoor grills must be thoroughly cleaned after every use, burning off any remaining food residue and grease.
If your grill has a grease trap, it should be emptied and cleaned promptly, as residual cooking odors are highly attractive to bears. Bird feeders should be removed entirely during the active bear season. If year-round feeding is desired, consider using a specialized pole system that keeps the feeder at least 12 feet from the ground and 8 feet from any tree trunk. Also, clean up all spilled seed underneath the feeder.
Implementing Physical Security Measures
Physical barriers act as a secondary defense, targeting structures that may contain attractants, such as sheds, coops, and beehives. The most effective long-term physical exclusion method is a properly installed low-voltage electric fence. An energizer with a minimum output of 0.5 to 0.7 joules is recommended for bear deterrence, ensuring the shock is sufficient to discourage repeat visits.
For a permanent installation, the fence should consist of at least five horizontal wires. The lowest wire should be 8 to 12 inches above the ground and the highest wire between 36 and 42 inches high. This spacing prevents a bear from stepping over or crawling under the wires without making contact. The fence must maintain a voltage of at least 6,000 volts to be effective, requiring routine checks with a voltmeter to ensure performance.
When protecting a structure like a chicken coop or beehive, the electric fence should be placed three to five feet away from the structure itself. This forces the bear to encounter the deterrent before reaching the target. Finally, ground-level windows and doors on homes and garages should be secured. Bears are strong enough to manipulate certain handles and push up unlocked windows to access indoor attractants.
Safe Response Protocols During Bear Encounters
When a bear is present on the property, the immediate priority is to increase the perceived risk to the animal, a process known as hazing. Hazing is appropriate when a bear is investigating a potential attractant, such as a garbage can or patio. From a safe distance, property owners should make themselves look large by waving their arms and making loud, assertive noises, such as yelling, blowing an air horn, or banging pots and pans.
The goal of hazing is to frighten the bear into leaving and associate the area with a negative experience. Ensure the bear has a clear escape route and stop the hazing immediately once the animal runs away or climbs a tree. Never approach or corner a bear to haze it, as this can provoke a defensive response.
Bear spray is a defensive tool of last resort, not a general deterrent, and must be carried in an easily accessible location. If a bear approaches aggressively or charges, deploy the spray when the animal is within 30 to 60 feet, aiming slightly downward to create a cloud the bear will run through. After deployment, slowly back away from the area while keeping an eye on the bear.
In any close encounter, never run, as this may trigger a chase response. Instead, stand your ground, continue to talk in a low, calm voice, and slowly back away to create distance. If a bear shows signs of habituation, such as a lack of fear of people or repeated attempts to enter secure areas, report the animal to local wildlife authorities.