Beware of bears!

Bear I spotted in Gravenhurst, running across the road.

Don't feed the bears.

Don't feed the birds in summer, when the bears are active.

Bear encounters down from last year: MNR
MUSKOKA -- The Ministry of Natural Resources is reminding campers, cottagers and hikers to be on the lookout for bears, and to take the necessary steps to keep them away. To date, the ministry’s

Bears do not USUALLY attack people, it is unusual. Black bear attacks are extremely rare — since 2000, there have been two fatal incidents involving black bears in British Columbia.

One Muskoka resident had been feeding raccoons, and shot a small bear at the feeding station. Bear Wise tells us to put away all bird feeders in summer.
IN AN IMMEDIATE EMERGENCY in Ontario: contact your local police force or dial 911

TO REPORT BEAR PROBLEMS: contact the Bear Reporting Line at:
1-866-514-BEAR (2327) (TTY) 705 945-7641

• Make garbage and composting inaccessible to wildlife: 
  
  
  • Use heavy garbage cans with locking lids
  • Fasten lids with bungee cords
  • Put garbage out the morning of pick-up, not overnight
• Use motion-sensitive floodlights to startle and scare away wildlife
• Keep pet doors locked at night
• Do not leave pet food outside overnight
• Keep BBQ grills clean and close BBQ lids after use
• Close your doors, screens won't keep them out