Another Black Bear Spotted in the Crest

Another black bear has recently been spotted in Colonial Crest, this time on Lakeview at dusk. Thank you to neighbors Laura Sullivan who snapped this post’s photo (from afar) and Janna Drake who alerted her as it ran up a tree. Bill Miller has also reported that bear droppings are all over Goose Valley Road at the back of our neighborhood.

As Crest residents, we share our beautiful natural spaces with wildlife, and this includes black bears. The population of black bears in Central PA is increasing, so it is important for us to understand them and how to coexist safely with them.

Black Bear Facts

• Black bears are not always black. They range in color from black to light brown and are the smallest of the three bear species found in North America.

• Adult males typically weigh between 200-600 pounds, while females are smaller, weighing 150-400 pounds.

• Mating season occurs in June and July, with cubs born in January or February while the mother is in hibernation. Bears are generally solitary animals, except for mothers with cubs.

• They are surprisingly fast and agile, running up to 35 mph in short bursts, and are excellent climbers.

• Black bears have an incredible sense of smell and are opportunistic omnivores. Their diet consists primarily of vegetation, including berries, nuts, birdseed, and grass, but they also eat insects, fish, and occasionally small mammals (yes, small dogs and cats).

• Late summer through fall is when black bears are searching for about 20,000 calories a day to get ready for winter hibernation! They are most active from late evening to early morning hours.

• Food-driven, determined black bears can cause damage to your property or when scared or aggressively confronted, hurt humans and easily kill pets.

Preventing Bears from Frequenting Our Neighborhood

1. Never leave food outside, including pet food. “Intentionally feeding bears is against the law in Pennsylvania. It is also against the law to put out any feed, for any wildlife, that is causing bears to congregate or habituate to an area.”

2. If possible, keep trash indoors until collection day.

3. Hang birdfeeders at least 10 feet high and 4 feet from tree trunks or remove them during bear season (spring through fall).

4. Clean outside grills including the grease traps.

5. Keep compost bins tightly closed and/or avoid adding meat or sweet-smelling food waste.

6. Bears love honey, so if you have honeybee hives, consider putting an electric fence around them or bear-proof the hives.

7. Keep your dogs on a leash when walking the neighborhood (for many other reasons also) and supervise them in your fenced-in area in the evening or night hours.

8. Be extra alert during hot weather if you have a pool. You may just find an uninvited bear guest cooling off!

What to Do if You Encounter a Black Bear

1. Stay calm and assess the situation. Most bears want to avoid human interaction.

2. Back away slowly if you are facing a bear and calmly get to safety. Never run or climb a tree.

3. If the bear follows you, stop and stand your ground.

4. Make noise by speaking in a firm, loud voice, or by clapping.

5. If the situation warrants, make yourself appear large by raising your arms and standing tall.

6. In the rare event of an attack, fight back with everything you have. Do not play dead with a black bear.

By taking appropriate precautions, we can minimize conflicts and appreciate their beauty. The Pennsylvania Game Commission website has more information on black bears HERE.