Outdoor News

Pennsylvania Game Commission on avoiding bears

REGION - Pennsylvania Game Commission Information and Education Supervisor Tim Conway recently released information on how to reduce the likelihood that someone's property will attract bears.

"Pennsylvania's black bear range has grown over the past 20 years," Conway said. "As the range has grown, so have the number of bear sightings." Conway stressed that in the past 25 years, fewer than ten people have been injured by bears in Pennsylvania, and there are no known records of a Pennsylvania black bear killing a human.

"While Pennsylvania bears are, for the most part, timid animals that would sooner run than fight, we are here...to offer a few suggestions on how residents-individually and collectively-can reduce the likelihood that their property will attract bears."

Officer Conway listed five suggestions that could prevent attracting bears to a property:

• Keep it clean. Don't put out garbage until pick-up day; don't throw table scraps out back; don't add fruit or vegetable wastes to your compost pile; and clean your barbecue grill regularly.

• If you have pets, place food dishes inside overnight.

• Keep your distance. If a bear shows up in your backyard, stay calm. Shout at it like you would to chase an unwanted dog. If the bear won't leave, call the nearest Game Commission region office or local police department for assistance.

• Play it smart. While many Pennsylvanians enjoy seeing birds in their backyards, bird feeders are like bear magnets. If you feed birds, bring your bird feeders inside at night.

• If your dog is barking outside, or cat is clawing at the door to get in, try to determine what has alarmed your pet. But do it cautiously, using outside lights to full advantage and from a safe position like your porch or an upstairs window. All unrecognizable outside noises and disturbances should be checked, but don't do it on foot with a flashlight. Black bears blend in too well with nighttime surroundings, providing the chance for a close encounter.

To contact the Game Commission about a nuisance bear, contact the Northeast Regional Office at 877/877-9357.

BLOOMING GROVE - People who move to rural areas from more urbanized parts often find themselves extremely bothered by common wildlife problems such as squirrels, raccoons, moles, snakes, bears, and white-tailed deer. This is especially true in Wayne and Pike Counties where many new residents are moving from urban areas to the country. To help make this reality of rural life less stressful, Gary San Julian, Penn State Wildlife Extension Specialist, will present "Guess Who is Coming to Dinner?" which discusses a large variety of wildlife problems commonly found around the home and farm and then offers solutions to them. San Julian will also be identifying some of the myths and old wives tales which need not be worried about, as well as helping people combat their fear of bats, snakes and mice.

The program will focus on both the positive and negative attributes of wildlife. The program also includes information on public health problems such as rabies, Hanta Virus and Lyme disease.

"Guess Who is Corning to Dinner?" will be held on Wednesday, July 19 at 7:00 p.m. at the Pike County Conservation District Education Building on Route 402 in Blooming Grove (near the intersection of Roue 402 and Interstate 84). The presentation is free and open to the public, and while it is focused on addressing the concerns of new residents, anyone is welcome to attend. The program is being presented by Penn State Cooperative Extension and the Pike County Conservation District.

For more information, contact the Pike County Cooperative Extension at 570/296-3400.

	Contributed photo Kyle Donat with trophy.

Donat places at Numedia

HONESDALE - Kyle Donat, a junior at Honesdale High School, drove his 1991 Pontiac Grand Prix streetcar to a third place finish in the Trophy Class division at the April 30 races at Numedia Raceway in Bloomsburg.

LAKE ARIEL - On Saturday June 10, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Lacawac Sanctuary will host a Boating Safety Certification program. Waterways Conservation Officer Leo George will conduct the course which will be held in the sanctuary's Carriage House.

A Boating Safety Certificate is required for all operators of personal watercraft operating on Commonwealth waters. The term "personal watercraft" includes all "Jet Ski" types of watercraft. Additionally, unsupervised youths between 12 and 15 years of age are required to be certified if they operate any watercraft with a greater than 10 h.p. motor. Mr. George recommends the program for all boaters. The cost for the program is $10 and pre-registration is required. Participants should bring their own lunch. Contact the Lacawac Sanctuary office at 570/689-9494.

CALLICOON - Grab your paddles, dust off that canoe, find a partner and get ready for a great canoe race seven miles from Hankins to Callicoon. There will be many classes from novice to competitive. The race proceeds will benefit the Delaware Youth Center. Racers get a meal and a T-shirt.

Music and festivities will take place on the new park grounds near Landers River Mart and the Audley Dorrer Drive will follow the race.

The race begins Sunday, June 4 at 11:00 a.m. at the Red Barn Campgrounds in Hankins, NY and ends at the Callicoon bridge. For more information contact Tom Freda at 914/887-5640.