Taking steps to prevent conflicts now can pay dividends in the future

Black bears may be present nearly anywhere in Washington, including suburban areas and greenbelts near towns. This bear was photographed in a Sammamish, WA neighborhood. Photo by Stephen Brown.

Never intentionally feed bears or other backyard wildlife.
Always keep garbage cans in a garage or a sturdy building until collection day.
Take down seed, suet, and hummingbird feeders when bears are active in your area. Keep in mind that in some areas of Washington, this could be year-round.
Clean up fallen fruit from fruit trees and in orchards. Regularly harvest fruit and berries from orchards and gardens.
Remove pet food from wildlife-accessible areas and feed your pets inside.
Thoroughly clean barbecue grills after each use and store them in a secure building.
Properly secure your livestock. Cage and electric fence your domestic fowl and livestock pens. Be sure that livestock shelters have a roof and are fully enclosed, and close all entrances securely overnight.
Avoid storing food in your car.

If you see a black bear on your property, stay a safe distance away and make as much noise as possible to try to deter it away. Visit the WDFW website for more information on what to do if you encounter a black bear.

Be BearWise® at vacation rentals, too! If you are traveling and staying in a vacation rental, remember that trash pickup may not occur until days after your stay ends. Pack out your garbage and dispose of it at a proper facility. Encourage the property owner to share this guidance with future tenants!

Source: wdfw.medium.com

As humans continue to encroach on wildlife territory, food becomes even more scarce. I personally don’t see a time when humans and wildlife can, as they say, coexist. We can think and understand the risks, but some people don’t seem to take Bear Season seriously. In fact, some even boast about feeding wild animals, seemingly unaware of the potential dangers to others.

Patterns from posts on apps and social media reveal about three to four zones leading to and from Golf cour residential parks, trails, and schools. If civilians can see this, why can’t the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) address the causes of bear routes and the related waste management issues promptly?

Nativegrl77 opinion