Black bears are emerging from winter dens and may be hungrier than usual, according to the Department for Environmental Concern (DEC).

Because of poor natural food availability last fall, many bears went into their dens with low fat reserves, DEC said. As they emerge from their dens, they will seek out easy sources of food such as bird feeders and accessible garbage around people’s homes.

The leading cause of bear complaints in New York is bears getting into residential garbage and birdfeeders.

DEC advises everyone in bear country to do their part to reduce conflicts with bears. People should take down bird feeders now, store garbage inside secure buildings, and feed pets indoors.

Allowing bears to find food naturally keeps them out of trouble and reduces negative interactions with people and property.

The leading cause of bear complaints in New York is bears getting into residential garbage and birdfeeders.

• Remove the grease can from grills after every use.

• If you have curbside garbage pickup- take out trash just before your scheduled pickup. Do not put garbage at the curb the night before.

• Do not place meat or bones in compost piles.

• Do not operate refrigerators or freezers outside or on porches.

There are more tips about how to reduce human/bear conflicts at visit DEC’s web page, Reducing Human-Bear Conflicts, at https://www.dec.ny.gov/animals/6995.html.