MNR Report

Be Bear Wise and Prevent Bear Encounters

Take precautions and follow these tips as bears emerge from hibernation

The Ontario government and the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) are reminding the public to exercise caution and prevent attracting black bears as they begin to come out of hibernation.
In Ontario, black bears wake up from hibernation between mid-March and late April. During this time of year, there is little natural food for bears, causing them to search for other food sources, including garbage and bird feed.
To keep our communities safe and bears in their natural habitat, follow these simple and effective precautions:

• Never feed or 
  
• approach bears
  
• Store garbage in 
  
• waste containers with tight-fitting lids, preferably indoors
  
• Wait until pickup day to put out garbage for collection
  
• Remove bird feeders for the spring and summer (instead you can offer birds natural alternatives such as flowers, nesting boxes or fresh water)
  
• Clean food residue from outdoor barbecue grills and grease traps after each use
  
• Keep dogs on leash and store pet food indoors
  
• Alert your neighbours about bear activity and share these Bear Wise tips to reduce attractants in your community
  

It is important to know how to handle a bear encounter, and who to call if you encounter one. The province operates a non-emergency, toll-free Bear Wise reporting line at 1-866-514-2327. The line operates from March 17 to November 30 and is available 24/7.
If a bear is posing an immediate threat by showing threatening or aggressive behaviour, remain calm and call 911 or your local police department.

Be Bear Wise — Know Who to Call

Bears may wander into public or urban areas in search of food, but not every bear sighting is an emergency. It is important to know who to contact if you encounter a bear.

Non-Emergency Encounters

Call the toll-free Bear Wise reporting line at 1-866-514-2327 (TTY: 705-945-7641) if a bear is:

• Moving through a backyard or field but is not lingering
  
• Roaming around the neighbourhood
  
• Checking garbage cans
  
• Breaking into a shed where garbage or food is stored
  
• Knocking over a barbecue
  
• Pulling down a bird feeder
  
• In a tree
  

This line operates 24-hours a day, seven days a week, and is open this year from March 17 to November 30. Provincial staff can provide advice on how to avoid and respond to human-bear encounters and how to manage wildlife attractants in your home and community.

Emergency Situations
Call 911 or your local police if a bear poses an immediate threat to personal safety. Some threatening or aggressive behaviours include:

• Entering a schoolyard when school is in session
  
• Stalking people and lingering on-site
  
• Entering or trying to enter a residence
  
• Wandering into a public gathering
  
• Harming livestock or pets and lingering on-site
  

Police are first responders for any emergency. If requested by police, the Ministry of Natural Resources may help respond to emergencies during daylight hours.

Quick Facts

• Visit ontario.ca/bearwise to learn more about how to avoid attracting bears and what to do if you encounter one.
  
• Bears have excellent memories and will return to where they have found food in the past, sometimes travelling over 100 kilometres.