Many of our neighborhoods are experiencing less bear activity than they have in the past couple of months.
It has now been almost two weeks with no bear complaints coming to the Conservation Officers or myself.
In fact, it appears a lull in bear activity has descended upon all communities from Lion's Bay to Lillooet.
Should we be rejoicing over our perceived victory? Perhaps relaxing a bit on our garbage and fruit tree management?
Not in the least, in fact now is the time we should be battening down the hatches and being extra diligent on bear attractant management.
They will be back and they will back in force. Brace yourselves.
Presently we are experiencing a bumper crop of berries.
The bears are gorging themselves on this caloric rich source of natural bear food while they have the opportunity. Bears are, after all opportunivours of the highest degree.
At this time of year bears go on a feeding frenzy as they need to consume up to 20,000 calories a day to prepare for denning. This is called hyperphagia. During this period, black bears add four inches of fat, gaining 2-3 pounds a day! They may be feeding up to 20 hours a day to achieve this.
The berries will begin to disappear in the next three weeks and the bears will again turn to a tried and true rich food source, our garbage.
During this fall feeding frenzy, it is very possible that new garbage bears may be created as the need to pack on the pounds outweighs a bears natural fear of people.
This time last year almost 20 bears had already been destroyed.
This year we are holding at four. A car hit one of the bears. By remaining extra diligent we can hope to keep this number from going up. If there is a bear frequenting your yard or neighborhood please call 1-877-952-7277.
If you have fruit trees that you cannot pick please call 604-892-5796 ext #410.
Volunteers will pick the fruit, which will go to needy people in our community.
Kris Hopping is co-ordinator of the Bear Aware program in Squamish
