According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission (FWC), this is the time of year when bears around Florida beef themselves up for the winter, going from a daily diet of about 5,000 calories per day to about 20,000 per day. Because of the increased need for food, bears may be coming closer to residential areas.

Here are some tips from the FWC to keep you and your family safe.

Bear Facts

· FWC biologists estimate that there are approximately 4,050 black bears in Florida. This is the only species found in Florida.

· Adult male black bears usually weigh between 250 to 350 lbs.

· In Florida, the breeding season is June to August. Cubs are born around late January or early February.

· Bears are excellent climbers and often climb trees when they are frightened.

· About 80 percent of a black bear’s diet comes from plants, 15 percent from insects, and only 5 percent from meat.

Secure Your Trash

· Put trashcans curbside on the morning of pickup, not the night before.

· Ask whether local waste service providers offer bear-resistant trash cans or dumpsters.

· If your waste service provider does not offer bear-resistant trash cans, you could purchase your own wildlife-resistant container or dumpster. Before purchasing a bear-resistant container, be sure to check with your waste service provider to ensure they will service it.

· Build a bear-resistant shed to store your trash can until it is ready for pickup.

· Protect gardens, apiaries, compost, and livestock with electric fencing.

· Feed pets indoors or bring in dishes after feeding.

· Clean grills and store them in a locked, secure place (such as a closed garage).

· Remove wildlife feeders or make them bear-resistant.

· Pick ripe fruit from trees and remove fallen fruit from the ground.

· Be aware that screened enclosures are not secure and will not keep bears out.

Stay Safe

If you see a bear from a distance:

· Enjoy the experience, but do not move toward the bear, if your presence changes the bear's behavior you are too close.

If you encounter a bear at close range:

· Stand upright.

· Speak to the bear in a calm, assertive voice.

· Back up slowly toward a secure area. Be sure to leave the bear a clear escape route.

· Avoid direct eye contact. Bears and other animals may view this as aggressive behavior.

· Stop and hold your ground if your movement away seems to irritate instead of calm the bear.

Do not:

· Make any sudden or abrupt movements.

· Run. Running can trigger a chase instinct; bears can sprint up to 35 mph.

· Play dead. Black bears eat things that play dead or are dead.

· Climb a tree. Black bears can climb 100 feet up a tree in 30 seconds.

· Approach or surprise a bear, especially one that may be injured .

If a black bear attacks you:

· Fight back aggressively. People have successfully fended off black bear attacks using rocks, sticks, or even their bare hands!

If a bear is threatening the safety of humans, pets or livestock, or causing property damage, contact FWC.

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