WILDLIFE: Living in rural Pennsylvania, it’s inevitable that you’ll have some sort of run-in with wildlife.
Trash day is a day in particular when creatures such as bears and skunks have occasion to visit homes they might normally avoid. Travis Lau, communications director at the Pennsylvania Game Commission, shared information on what to do if you encounter the two animals.
“Because of their size and strength, there’s always a danger with bears; they’re always to be respected. And sometimes bears encountered around homes and camps are there because they’ve become at least somewhat habituated to people and the food they leave behind — intentionally or unintentionally,” Travis explained.
Travis notes, “In Pennsylvania, it’s illegal to intentionally feed bears.”
He recommends storing away food sources such as bird feeders, garbage, grills or food for other animals until the bear quits coming around.
“Preventative measures like waiting until trash day to put trash curbside, taking down bird feeders over the summer or pulling in grills after using them go a long way to resolving problems with nuisance bears,” he said.
“If bears are encountered, the first rule is not to panic,” said Travis.
He said never to run from a bear and never climb a tree to avoid a bear. Both can be viewed as threats by bears, and sometimes adult females will send cubs up trees for safety.
“In bear encounters, it’s important that the bear knows you’re there. If it looks like the bear doesn’t see you, whistle, whisper or wave — get its attention. Often times that’s all it takes for it to move off.”
If it doesn’t move off, it will likely let you leave; do so slowly, calmly and facing the bear.
“Bears sometimes will act aggressively during encounters, but bear attacks on humans are extremely rare in Pennsylvania,” according to Travis. “But if a bear exhibits aggressive behavior like popping its jaws or making a bluff charge (several running strides toward you), it clearly doesn’t want you there,” he said. “Leave, slowly and calmly as described above.”
“If there’s nowhere to go and a bear is acting aggressively, stand your ground. Shouting at the bear sometimes will drive it off. In most cases, however, the bear will want to avoid any confrontation and it will leave on its own if it knows you’re there.”
Travis said that if bears still come around after food sources are removed from your property, or if you wish to report illegal feeding by others, call your Game Commission region office.
We’ll share info about skunks, as well as how to contact the Game Commission, another day.
