How to Keep Hungry Bears Out of Your Garbage

Winter is right around the corner and if you happen to be a bear, that means it’s time to fatten up before heading into hibernation. Unfortunately, a lot of them are finding it in people's garbage cans.

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By KTVA CBS 11
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Story Created: Sep 26, 2011 at 9:33 AM AKDT

Story Updated: Sep 26, 2011 at 9:33 AM AKDT

Winter is right around the corner and if you happen to be a bear, that means it’s time to fatten up before heading into hibernation.

Most bears won't hibernate until the end of October so this is a very busy time for them to look for food, and unfortunately a lot of them are finding it in people's garbage cans.

“This time of year we typically have a resurgence of bear calls revolving around black bears and garbage this time of year…they are making that last push before hibernation to fatten up,” said Jessy Coltrane of the Alaska Department of Fish and Game.

Quick tips to bears out of your trash:

  • Keep garbage indoors until the morning pick-up
  • Hold off on setting up outdoor birdfeeders until the end of October

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Lila Taylor said on Monday, Sep 26 at 10:36 AM

Migrating small birds need bird feeders as they travel. So is not setting up bird feeders until October being wise ??

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compuuuter said on Tuesday, Sep 27 at 9:10 PM

what about dumpsters? i live in an avg. priced apartment and we don't have a bear guard on the dumpster and we've never (since i've lived here) seen a visiting bear. everyone bags their trash, and when they get rid of large items, it is non-food things like old housewares and car parts.

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