(Photo courtesy New Hampshire Fish and Game Department)
New Hampshire Fish and Game recently put out a news release reminding residents that a fed bear is a dead bear, and asking folks to take down their bird feeders early this spring to decrease the risk of human-bear conflicts.
(You may recall that was a ~big issue~ in Hanover last year.)
You can read the notice in full here, or browse their bullet-pointed list of recommendations below:
- Stop all bird feeding by April 1 or at the onset of extended spring-like weather conditions.
- Clean up any spilled birdseed and dispose of it in the trash.
- Secure all garbage in airtight containers inside a garage or adequate storage area, and put garbage out on the morning of pickup, not the night before. If using a dumpster, inform your dumpster company that you need a dumpster with metal locking tops and doors that are inaccessible to bears and other wildlife.
- Avoid putting meat or other food scraps in your compost pile.
- Don’t leave pet food dishes outside overnight.
- Clean and store outdoor grills after each use.
- Finally, never feed bears!