The bears you see in the Tri-Cities scrounging the last of this season's blueberry crop, getting into your garbage or just walking along the trails are preparing for a winter nap that is rather unique.
Local Bear Aware co-ordinator Drake Stephens says there are approximately 50 bears in the region and all are being guided by the same clock that requires them to fatten up before their annual five-month fast.
"In October, they will still be feeding and looking for remnants of fall fruit," says Stephens, adding that bears will also be looking for low-hanging bird feeders and anything else that will give them that final burst of calories.
"They'll be following their noses in search of food."
That's why it's even more important now to get rid of bear attractants. In fact, some bears may not go to sleep if food is easily accessible.
Some Port Coquitlam residents recently learned how powerful the urge to eat is for bears this time of year.
Neighbourhoods south of Lougheed Highway, which aren't usually bothered by bears, have been visited by several bruins and the city's usually low bear death count was cranked up to six as conservation officers tried to get a handle on the problem and remove bears that were habituated to garbage and possibly aggressive.
The city's bylaw manager, Dan Scoones, recently sent out a notice asking everyone to get rid of wildlife attractants or face a $150 fine.
"Up until recently, it was rare to see a bear on the south side," Scoones said last week. "Now, they've been coming to this area pretty steadily."
Port Moody is also sending out notices to residents reminding them to secure their garbage to prevent bears from moving into the area. A family of bears was recently spotted tipping garbage carts and recycling bins in the Arrow-Wood Place and Arrow-Wood Close neighbourhoods south of Ravine Drive.
"The garage is the most secure location to store your carts in between weekly collection," the city letter states. "Experience has shown that a neighbourhood that locks down all garbage and yard carts completely for three weeks will lead the bears out of the area."
So far, no bears have had to be destroyed in PoMo this year, according to the city's environmental services manager, Rick Saunier, but six were euthanized in Coquitlam this summer, along with six in PoCo, and two had to be destroyed in Anmore.
Bear Aware's Stephens, who grew up on Burke Mountain in Coquitlam and has witnessed bear season for many years, suggests ridding your yard of bear attractants is the best way to discourage the bruins from hanging around. Otherwise, they might just show up in your yard.
"They're trying to eat right up to the last minute."
For more information about hibernation, visit www.bear.org or BC Bear aware at www.bearaware.bc.ca
dstrandberg@tricitynews.com
