How do I bear proof my yard?

Electric fencing and motion-activated lights can be enough to scare bears away from your yard. For your home, you may want to install bars or grates over the windows, as bears can smash through glass. Motion-activated water spraying systems, made for all kinds of animals, may also deter bears.
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How do you keep bears out of your yard?

A properly installed and maintained electric fence is an excellent bear deterrent, and proven to be effective at turning back bears. Electric fencing can be used to protect gardens, fruit trees, livestock pens and even campers, trailers and vacation homes.
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What smell do bears hate?

Bears Dislike the Scent of Anything Pine Related – Including Pine Oil. While bears love anything sweet (yes, even honey) they have often been found to steer clear of anything pine-scented. Bears dislike the scent of any pine-scented cleaners that contain pine.
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What is a good natural bear repellent?

Ammonia or cider vinegar- soaked cloth in trash can or hung on doors and windows can deter bears. The smell of Lysol and PineSol also repels bears.
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Do wind chimes deter bears?

It is important to remember that wind chimes are not a bear deterrent. Bears have been known to get into people's homes and attack them while they sleep, even when there was a wind chime hanging from the door or window. Wind chimes may also be damaged by bears who try to open doors or windows in search of food.
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Solving Your Bear Problem



What are bears scared of?

Big beach balls tossed at bears often scares them off, as do opening and closing an umbrella, shaking a big tarp or garbage bag, or banging pots and pans. If a bear climbs up a tree to escape, yell at it and beat the base of the tree with a baseball bat or heavy stick.
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Do lights deter bears?

Lights are good for detecting bears, and may keep them away at first – but over time, bears learn that lights are simply lights and have no adverse effect on them. Now, lights are still great to have on your property to spot bears and other sorts of wildlife.
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Do coffee grounds deter bears?

Scattered around the space were coffee grounds from Caffé Vita. Why coffee grounds? Since the bears have a strong sense of smell, such a pungent treat is extremely attractive and stimulating to them. The bears roll around in coffee grounds like a cat in catnip!
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Does dog poop attract bears?

Yes, dog poop can attract bears to your camp site. Bears smell everything, including the undigested bits of food in your dog's poop.
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Do bears hate the smell of vinegar?

Answer: Here's the short answer: It ain't likely. Here's more: Black bears have actually run away when sprayed with vinegar.
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Do bears like toothpaste?

Speaking of Smells

You and your delicious clothes are not the only things that are going to attract a bear's curious nose. Things like deodorants, soaps, lotions, toothpaste, and even some bug repellents are going to be very interesting to a bear.
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Can bears climb fences?

Absolutely. If a bear needs to get from where it is to some place on the other side of a wall, they will give it a go. Most bears are very good at climbing, and have the claws to do so.
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Does cayenne pepper keep bears away?

Don't spread cayenne pepper around your campsite- it will not deter bears! The only reason bear spray works is because it is a high concentration that gets right in their face. Spreading pepper around your tent is like seasoning it- an all-around bad idea.
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How do you keep black bears off your property?

Electric fencing and motion-activated lights can be enough to scare bears away from your yard. For your home, you may want to install bars or grates over the windows, as bears can smash through glass. Motion-activated water spraying systems, made for all kinds of animals, may also deter bears.
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What plants do bears hate?

Some landscaping trees, bushes, and flowers that are considered not attractive to bears include willows, penstemon, mock orange, lupine, and columbine. For orchards, protect with fencing and keep a clean orchard. Harvest fruit promptly and pick up fallen fruit so the smell does not attract bears.
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Do bear whistles work?

Bears are not fearful of noises like whistles. Studies have shown loud noise to be ineffective in deterring bears. If you want to carry a whistle in bear country, do so for emergency SOS signaling.
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Do barking dogs scare away bears?

The short answer is, yes. A dog can smell a bear and alert you well in advance that something's there, which could in turn divert a potential encounter. And a barking dog can discourage a bear from investigating a campsite.
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Do air horns scare away bears?

Air horns are generally reliable for scaring bears. They will work in most scenarios because they're extremely loud and a bit startling. The best way to be bear safe while hiking or backpacking in the national parks, however, is to use multiple layers of bear safety.
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What time of the year are bears most active?

If you want to give yourself the best chance to see an active bear, September and October are the best months. Bears are most active during this period, preparing for their lengthy hibernation. Some of the most popular activities for bears include snoozing, wandering, and fishing.
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How do you tell if you have a bear on your property?

Black Bear Sign
  1. Bear Tracks and Trails. Bears walk on the soles of their soft feet, so they often do not leave distinct tracks unless they walk through soft mud or snow. ...
  2. Scat / Droppings. ...
  3. Marking Trees and Poles. ...
  4. Straddle Trees and Bushes. ...
  5. Feeding Sign. ...
  6. Summer Beds. ...
  7. Winter Dens.
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Can bears smell fear?

Bears can detect a carcass of an animal, in perfect conditions, up to 20 miles away. Polar bears have followed seals for up to 40 miles. Think how easily a bear can smell your fear… your uneasiness …even your busy, babbling mind.
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Does snoring keep bears away?

Because bears are attracted to just about any interesting smell and deterred by most unusual sounds, it has been suggested by some bear-wary folks that bears would be deterred by snoring. It was actually proposed as a test project once but never followed through on.
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Are bears scared of sirens?

For example, a habituated bear is very unlikely to respond to a vehicle siren if officers remain in the vehicle. Unlike human dominance techniques which speak the language of the bear, a bear may have to be taught that noise deterrents are followed by an unpleasant or negative situation.
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Do bears roam at night?

Bears are usually active from dawn to dusk, but they may be seen any time of day or night. Bears in many places of high human use have become nocturnal in order to avoid people.
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How do you make a bear go away?

To scare the bear away, make loud noises by yelling, banging pots and pans or using an airhorn. Make yourself look as big as possible by waving your arms. If you are with someone else, stand close together with your arms raised above your head.
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