Inspector Ray St. Pierre of the West Nipissing Police has some tips for the public to keep in mind to reduce the number of bear calls.
St. Pierre’s suggestions follow a large number of calls of nuisance bears in the Demers, Dutrisac and Evansville area.
“Control your garbage,” St. Pierre said.
“Put the garbage out on collection day, keep your barbeque clean and remove your bird feeders from your yards.”
St. Pierre says all of these examples attract bears as they look for food.
As for dealing with bears, St. Pierre says normally that’s the department of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry.
The ministry’s hotline number is 1-866-514-2327.
St. Pierre says police will deal with bears when they become a nuisance or are a threat to the public.
“We would assess the situation, and if the need arises, the bear would be dispatched,” St. Pierre said.