Springtime equals bear movement

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]

During springtime, wildlife across Florida becomes more active. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is encouraging residents and visitors to be BearWise and remain alert for Florida black bears as they emerge from their winter rest.

In March, black bears come out of their winter dens and start actively looking for food and water, often taking advantage of any easy meal they find. Items such as unsecured trash, bird seed or pet food can attract them. Taking steps to secure these food sources helps discourage bears from lingering in your neighborhood and reduces the chance that mother bears will teach their cubs to treat your yard as a reliable feeding spot, the FWC news release noted.

“We expect an active spring for Florida’s bears with many yearlings on the move as they disperse across the landscape,” said Mike Orlando, FWC Bear Management Program Coordinator, in the release. “By following some basic tips, you can minimize the chance of conflict between people and bears, both this spring and year-round.”

BearWise is an education and outreach program founded, supported and funded by member state wildlife agencies. Here are some basics to keep in mind:

• Never feed or approach bears.
• Remove bird feeders when bears are active.
• Feed your pets inside if possible and never leave pet food outdoors.
• Clean and store your grills and smokers.
• Secure food, garbage and recycling.
• Alert your neighbors to bear activity in the area.

Live in bear country? Follow this at-home checklist. And remember, a screened-in porch or deck counts as “outside” to a hungry black bear, according to the FWC.

Black bears are generally not aggressive but might act defensively if threatened or provoked. Dogs can easily trigger defensive behavior in bears, especially females with cubs. When walking dogs, keep them close to you on a short leash and stay aware of your surroundings. Before letting your dog into your yard, flip exterior lights on and off and bang on the door to give bears and other wildlife a chance to leave the area, the FWC notes.

To avoid vehicle collisions with bears and other wildlife, slow down when driving, particularly on rural highways at dawn or dusk. Look for road signs identifying bear and other wildlife crossing areas. Each year in Florida, 300 bears on average are killed after being hit by vehicles.

Those who are having conflicts with bears can call one of the FWC’s five regional offices to speak with a biologist. Go to myfwc.com/contact and click on “Contact Regional Offices” to find the phone number for your region.

Call the FWC’s Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-FWCC (3922) to report someone who is harming bears or intentionally feeding them.

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