LIVING IN BEAR COUNTRY Human-bear conflicts commonly occur when bears are allowed to gain access to attractants such as human food, garbage, birdseed or livestock grain in developed areas. The improper storage of these attractants may compromise human safety and could lead to an increased occurrence of property damage caused by bears. Black bear. (Adobe Stock Photo) To minimize conflicts with bears and promote human safety, the Wyoming Game and Fish Department recommends the proper storage of attractants such as human food, garbage, pet food, livestock feed and birdseed. Once a bears gain access to unnatural foods in close proximity to humans they can become food-conditioned. Food-conditioned bears are less likely to avoid humans and can display persistent, destructive and often dangerous behavior. Follow these recommendations in order to minimize human-bear conflicts: * Use certified, bear-resistant garbage can/dumpster or storage of garbage in a reinforced shed/building. * Discontinue use of bird feeders (includes Grizzly bear. (Adobe Stock Photo) suet, seed and hummingbird feeders) from April through October or hang feeders 10 feet high and 4 feet from top and vertical supports. * Feed pets and store pet food indoors. * Store livestock feed indoors or in a bearresistant container. * Keep barbecue grills as clean as possible or store in an enclosed building. * In the fall pick ripe fruit from ornamental trees/shrubs and clean the ground of fallen fruit. * Use electric fences to deter bears from gardens and compost piles. Visit https://wgfd.wyo.gov/bear-wisewyoming Wyoming Wildlife | 45https://wgfd.wyo.gov/bear-wise-wyoming https://wgfd.wyo.gov/bear-wise-wyoming https://www.thewyldlifefund.org/