Following these steps can save bears’ lives, and help protect you, your neighbors, and your property. Please do your part to be a good neighbor and help keep Vermont’s bears wild!

Make your garbage inaccessible:
Store garbage in a secure structure and a bear-resistant container.

Learn how to make your garbage can bear proof HERE 

Dispose of garbage frequently:
If you have pick-up services, wait until the morning to put your garbage out.

Demand bear resistant dumpsters for your community: Dumpsters need tight fitting, reinforced lids with secure latches.

Learn which garbage haulers offer bear resistant dumpsters HERE

Take down your birdfeeder:
Between mid-March and December, birdfeeders should not be used. You can attract birds by planting bird-friendly native plants instead.

Check out Audubon’s Native Plants for Birds Program HERE 

Follow steps for composting in bear country:
Compost needs to be 3 parts brown materials to 1 part kitchen scraps, turned frequently, and kept in a sturdy tumbler or  bin.

More about Bear Composting HERE 

Use electric fencing to keep chickens and bees safe:
Fences need to be 4,000-6,000 volts, tested regularly and baited: 

More about fencing HERE

Clean your grill after every use. For added effectiveness, keep your grill in a secure outbuilding between uses after cleaning.

Make bears feel uncomfortable in your yard. Yell, bang pots and pans, or use other noise devices from inside your home. Never shoot a bear to scare it. Even BBs can seriously injure bears.

Please report your bear encounters to Vermont Fish & Wildlife. These reports allow us to help you prevent future bear incidents.

More information to help all Vermonters better coexist with bears HERE 

If you have questions, contact the Vermont Fish and Wildlife department at 802-828-1000, or email fwinformation@vermont.gov.