Due to the dry conditions black bears have been more active than usual throughout the Adirondacks. You can take steps to prevent problems with nuisance bears.

NEVER feed bears. It is prohibited by regulation and is unsafe for humans and the bear. Nuisance bears that have become habituated to obtaining food from humans can be become aggressive, requiring DEC to euthanize them.

At Home

– Do not feed birds during the summer and keep all garbage secured in a manner that bears cannot obtain it.

– Bird feed and garbage are the two biggest attractants for bears around homes.

At Campgrounds

– Store all food in coolers and other containers that are placed in the trunk of your vehicle.

– Dispose of all garbage before the end of each day.

– Keep your site clean of food, food waste and garbage

In the BackCountry
– Use bear-resistant canisters to store ALL food, toiletries and garbage (Use of bear-resistant canisters is required in the Eastern High Peaks – Wilderness and encourage elsewhere).

– Outside the Eastern High Peaks Wilderness if you don’t us a bear-resistant canister store ALL food, toiletries and garbage in a food (aka bear) hang.

– Bears are most active in the evening, cook, eat and clean up before dusk.

These and other practices can prevent attracting black bears to campsites in the backcountry.

Photo of black bear courtesy of USGS/National Biological Information Infrastructure, and black bear cub provided by DEC.