Last summer the number of bear sitings in the area was down, but hungry bears are on the prowl again in the village of Old Forge and surrounding area, which prompted a Monday, June 22 meeting between Town of Webb Police Chief John Russell, DEC Wildlife Biologist Steve Heerkens, DEC Police Officer Russell Ritzel and Town of Webb Supervisor Ted Riehle.
Heerkens’ message is to get the community more involved in the problem.
He wants residents and visitors to be more aware of the importance of putting garbage in secure containers and not feed the bears or the deer.
Chief Russell identified bird feeders and hummingbird feeders as contributing to the overall problem, along with garbage that’s put out the night before a scheduled pickup, or unsecured commercial dumpsters.
“These practices draw bears into the village,” Russell said.
One of the biggest concerns of Ritzel and Heerkens is with break-in bears and home entries.
Ritzel, described the recent euthanization of a nuisance bear in Eagle Bay that was entering camps and causing damage.
After its third ransacking episode, the bear was put down. Bear scat in the area showed signs of cracked corn.
Ritzel told of another situation where a 185 lb. nuisance bear at the Old Forge Camping Resort was trapped, tagged and released in a far away location in 2008.
Two years later the bear returned—weighing 350 lbs.—to terrorize the campground once again. The bear ultimately was trapped and euthanized.
Reportedly, that bear was being fed by campers, Ritzel said, which offers further validation of the DEC’s message, A Fed Bear is a Dead Bear.
At his own expense, Ritzel had both bears mounted and uses them as educational tools when he does programs at campgrounds and area children’s camps.
Ritzel also warned people not to keep food in their cars.
“We had a bear at Bald Mountain that ate the dashboard of a car to get to the peanut butter crackers in the glove box,” he said.
The “Fed Bear/Deer is a Dead Bear/Deer” campaign enacted a couple years ago seemed to be effective, but according to Heerkens, the message needs to be out there again, especially to the visitors who often stop by the side of the road to feed the deer, or throw food to a bear.
This type of practice can result in a fine.
“You may get a ticket if you are handfeedng wildlife and face up to $250 fine or 15 days in jail,” Ritzel said.
To report a violator or a problem bear call 1-877-457-5680. All calls are kept confidential. Everyone is strongly urged NOT to put their garbage out the night before garbage pickup.
For anyone wishing to deposit their garbage at the Transfer Station, it is open six days a week, closed Wednesdays.
