2026-Apr-17
Bear Necessities: Some Safety Tips as Bears Emerge From Hibernation
As black bears emerge from hibernation, the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) is asking people to exercise caution. There are fewer sources of natural food for bears at this time of year, which could lead them to search for other food sources such as garbage and bird feed. Follow these simple tips to keep your property safe and bears in their natural habitat:
They suggest:
- Store garbage in waste containers with tight-fitting lids (indoors if possible)
- Wait until pickup day to put out garbage
- Take away bird feeders for the spring and summer
- Clean food residue and grease from outdoor barbecue grills after each use
- Keep pet food indoors and leash your dogs
If you encounter a bear that poses an immediate threat to your safety, call 9-1-1 immediately. Use the toll-free Bear Wise reporting line at 1-866-514-2327 or TTY 705-945-7641 if a bear:
- roams around or checks garbage can
- breaks into a shed where garbage or food is stored
- is in a tree
- pulls down a bird feeder or knocks over a barbecue
- moves through a backyard or field but does not linger
If You Encounter a Bear
Stop. Do not panic. Remain calm.
Remember not every bear sighting is an emergency situation.
Remember not every bear sighting is an emergency situation.
- Remain calm – often the bear is just passing through, and will move on if no food source is found
- Slowly back away while keeping the bear in sight
- If you are near a building or vehicle, get inside as precaution
- If a bear poses an immediate threat to personal safety, call 911
- If a bear is in a tree, leave it alone and remove other people and dogs from the area
- Keep away from the bear, and do not block its exit
- Tell others of its location and warn them to keep away, and bring children and pets indoors
- Keep dogs on leash and away from bears
Need to Report an Encounter?
Call the toll-free Bear Wise reporting line at 1-866-514-2327 or TTY 705-945-7641. This line operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week until November 30 and can provide additional advice on how to avoid human-bear encounters during bear season.
Visit ontario.ca/bearwise for more information.
Sponsored by: