The animal of the month for August is the Black Bear. Pictured here is a mom and her cubs. Courtesy/LAC

COUNTY News:

Bear month is finally here. The animal of the month for August is the Black Bear and over the next few weeks, readers will get to know this large predator and learn how to live with it safely and sustainably.

Important tips when living in bear country

When encountering a bear:

• If a bear approaches your home, camp or picnic, scare it away by making noise from a safe distance: yell, clap hands, bang pots together or use an air horn;
• Never try to get closer to a bear to take a photo;
• Don’t corner a bear; give it an escape route; and
• Alert your neighbors or people in the area.

Outdoor Safety:

• Hike in groups and stay together, especially kids;
• When seeing a bear, watch quietly from a safe distance (at least 50 yards or 10 car lengths for black bears);
• Never approach;
• Never run from a bear; and
• Be sure to carry bear spray (if permitted) and know how to use it.

Bears and Dogs:

• Keep dogs on non-retractable leashes at all times. Don’t force a bear to defend itself;
• Don’t let dogs bark at, harass, chase or corner a bear;
• Store pet food inside and feed dogs inside, if possible. Never leave food/water bowls outside; and 
• If a dog gets into an encounter with a bear, don’t try to rescue it. You will get injured. Use bear spray; it works from 30 feet away.

Learn to be Bear Smart

Follow these tips at home to prevent bear encounters and help keep bears wild:

Around Homes and Outbuildings:

• Doors and windows in houses and outbuildings should be kept closed and locked, especially at night or when people are not home. Pay special attention to sliding glass, inward-swinging, French, and doors with lever handles;
• Crawl spaces and small openings under homes and other buildings need to be barricaded before hibernation;
• Refrigerators and freezers should be kept inside sturdy, locked buildings;
• Make sure attractants are not stored on upper-level balconies or decks that bears can reach by climbing stairs, trees or deck posts;
• Make sure garage doors are kept closed;
• Do not store coolers with food and drinks on the porch, patio, deck or in a vehicle; and 
• Make sure pet doors are locked at night.

BBQ Grills and Smokers:

• Grills and smokers should be stored inside when not in use.

If not:  

• Drip pans and grates should be cleaned after every use;
• Grills and smokers should be kept covered;
• Utensils should be stored indoors; and
• Food should not be left unattended when cooking or eating outdoors.

Trash & Recycling:

• All trash containers should be cleaned often to reduce odors;
• Recycling should be rinsed out and clean; and
• Bear-resistant trash containers should always be closed and latched.

If containers are not bear-resistant:

• Regular trash cans should be stored inside a sturdy, locked building or bear-resistant enclosure;  and
• Garbage should be put out the morning of pick up (not the night before).