CLAY COUNTY – FWC is sharing the reminder that Florida’s black bears are more active in the fall as they search for food before winter.  Following BearWise practices, such as securing garbage and removing food attractants, can help prevent conflicts with bears, as well as with other wildlife. 

Bears start consuming more calories in the fall to store fat reserves for the winter, even here in Florida. This seasonal need to increase fat reserves leads to increased activity from bears as they search for food. An adult bear needs to consume up to 20,000 calories a day during the fall. When given the opportunity, hungry bears will take advantage of easily accessible food sources, including unsecured garbage, pet food and bird seed from bird feeders. 

“Bears are opportunistic eaters with powerful senses of smell. To prevent bears from associating your yard or neighborhood with a free meal, remove any attractants such as unsecured trash or bird seed,” said Mike Orlando, FWC Bear Management Program Coordinator. “When bears can’t find food, they’ll move on.” 

Clay County is in the heart of bear country. According to FWC, the northern half of the county is “common” for bears, while bears are “frequent” in the southern half. 

To help prevent conflicts with bears, follow these six easy BearWise Basics: 

1: Never feed or approach bears 

Feeding bears can cause them to lose their natural fear of humans. 

It is illegal in Florida to intentionally feed bears or leave out food or garbage that will attract bears and cause conflicts with them. 

Getting close to a wild animal is dangerous. 

2: Secure food and garbage 

Store garbage in a sturdy shed or garage and then put it out on the morning of pickup rather than the night before. 

If not stored in a secure building, consider modifying your existing garbage can to make it more bear-resistant or using a bear-resistant container. 

Secure commercial garbage in bear-resistant dumpsters. 

Protect gardens, beehives, compost and livestock.

Pick ripe fruit from trees and bushes and remove fallen fruit from the ground. 

3: Remove or secure bird feeders 

Remove bird feeders where bears are present. 

If bird feeders are left up, only put enough food out for birds to finish eating before dark 

Use other options to attract birds, not bears. 

4: Never leave pet food outdoors 

Feed pets indoors. 

If feeding pets outdoors, only put food outside for short time periods and bring in leftover food and dishes after each feeding. 

5: Clean and store grills 

Clean and degrease grills and smokers after each use. 

If mobile, store them in a secure shed or garage. 

6: Alert neighbors to bear activity 

If you see a bear, let your neighbors know. 

Share tips on how to avoid conflicts with bears. 

Encourage your homeowner’s association or local government to institute bylaws or ordinances to require trash to be kept secure. 

While black bears are generally not aggressive, they can still injure people and pets. Female bears with cubs can be particularly defensive and protective of their offspring. Dogs can trigger encounters with bears; 60% of incidents where bears injured people in Florida involved dogs. When walking dogs, keep them close to you – preferably on a non-retractable leash – and be aware of your surroundings. Before letting your dog out at night, flip lights on and off and bang on the door to give bears and other wildlife a chance to flee. 

As bears increase their movements in search of food this time of year, they also increase the number of roads they cross. For the safety of yourself and bears, remember to slow down when driving, particularly on rural highways at dawn or dusk. Watch for road signage identifying known bear crossing areas. 

Having conflicts with bears? Contact one of the FWC’s five regional offices to speak with staff about the specifics of your situation and help resolve any disputes. Go to MyFWC.com/Contact and click on “Contact Regional Offices” to find the phone number for your region. If you spot an injured, orphaned or dead bear, feel threatened by a bear, or to report someone who is either harming bears or intentionally feeding them, call the FWC’s Wildlife Alert Hotline at (888) 404-FWCC (3922). 

More information is available at MyFWC.com/Bear, where you can access the “Guide to Living in Bear Country” brochure. Find additional ways to be BearWise at BearWise.org. Please help us help bears and other wildlife by purchasing the Conserve Wildlife tag at WildlifeFlorida.org/CWT.