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Bear reaching up to a garbage bin

Bear Wise Tips

HomeGarbage and RecyclingBear Wise Tips
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Be Bear-wise

Living in Muskoka means sharing space with wild animals. Human-bear incidents occur when bears are drawn in by smells. To avoid encounters with bears on your property please see the below tips taken from Ontario's Bear-wise program.

Once bears learn they can find food sources where people live, they will return so long as the food source remains. Bears tend to avoid humans, but are attracted to residential areas by: 

  • strong food aromas 
  • the scent of garbage 
  • cooking smells 
  • ripe fruits and pet food left outside
Garbage set-out tips
  • Put meat scraps in the freezer until garbage day 
  • Put garbage in containers that have tight-fitting lids and store it in a bear-proof location such as a garage 
  • Frequently wash garbage cans and recycle containers and lids with a strong-smelling disinfectant, such as bleach 
  • If you do not have curbside pick-uptake food waste to the waste facility regularly 
  • If you have garbage pickup, put garbage out on garbage day, not the night before and use a bear proof bin 

Barbecue tips 

  • Burn off food residue and wash the grill right away 
  • Empty the grease trap every time you barbecue 
  • Remove all utensils, dishes and food after eating 
  • Be aware that cooking odours can attract bears 

Cottage tips

Whether you are closing the cottage for the season, or just between stays, the following tips will help avoid unwanted animals: 

  • do not use outdoor fridges or freezers, including beverage fridges, as these may attract bears to your property 
  • do not put meat, fish or sweet food (including fruit) in your outdoor composter 
  • pick all ripe fruit off trees, and remove vegetables and fallen fruit from the ground 
  • never purposely feed bears (or other wildlife) or try to approach them 
  • do not leave any food or food scraps outdoors for pets or other wildlife 
  • when packing up, remember to remove all the food from the inside of your cottage, a box of pudding or fruit-flavoured dessert mix is all it takes to attract a bear 
  • do not leave scented products outside – even non-food items like suntan lotion, insect repellent, soap and candles attract bears 
  • close and lock all windows and doors 
  • if you are away for an extended period of time, have someone you trust check in and look for signs of a bear visit or break in 
  • if you rent your cottage, inform your tenants of the importance of being Bear Wise 

Resources

Save or print this one-page cottage bear-wise tips.

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The District Municipality of Muskoka

70 Pine Street
Bracebridge, ON P1L 1N3

Phone: 705-645-2100
Fax: 705-645-5319

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