Backyard Bears Becoming A Problem In Central Maine

Have you had any backyard visitors lately? More and more Central Maine residents are reporting seeing bears in their yards looking for food.

One local resident captured a black bear in her yard in China recently.

According to the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, "when natural foods are scarce, especially in the spring or dry summers, bears will venture into backyards and fields in search of easily accessible food such as bird feeders, garbage, grills and pet foods."

Fortunately, simply removing the food source seems to make the bears go away, which is really better for the bears as well.

Here's how the MIFW recommends avoiding bear conflicts.