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The INDEPENDENT, June 2, 2011
The American Legion Post #104 from Aloha, plays taps
just after the 21-gun salute at the Vernonia Memorial
Cemetery 2011 Memorial Day ceremonies.
Know what to do if a bear comes to visit
Oregon is home to a healthy popu-
lation of an estimated 25,000-30,000
black bears. During spring, Oregon’s
black bears are coming out of their
winter dens. One was seen and hit by
a vehicle on Hwy 47 just out of Ver-
nonia recently.
This year, they may be hungrier
than usual due to a poor berry crop in
some parts of the state last summer
and fall, and an unusually cool spring
this year.
Bear damage complaints always
begin to pick up in May, a time of year
when bears should be eating insects
and vegetation like grass or skunk
cabbage until wild berries ripen in
July. But bears will take an easy meal
if they can find one, targeting garbage
cans, pet food left outside, compost
piles with food or fruit scraps, and bird
feeders (incl. hummingbird feeders).
A bear that feeds on
human food sources be-
comes a human safety
risk if it is aggressive to-
wards people, attacks
pets, or attempts to en-
ter a structure. Another
sign that a bear is be-
coming a human safety
risk is if it is seen repeat-
edly during daylight
hours
around
resi-
dences. Last year, 36
bears were killed in
western Oregon be-
cause they were consid-
ered human safety risks
or nuisances.
Steps can be taken to
stop bears from feeding
on
unnatural
food
sources:
• Maintain regular
garbage service and
keep garbage inside a garage or shed
until garbage day. Wash garbage
cans to eliminate odor.
• Store pet food dishes and feed in-
side.
• Hang bird feeders away from the
side of your home or tree trunk so
bears can’t reach them. Store bird-
seed inside and keep the feeder and
area underneath clean.
• Keep barbecue grills clean.
• Compost only non-food items like
leaves and grass in areas with bears.
• Electric fences are a very effec-
tive bear deterrent.
“Bear problems are predictable in
that they almost always involve bears
eating things people don’t want them
to eat,” says Brian Wolfer, ODFW dis-
trict biologist in Springfield. “Bears will
return to eating natural forage if un-
natural items are not available.”
“Neighbors should work together to
make sure everyone is doing what
they can to not attract bears,” he
added.
While bear sightings are not un-
usual, attacks on humans are rare. If
you encounter a bear:
• Give the bear a way to escape.
• Stay calm, do not run or make
sudden movements.
• Face the bear and back away
slowly.
• Avoid direct eye contact with the
bear.
• Talk to the bear in a firm voice to
let it know you are a human.
• Fight back if attacked. Shout, use
rocks, sticks and hands to fend off an
attack.
For more information about living
with black bears, see the ODFW web-
site at www.dfw.state.or.us/wildlife/
living_with/black_bears.asp .
Open Daily
11 a.m
Biker Friendly
Specialty Burgers, Draft Beer & Cocktails
Pool Tables & satellite Sports TV
Open until midnight Sun-Thu & until 2:30 a.m. Fri, Sat.
733 Bridge St., Vernonia
503-429-9999
Live Music
Catherine Loyer & Strawberry Roan
Coming Saturday June 4