Berry Shortage Keeping Bears Close

Saturday, August 21, 2010 03:56 AM

Opinion250 file photo

Prince George, B.C. - Northern Bear Awareness is concerned bear complaints could spike heading into fall in Prince George...

Program Spokesperson, Rachel Caira, says volunteers at the NBA's education booth at the PGX heard from a number of locals, who have gone out berry picking and have been finding, "next-to-nothing due to the hot summer weather."

Caira says, "This helps explain why Prince George has been dealing with so many bears this season -- they are staying within the city because that's where the food is."

She says with fall around the corner, the bears will be trying to fatten up, eating up to 20 hours per day. "This means that it is vital for Prince George residents to be extra vigilant in the coming months." Caira says, "Garbage needs to be stored inside, bird feeders should be taken down and, most importantly, for September and October, fruit needs to be picked and not left on the ground to rot."

The Northern Bear Awareness Society offers a Fruit Exchange Program. For information, call 250-301-7575.

Since April, there have been 37 black bears destroyed in the Omineca Region, which includes Prince George, Mackenzie, McBride, and Vanderhoof.

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Posted on Saturday, August 21, 2010 03:56 AM in News by 250 News

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Comments

Posted by: Outwest on August 21 2010 8:40 AM

Go ahead and store yours inside, I won't
Build your self a heavy duty Garbage Box out of 2x4 and 3/4" Plywood and put your Cans inside lock the Door or Lid depending on your design add some big Stones or Concrete Building Blocks to the inside, so it can't be moved around, never had a Problem on my Place in 32 Years and in Case one shows up you can use Plan "E".

Posted by: Fuzzy on August 21 2010 9:48 AM

Would be good for the city to have a "wildlife spotted" page on their website. Last week while jogging on a road next to Ginter's my wife saw a bear. She felt someone ought to know about it.
Seems there are people to report sightings to but no actions are taken unless the bear is threatening or in a backyard.

As this area is a favorite area for dog walking and kids playing, a dangerous situation could happen if someone stumbled upon the bear.

While one could debate whether such a reporting site would be used, or consulted, or properly advertised but at least it would be there.

http://www.district.metchosin.bc.ca/siteengine/activepage.asp?PageID=75

This link takes you to a site maintained by Metchosin.

Posted by: seamutt on August 21 2010 9:57 AM

One can report a bear and then stick around and watch it die.

Posted by: Retired on August 21 2010 10:03 AM

What’s all this stuff about bears? We have a heavy crop of saskatoon’s in the green belt behind our home and we haven’t seen any bears and are only a stones throw from the Ginter Meadow. Our media dos not have to much to do so when they get onto some news they kill it with over exposure.

If you live on the outer perimeter of the City I guess there is concern so you had better take the advice of Outwest.
Cheers

Posted by: dnakamura on August 21 2010 10:54 AM

I was driving down Queensway an hour ago and saw a black bear run across the street by the slough.

Posted by: Palopu on August 21 2010 9:29 PM

Prince George is surrounded by wilderness, and therefore surrounded by wild life.

We have deer, bear, moose, etc; across the Nechako, and through out the Hoffer Camp Road area. In addition we also have some Cougers in that area. Also Fox and Coyotes. It is not unusual to see Moose or Deer on the road around the University. No big surprise, considering we built the University in prime Moose/Deer habitat.

I spotted a huge Coyote on the side of the road, just North of Sintich Trailer park yesterday.

The problem with the bears is that they become garbage bears, and wander around town at night looking for food. I suggest that you do not take too many late night walks in some of the alleys in this City or you could come face to face with Mr. Bruin.

Posted by: Retired on August 22 2010 3:54 PM

What about crows? We have a flock of crows that feed on the dumpsters for the apartment buildings along Ospika. The noise they make would put a leaf blower to shame As the Golf Club I would also like a permit to shoot these pests. And they are with us all year.
Cheers

Posted by: acrider54 on August 23 2010 5:32 AM

Crows are protected.