FEEDING BEARS
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Problems have occurred when people, fascinated by a bear
near their home or workplace, have tossed food out the door
so that they can watch or photograph the animal. In these
situations, both the humans and the bear quickly lose fear
of each other. Fear of humans is a bear's most important
survival mechanism. Once bears lose their fear of humans
there is little incentive for them to avoid circumstances
that bring the two together. Bear encounters could easily
result in a dangerous situation, both for people and the
bear. It must be remembered that these are wild animals that
may react to the presence of humans in unpredictable ways.
Feeding wild black bears is illegal in Louisiana and
Arkansas, and strongly discouraged in Mississippi and Texas.
 Camps
are sometimes visited and damaged by bears searching for
discarded food and garbage. A bear that finds food at one
camp may decide to visit others and cause problems there. As
bear numbers increase, it will become more important for
camp owners to maintain clean, garbage-free grounds.
Campsites, including buildings, should be kept as clean as
possible. Specific areas should be designated for cleaning
fish and game, and these areas should be cleaned thoroughly
after each use. Refuse from cleaning should be buried deeply
or stored in a bear-proof container and removed from the
site. Keep garbage in a locked container and remove it when
you leave the camp.
Interaction between humans and bears is
discouraged because all wild animals have the potential to
be dangerous and inflict serious injury. Bears tolerant of
human activity may become aggressive, especially if a
handout is expected. Feeding bears is not recommended in any
situation. “Friendly” bears should not be tolerated and
should be reported to an appropriate wildlife professional
as soon as possible. |
