• Take down your birdfeeder. Between mid-March and December, birdfeeders should not be used. You can attract birds by planting bird-friendly native plants instead. Check out Audubon's Native Plants for Birds Program: www.audubon.org.
• Make your garbage inaccessible. Store garbage in a secure structure and a bear-resistant container. Learn how to make your garbage can bear proof here: vtfishandwildlife.com
• Dispose of garbage frequently. If you have pick-up services, wait until the morning to put your garbage out.
• Demand bear resistant dumpsters for your community. Dumpsters need tight fitting, reinforced lids with secure latches. Learn which garbage haulers offer bear resistant dumpsters here: vermont.gov
• Follow steps for composting in bear country. Compost needs to be 3 parts brown materials to 1 part kitchen scraps, turned frequently, and kept in a sturdy tumbler or bin: vtfishandwildlife.com
• Use electric fencing to keep chickens and bees safe. Fences need to be 4,000-6,000 volts, tested regularly and baited: vtfishandwildlife.com
• Clean your grill after every use. For added effectiveness, keep your grill in a secure outbuilding between uses after cleaning.
• Make bears feel uncomfortable in your yard. Yell, bang pots and pans, or use other noise devices from inside your home. Never shoot a bear to scare it. Even BBs can seriously injure bears.
• Please report your bear encounters to Vermont Fish & Wildlife. These reports allow us to help you prevent future bear incidents. They also give us information to help all Vermonters better coexist with bears: vermont.gov.
