Close Alert Banner
Skip to Content

District Municipality of Muskoka Logo District of Muskoka Print Logo

Contact UsContact Us
  • Home
  • Contact Us
  • Categories
    • Airport
    • Area Municipalities
    • Business, Planning & Development
    • Careers and Volunteering
    • Children and Seniors
    • Community Services and Support
    • Council
    • EnviroHub
    • Finance and Administration
    • Garbage and Recycling
    • Health and Emergency Services
    • Housing
    • Provincial Offences Court
    • Roads and Transportation
    • Water and Sewer
    • Engage Muskoka
    • Feedback and Engagement
    • News and Public Notices

Bear Wise Tips

Bear Wise Tips

HomeGarbage and RecyclingBear Wise Tips
  • Open new window to share this page via Facebook Facebook
  • Open new window to share this page via LinkedIn LinkedIn
  • Open new window to share this page via Twitter Twitter
  • Email this page Email

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.

Subscribe to page updates
Garbage and Recycling
    • No Time to Waste
    • Collection Impacts and Delays
    • Collection Programs
      • Curbside Garbage Collection
      • Green Bin Organics Collection
      • Recycling
    • Drop-Off Locations and Landfill
      • Rosewarne Landfill
    • Find Your Collection Schedule
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Report a Missed Collection
    • Special and Seasonal Programs
      • Donate Reusable Items
      • Electronic Waste Drop-Off
      • Household Hazardous Waste Drop-Off
      • Leaf and Yard Waste
      • Waste Management in the Township of Georgian Bay
      • Waste Management in the Township of Lake of Bays
      • Historic Waste Sites
      • Holiday Waste Guide
    • Where Does It Go - Put Waste in its Place
    • Clean Muskoka Together
    • Bear Wise Tips

Contact Us

District Municipality of Muskoka footer logo

Contact Us

The District Municipality of Muskoka

70 Pine Street
Bracebridge, ON P1L 1N3

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

  • Quick Links

    • Accessibility
    • Freedom of Information and Privacy
    • Terms of Use
    • Sitemap
    • Website Feedback
    • SIMON
  • Connect with Us

View our Twitter Page Twitter

© Copyright 2021 The District Municipality of Muskoka

Designed by eSolutionsGroup

Close Old Browser Notification
Browser Compatibility Notification
It appears you are trying to access this site using an outdated browser. As a result, parts of the site may not function properly for you. We recommend updating your browser to its most recent version at your earliest convenience.