Help Protect Bears This Spring
Last updated: April 22, 2026 · Originally published March 10, 2022
It’s that time of year: Black bears soon will leave their dens and become active. Though they’ll primarily forage on green vegetation, bears will eat from bird feeders, outdoor pet foods and garbage cans, if available.
Taking simple steps now can keep bears safely at a distance and prevent conflicts this spring and summer:
- Remove bird feeders or replace feeders with bird baths.
- Bring in outdoor pet foods and keep grills and patio furniture clean.
- Secure garbage cans indoors overnight; take them to the curb the morning of pickup.
Attract birds, not bears
Rather than leaving out a calorie-rich bird seed, swap out the feeder for a bird bath, nest box or bird perch. Even better, add a few native plants to your garden that will attract birds year after year. Visit the Audubon website to learn more about native plants that birds love.
Bring pet food indoors, clean grills
Pet foods, outdoor grills and patio furniture offer a buffet of smells for bears, whose noses are highly effective at sniffing out snacks. In fact, they can smell 100 times better than humans! While you might not be able to smell last year’s barbecue on the grill, a bear certainly can.
An even split: 38% already have garlic in the ground and 38% plant before November.
Reader Favorites
Homestead reference charts
Three field guides worth bookmarking — canning times, cellar storage, and safe cooking temps.
| Food | Pressure | Pint |
|---|---|---|
| Green beans | 10 lb | 20m |
| Corn | 10 lb | 55m |
| Tomatoes | water bath | 35m |
USDA/NCHFP processing times & pressures for common foods.
View full chart →| Item | Store | Keeps |
|---|---|---|
| Onions | cool, dry | 9 mo |
| Potatoes | cellar | 4–6 mo |
| Apples | cellar | 6 mo |
How long fruit & veg keep in the cellar, fridge and freezer.
View full chart → Network| Doneness | Target |
|---|---|
| Rare | 125–130°F |
| Medium-rare | 130–135°F |
| Well-done | 160°F+ |
Safe pull temps for steak & burgers, from Popular BBQ.
View full chart →
