The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) says spring weather has black bears on the move and are warning locals how to prevent negative encounters with the creatures.

“Nearly all negative bear encounters in New York are the result of hungry bears being attracted to human food sources,” DEC said. The simplest way to avoid a nuisance encounter is to remove potential food sources, which usually results in the bear moving on.”

New York is home to between 6,000 and 7,000 bears that emerge from the winter denning period and need to replenish their nutrients and body fat. To do so, they may travel long distances to preferred habitats that vary from season to season. Bears must often cross roads or pass through developed areas to find these different habitat types, and they often find human foods readily accessible if homeowners do not take necessary precautions, according to the DEC.

“Not every bear that passes through a developed area is a problem bear, but readily available human food sources can quickly turn them into one,” according to DEC. “Bears can obtain all of the food they need from the forest but they are intelligent and opportunistic animals that will find and consume whatever food they can find most easily.”

Bird feeders, garbage cans, dumpsters, barbeque grills, unsecured out-buildings or vehicles containing food or waste are all potential attractants to bears.

Once a bear learns to obtain food from people or certain structures, DEC officials say it is difficult to change the animal's behavior. These bears are more vulnerable to motor vehicle collisions in populated areas, more likely to be illegally killed, or may become a threat to public safety, DEC said.

In some cases, DEC is asked to relocate these bears. Bear relocations are rarely effective at solving the problem and can be dangerous. Relocated bears often return to their original capture site, or may simply continue their bad habits at a new location. If the circumstances that led to the original problem are not corrected, other bears may be attracted to the site and the human-bear conflicts will persist, according to the DEC.

It is dangerous and illegal to intentionally feed bears. The incidental, indirect feeding of black bears, such as with bird feeders or garbage is also unlawful, according to the department.

“Occasionally, a bear becomes so habituated to human environments and conditioned to human foods that its behavior creates a clear threat to public safety and property,” DEC said. “Extreme cases can result in requiring the bear to be put down to protect the public. It is in the best interest of both bears and people for bears to get their food solely from wild sources.”

To reduce the chance of negative black bear encounters around your home, DEC recommends:

• Never feed bears. It is illegal, dangerous and detrimental to bears.

If one believes bears are being fed in their area, or suspect a nuisance bear situation, report it to the DEC immediately.

• Take down bird feeders after April 1. Birds do not need supplemental food in the spring and summer, when natural foods are most abundant. Even if one believes their birdfeeder to be inaccessible to bears, the birds will drop seed on the ground, which attracts the animals.

• Clean off barbeque grills before night fall, don't forget the grease trap, and if possible, store grills inside when not in use.

• Store garbage in a secure building or location, secure can lids with ropes, bungees or chains. Never over-fill cans, and dispose of garbage as frequently as possible.

• If living in an area where bears may occur, put garbage containers out by the curb just before the scheduled pick-up, never the night before.

• If in a densely populated bear area, consider using a certified bear-resistant garbage container.

• Clean garbage cans frequently with ammonia products.

• Do not burn garbage. DEC says it is illegal and can attract bears.

• Do not add meat scraps, bones or melon rinds to a compost pile.

• Feed pets indoors and store pet food indoors. If pets must be fed outside, immediately remove all uneaten food and dishes.

• It is important to appreciate and respect black bears as wild animals, from a distance.

DEC has more information about black bears on their website at http://www.dec.ny.gov/animals/6995.html. They also have a DVD, “'Living with New York Black Bears,” which they say is available at most public libraries in New York.

Anyone who needs information on bears in their area or who needs to report a black bear problem can contact the DEC office in Potsdam at 265-3090.