Several people took to social media to warn people of black bears wandering around Western New York.
Black Bear Spotted In Eden, New York
A post on the community group for East Eden, New York warned people to be on the lookout for black bears. The post contained a photo of a black bear that the poster said was seen wandering around the area. You can see the post HERE.
Black bears become more active around this time of year as they prepare for hibernation. They will travel further from their homes and risk traveling into areas populated by humans as they search for food ahead of their hibernation period.
According to the New York State DEC, there are between 6,000 and 8,000 black bears in New York State, with around 10-15% of them here in Western New York.
What To Do If You See A Black Bear
If you happen to encounter a black bear in the wild, there are some things you should do to stay safe. First, you will want to make lots of noise. Let the bear know you are there so you don’t startle it.
READ MORE: THE OLD FARMER’S ALMANAC HAS ISSUED ITS WINTER WEATHER PREDICTION FOR WESTERN NEW YORK
You will also want to make sure to make yourself look big. Most black bears don’t want to fight, especially if they think you are a bigger animal than them.
You should back away slowly from the black bear. You don’t want to turn around and run. You want to stay facing the black bear while moving away slowly.
Have you seen black bears near you? Let me know HERE or send me a message using our free APP.
DEC Issues “Bear-wise” Tips