Police and wildlife officials warn Ashland residents to limit food sources for bears as their spring alarm clocks sound

Ashland.news staff

As bears awake from their winter hibernation with hungry stomachs, area police and wildlife officials are once again reminding Ashland residents to limit the animals’ access to food sources around their property.

“With a sense of smell about seven times greater than a bloodhound, bears zero in on the scent of unsecured garbage, dirty grills, bird feeders and pet food left outside,” said a news release from the Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife released earlier this week. “They stop at nothing to get at this food, causing property damage and breaking into homes and sheds.”

Bears also remember where they found food, the release adds, and they will teach their cubs to scavenge. Of the 137 cases of “bear conflict” reported in Jackson County last year, 38 were reported inside the Ashland city limits, ODFW officials said. Those incidents included “aggressive actions” by the animals, along with nuisance behaviors and increased comfort around people.

Residents are encouraged to be “bearwise” and utilize the following methods to limit unsolicited bear visits at their homes:

• Use bear-resistant garbage and recycling cans, and don’t put trash out until pickup day.
• Remove bird feeders during the spring and fall.
• Feed pets indoors.
• Clean and store grills after use.
• Check your yard before letting pets out at night.
• Clean up fruit under fruit trees.
• Alert neighbors and ODFW to unusual bear activity in your area.

If you encounter a bear, do not approach it for any reason. Stay calm, avoid eye contact and give it space. Leave the area if you see it with its cubs. Do not run, as it may encourage the bear to chase you. If the bear does attack, fight back. Shout and be aggressive.

Residents can report nonemergency bear activity through Ashland’s bear reporting website, or by calling ODFW at 541-826-8774.