WGXC-90.7 FM
Don't feed the bears
Jan 22, 2011 1:21 pm
[caption id="" align="alignright" width="150" caption="Creative Commons image from Inthekoots.com."]
[/caption]All feeding of black bears is now banned by The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. Previously, the DEC prohibited the intentional feeding of bears in proximity to certain locations; DEC's new regulation prohibits both incidental and intentional feeding of bears statewide. The new measure also prohibits incidental or indirect feeding of black bears through food attractants such as garbage, refuse, or bird seed. The regulation grants DEC the authority to require removal of these and other food attractants when bears become problematic. DEC generally encourages discontinuing bird feeding activity in the Spring when bears emerge from their dens and natural foods for bears are not abundant and natural food for birds are becoming more available. More information about black bears can be found on the DEC website at www.dec.ny.gov/animals/6960.html.
[/caption]All feeding of black bears is now banned by The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. Previously, the DEC prohibited the intentional feeding of bears in proximity to certain locations; DEC's new regulation prohibits both incidental and intentional feeding of bears statewide. The new measure also prohibits incidental or indirect feeding of black bears through food attractants such as garbage, refuse, or bird seed. The regulation grants DEC the authority to require removal of these and other food attractants when bears become problematic. DEC generally encourages discontinuing bird feeding activity in the Spring when bears emerge from their dens and natural foods for bears are not abundant and natural food for birds are becoming more available. More information about black bears can be found on the DEC website at www.dec.ny.gov/animals/6960.html.