News

Hello Neskowin Community.

While you may think a bear getting into your garbage isn’t a big deal, it can be deadly for the bear. Black bears that feed on garbage become habituated to people and can become aggressive. A habituated bear may have to be humanely killed to protect humans and ultimately to protect the larger bear population from learning the same behavior. 

Please keep bears, people and pets safe by securing your garbage and other items that attract bears. Living responsibly with black bears is possible and it’s up to everyone to do their part to keep people safe and bears wild.

Keep garage doors closed, vehicles locked and secure buildings storing garbage, compost, pet food, birdseed, etc. Use bear-resistant trash cans or at the very least, take garbage out the morning of pick up and not the night before. Pick fruit from trees and don’t leave fallen fruit on the ground.

Most issues between humans and bears are preventable by taking a few easy steps!

• Never feed or approach bears. Feeding bears, intentionally or unintentionally, will cause them to associate people with food. It is also against the law in Oregon (ORS 496.730).
• Secure food, garbage and recycling. Please ensure that your trash and dumpsters are secure from bears by using commercially available garbage cans, metal bars over dumpsters, fully enclosed trash storage, or by storing garbage inside. Take trash out immediately before pick-up, not the night before. Wash garbage cans with bleach to reduce their smell. Food waste is one of the strongest attractants for black bears and allowing bears access could qualify as illegal feeding if appropriate steps are not taken to prevent the issue.
• Remove bird feeders in bear habitat when bears are active. Birds have plenty of naturally available food sources during all seasons. Bears can be food rewarded from bird seed and suet in feeders leading to habituation and food conditioning, destroyed birdfeeders, and public safety issues.
• Never leave pet food outdoors. This practice can easily attract bears and other wildlife, putting your pets and wildlife at risk.
• Clean and store grills after each use.
• Alert neighbors and ODFW to unusual bear activity (continued sightings during daylight hours, lack of wariness around people or pets, etc.).

Share these tips with your neighbors, friends and family. A community effort is vital to preventing problems with bears. One person who feeds or attracts bears, intentionally or not, can pose a risk to everyone in the neighborhood.

 Find out more about living responsibly with black bears at https://myodfw.com/articles/help-keep-bears-wild

Information provided by:

Beth Quillian

West Region Public Information Officer

(North Coast, North & South Willamette Watersheds)

Office: (503) 947-6008 | Cell/text: (503) 804-0841

4034 Fairview Industrial Dr SE, Salem OR 97302

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Other Links: 

Be Bearwise – At Home Checklist

Bearwise Bulletin – Attract Birds, Not Bears