LINCOLN CITY, Ore. (KATU) — The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office and Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife are urging residents to be alert as the number of bear encounters has increased across Lincoln County.
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Officials emphasize the importance of respecting wildlife to ensure peaceful coexistence between people and black bears.
“A bear’s strongest sense is smell,” ODFW said in a message on Facebook. “This means everything from trash cans to grill drippings can bring them to your property.”
The department warns that bears have excellent memories for food locations, and female bears often pass this knowledge to their young. Feeding bears, whether intentionally or accidentally, can have long-term negative effects on bear populations.
“Feeding bears will not only bring unwanted visitors to your community, but can also be harmful,” said ODFW. “Wildlife have specialized diets that coincide with seasonal changes.”
The ODFW advises residents to never feed or approach bears, as it is illegal in Oregon under ORS 496.730. They recommend securing food, garbage, and recycling to prevent bears from accessing them. Residents should also remove bird feeders when bears are active and never leave pet food outdoors.
“Living responsibly with black bears is possible,” ODFW said. “It’s up to everyone to do their part to keep people safe and bears wild.”
The department encourages communities to share these tips and report unusual bear activity to neighbors and the ODFW. A collective effort is essential to prevent bear-related issues, as even one person feeding bears can pose a risk to the entire neighborhood.
More information about black bears is available on the ODFW website.