Remember the bear? The state offers advice

Remember the bear popping up throughout Cleveland County last year. Now we have the turkeys. But on the bear issue, the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission has issued a statement on dealing or not dealing with bears in Western North Carolina. By the way, if you see a bear, give us a call.

Part of the statement from the state

"With the number of bears ­– and people – increasing in the western part of the state, the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission is warning people not to feed animals, either purposely or inadvertently, that wander into residential areas.

"While black bears are rarely aggressive toward people, they can become bold when they are used to feeding on human-provided foods, such as garbage and bird seed.

"Over the past decade, the commission has received a 70 percent increase in the number of complaints of human-bear conflicts in western North Carolina, including bears rummaging through trash cans, tearing down bird feeders, peering in doors and windows and frightening homeowners.

"However, many of the incidents, most of which occur in the spring and summer, can be resolved if residents take just a few simple steps.

"They include:
Secure bags of trash inside cans stored in a garage, basement or other secure area, and place outside as late as possible on trash pick-up days – not the night before.
Purchase bear-proof garbage cans or bear-proof your existing garbage container by outfitting it with a secure latching system.
Discontinue feeding wild birds during spring and summer, even with feeders advertised as "bear proof." Bears can still be attracted to seed that spills on the ground.
Do not "free-feed" pets outdoors. If you must feed pets outdoors, make sure all food is consumed.
Clean all food and grease from barbecue grills after each use. Bears are attracted to the food odors and may investigate."