Saugeen Shores Police Services will continue to answer calls on bears.
Police Chief Dan Rivett — appearing on Soundingboard last week — says SSPS has extended their agreement with the Ministry of Natural Resources to deal with bears that are within the Town limits for the next two years.
Rivett says police receive about 6 calls a week for bear sightings last year.
He says bears would come into town looking for food since it is scarce in the wooded areas at this time of the season.
Rivett says in the event of a bear sighting, the MNR will try their best to trap it first or subdue the animal with a tranquilizer.
He says if the bear continues to pose a threat to the community they will use deadly force and put the bear down as a last resort.
Rivett says since the government eliminated the spring bear hunt a few years ago they have been dealing with bears who have been ending up in backyards.
The MNR claims the same number of bears are hunted and taken every year but Rivett says it doesn’t take into the account the number of bears that have to be dealt with in the spring.
Rivett advises those who do run into a bear that they don’t make any direct eye contact or expose your gritting teeth, and slowly walk away from them.
He says bears will often shy away from human contact but if they don’t, scream as loud as your can.
Rivett also recommends that homeowners do not leave food outside including those in dog dishes, barbecues, bird feeders, and garbage as they might attract bears.
Rivett says residents can report bear sightings by calling 1-866-514-BEAR (2327).
