Bear in mind, it's that time of year again

Faithful SooToday.com reader Jamie Bachman wrote to alert us that a black bear (not exactly as pictured) was spotted in the Finn Hill area early this morning.

"At around 6:45 a.m. this morning, I spotted a very large Black Bear coming down the sidewalk at the entrance to Grove Apartments across McNabb St. from Finn Hill," wrote Bachman. "I turned around and was trying to get a picture from the parking lot of the church, but the bear turned from the backyards of the most easterly row of townhouses and went back into the middle of the complex."

Bachman went on to say that the Sault Ste. Marie Police Service had been notified, and someone would be dispatched to investigate.

"The bear was very skinny, but it was long and tall," Bachman concluded.

The Ministry of Natural Resources website offers a number of black bear fact sheets, including information regarding important precautions that may deter bear invasions into city neighbourhoods.

Simple routines, such as ensuring all garbage is stored in containers with tight-fitting lids, housing garbage containers in sheds and other outbuildings, keeping meat scraps in the freezer until garbage day, and frequently washing garbage cans will prevent a hungry bear from being attracted to your property.

Other MNR recommendations include:


Bird/pet food

• Fill bird feeders only through the winter months.
• Do not leave pet food outdoors. Feed pets indoors, not outside or in screened in areas or porches.

Fruits/vegetables/compost

• Avoid landscaping with trees, shrubs or plants that produce food known to attract bears (some examples include crab apple trees, mountain ash, beech and oak).
• Do not put meat, fish or sweet food (including fruit) in your composter.
• Remove vegetables and fallen fruit from the ground.
• Pick all ripe fruit from trees and bushes.

Smells

• Be aware that cooking odours can attract bears.
• Remove grease and food residue from barbecue grills, including the grease cup underneath, after each use.

As stated on the MNR website, in order to avoid contact with bears, it's important to "learn about bears, their needs and behaviour. Share your knowledge with others. Encourage your neighbours and your community to practice Bear Wise habits. It takes everyone working together to keep bears away."