Secure attractants (food sources): 

Feeding bears or allowing the placement of food accessible by bears is prohibited by law. Bears do not view humans as prey but can and will learn to associate humans with food if they are continually rewarded with free meals from garbage cans and dumpsters.  A fed bear is a dead bear. Bears that obtain human-sourced food can lose their natural fear of people and potentially become a public safety threat that may require trapping and killing. Relocating the bear is not a permanent solution as another bear will find unsecured attractants. Secure food sources that bring bears to your yard in locked enclosed areas like a garage or shed. If you do not have a garage or shed, consider: 

 

- building a trash caddy (3 designs available) - slated, enclosed, and general) for your cans for storage until the morning of pick-up,  
-creating an electric fence perimeter,  
-make an electric unwelcome mat,  
-adding retrofit kits to your cans if permissible by the waste hauler,  
-purchasing a bear resistant container that your county waste hauler can service.  
 

Not sure what is attracting bears? Take the quiz. 

 

It is possible to live in bear country safely with your dogs and cats without experiencing a negative encounter. Bears are typically not interested in pets as prey. However, most pet-bear encounters occur when pets defend their owners, pets are left unattended in a fenced yard, or pets are free roaming. If pets give chase to bears, bears will defend themselves and their young. Follow the tips in this video or the “Protect your Pets from Bears and Coyotes” brochure link. 

 

Bears generally avoid people and can be scared off by using sudden loud noises. This video focusing on bear behavior helps you assess how to safely react to a bear based on the behavior displayed. This video talks about how to safely haze a bear without putting yourself or the bear in danger. Check out the video demonstration link on the use and effectiveness of bear spray.  

 

Property damage: 

Fence damage due to bears is common in communities where bears are accessing food sources. If bears are unable to see the food source or need to use your yard as a shortcut, they may damage your fence. Inspect your yard for attractants and expect the bear to return if it was rewarded with food. Motion-activated alarms or motion-activated water sprinklers can also be useful in deterring bears. In some cases, electric fencing can be used to prevent bears from climbing and damaging privacy fences. 

 

Dumpsters: 

Dumpsters can be also be modified or purchased to keep bears out. 

 

HOAs: 

If you live in a community with a homeowner or condominium association or an apartment complex, protect your organization from liability by becoming a BearWise community web link or video.  

 

Your waste management provider offers bear resistant cans and/or retrofit kits. Please contact them at 352-671-8560 to find out more. 

 

Livestock is attractive to Florida’s wild predators, including bears. Appropriate enclosures, safety precautions, and proper feed security will keep your investment safe from loss due to wildlife. Electric fencing is crucial in many cases to protect small livestock such as chickens and rabbits from bears. 

 

Beehives: 

Beehives attract bears because of honey and the nutritious high calorie bee larvae inside. Protect beehives from bears with an electric fence perimeter. 

 

Wildlife feeders: 

Methods to avoid bear damage to bird, deer, and other wildlife feeders: 

Food plots are cheaper, always present, replicate more natural food sources, and provide better nutrition for wildlife than corn and other grains. 
Timed feeding devices can be found at local hunting supply stores or by searching the internet.  
Pay attention to feeder placement near trees and structures. 
 

Composting: 

Bears can pick up scents from over a mile away, so the key is to ensure the compost bin is maintained properly to avoid odors that could attract wildlife 

 

To keep up with news about bears and other wildlife, sign-up for GovDelivery to receive alerts by email or follow us on social media. 

 

Closing: 

Marion County has an established bear population. Our goal is to help alleviate human-bear conflicts and help residents live in unison with the growing human and Florida black bear population. We appreciate your cooperation and initiative in working toward an acceptable solution using the information provided in this email. Please let me know how we can provide you with technical or hands-on assistance. A regional Wildlife Assistance Biologist is available during business hours and can be reached by contacting your local FWC Regional Office. In the event of an emergency (bears exhibiting behavior in the red zone), contact - (888) 404-3922. Thanks, again, for calling the FWC.