FWC urges ‘be BearWise’

A Florida black bear peers down from a branch in a live oak tree in an Ocala backyard on March 21, 2025. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette file photo]

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission reminds people that Florida’s black bears are more active in the fall as they search for food before winter.

Following BearWise practices, such as securing garbage and removing food attractants, can help prevent conflicts with bears as well as other wildlife, the FWC stated in a news release.

Bears start consuming more calories in the fall to store up fat reserves for the winter, even here in Florida. This seasonal need to increase fat reserves results in more activity from bears while in search of food. An adult bear needs to consume up to 20,000 calories a day during the fall. When given the opportunity, hungry bears will take advantage of easily accessible food sources from unsecured garbage, pet food and even bird seed from bird feeders, the release noted.

“Bears are opportunistic eaters with very strong senses of smell. To prevent bears from associating your yard or neighborhood with a free meal, remove any attractants such as unsecured trash or bird seed,” said Mike Orlando, FWC Bear Management Program Coordinator, in the release. “When bears can’t find food, they’ll move on.”

To help prevent conflicts with bears, follow these BearWise Basics:

Never feed or approach bears

• Feeding bears can make them lose their natural fear of people.
• It is illegal in Florida to intentionally feed bears or leave out food or garbage that will attract bears and cause conflicts.
• Getting close to a wild animal is dangerous.

Secure food and garbage

• Store garbage in a sturdy shed or garage and then put it out on the morning of pickup rather than the night before.
• If not stored in a secured building, modify your existing garbage can to make it more bear-resistant or use a bear-resistant container.
• Secure commercial garbage in bear-resistant dumpsters.
• Protect gardens, beehives, compost and livestock.
• Pick ripe fruit from trees and bushes and remove fallen fruit from the ground.

Remove or secure bird feeders

• Remove bird feeders where bears are present.
• If bird feeders are left up, only put enough food out for birds to finish eating before dark
• Use other options to attract birds, not bears.

Never leave pet food outdoors

• Feed pets indoors.
• If feeding pets outdoors, only put food outside for short time periods and bring in leftover food and dishes after each feeding.

Clean and store grills

• Clean and degrease grills and smokers after each use.
• If mobile, store them in a secure shed or garage.

Alert neighbors to bear activity

• If you see a bear, let your neighbors know.
• Share tips on how to avoid conflicts with bears.
• Encourage your homeowner’s association or local government to institute bylaws or ordinances to require trash be kept secure.

While black bears generally are not aggressive, they can injure people and pets. Female bears with cubs can be particularly defensive and protective of their offspring. Dogs can trigger bears; 60% of incidents where bears injured people in Florida involved dogs. When walking dogs, keep them close to you, preferably on a non-retractable leash, and be aware of your surroundings. Before letting your dog out at night, flip lights on and off and bang on the door to give bears and other wildlife a chance to flee,the FWC cautions.

As bears increase their movements in search of food this time of year, they also increase the number of roads they cross. For the safety of yourself and bears, remember to slow down when driving, particularly on rural highways at dawn or dusk. Watch for road signage identifying known bear crossing areas.

To report a conflict with a bear, go to myfwc.com/contact to find the phone number for your region. If you spot an injured, orphaned or dead bear, feel threatened by a bear, or want to report someone who is harming bears or intentionally feeding them, call the FWC’s Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-FWCC (3922).

More information is available at myfwc.com and bearwise.org

Florida black bear and garbage can. [Photo courtesy FWC]