Black bears are big, burly creatures that look like they can polish off a dinner-table full of food nightly. And they do seek out super-sized meals like road-killed deer and all-you-can-eat cornfields and blueberry patches. But given the chance to raid a birdfeeder filled with suet or sunflower seeds, many bears will come running, even to feeders very close to houses. The oil in sunflowers and the fat in suet can create an aromatic trail that can lure bears, not to mention squirrels, for a considerable distance. Bears crave suet and sunflower seeds – it’s like caviar or filet mignon – and will go out of their way to get them. Even if they’re available in only small quantities. So if you don’t feel like feeding the squirrels or having bears possibly tear down your feeders, the Game Commission recommends you consider bringing your feeders in for the summer, or at least at night. Put them out in winter when the cold weather returns.
For additional information, click this link to gain further information on what residents can do to help live responsibly with bears
The PA Game Commission is the reporting authority for when people see a bear in their neighborhood. The Game Commission track the calls to see if the bear is moving on, or staying the in the area, usually due to a food source provided by humans.
Contact the PA Game Commission Centralized Dispatch Center for reporting: 1-833-PGC-WILD or 1-833-PGC-HUNT