From WDFW: For a bear heading into winter, there’s no such thing as “too fat!” Right now, Washington’s black bears are eagerly looking for anything to eat that can help them “fatten up” for winter in their dens. In fall, this can include seasonal attractants like fruit orchards, or even your holiday decorations! Remember, we can all do our part to keep bears wild and reduce human-wildlife conflicts by securing common bear attractants like garbage cans, pet food, and bird feeders. Learn more about living with black bears at wdfw.wa.gov/blackbears and visit BearWise for more resources!
From BearWise: Hello October! What are bears up to this month? They’re eating more and sleeping less, for one thing. Hyperphagia is still in full swing all over the country in October and will continue as long as food is available. Even bears that won’t hibernate until December still industriously look for food practically around the clock and eat as much as they can find. For a bear, there’s no such thing as “too fat.” All those pounds of fat reserves will keep bears healthy all winter long.
Consider this: Pumpkins are a real treat for bears. They are packed with vitamins, minerals and lots of tasty fiber, and pumpkin seeds have about 300 calories a cup. Consider keeping your real pumpkins indoors.
That’s why it’s so important to follow the BearWise basics, remove all sources of food and bear attractants, and do all you can to keep bears wild.
Learn more about bears and their biology: BearWise.org
