San Francisco, CA -(Ammoland.com)- The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) will conduct a public workshop on “Living Responsibly with Wildlife” on Thursday, Sept. 22, at 7 p.m. at the Pine Mountain Club Clubhouse, 2524 Beechwood Way, Pine Mountain (93222).
The one-hour presentation will include information on common wildlife species – including black bears — species biology and behavior, how wildlife can become habituated to humans, CDFW’s role in responding to wildlife/human conflicts and what residents can do to help keep wildlife wild.
In spring, California’s black bears emerge from their winter dens and begin to search for food. In late summer and fall, bears begin preparing for winter and search for more food to gain weight for hibernation. Bears are attracted to anything that smells or looks edible including trash, human food, pet food and livestock. Their search can lead them into campsites, neighborhoods and other populated areas that can result in damage to property, injury or death to pets, livestock or the bear.
Tips for bear-proofing your home, business or rental property include:
- Purchase and properly use a bear-proof garbage container.
- Don’t put trash out until the morning of collection day.
- Don’t leave trash, groceries or animal feed in your car.
- Keep garbage cans clean and deodorize them with bleach or ammonia.
- Keep barbecue grills clean and stored in a garage or shed when not in use.
- Don’t use birdfeeders.
- Don’t leave any scented products outside, including suntan lotion or candles.
- Install motion-detector alarms and/or electric fencing.
- Harvest fruit from trees as soon as it ripens and promptly collect fallen fruit.
- Securely block access to potential hibernation sites such as crawl spaces under decks and buildings.
CDFW holds these workshops throughout California to help prevent and reduce conflicts between wildlife and humans. For more information, please call CDFW’s Office of Communication, Education and Outreach at (916) 322-8911.
About the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW):
The Mission of the Department of Fish and Wildlife is to manage California’s diverse fish, wildlife, and plant resources, and the habitats upon which they depend, for their ecological values and for their use and enjoyment by the public.
For more information, visit: www.wildlife.ca.gov.