Patton Township Police Issue Precaution Guidelines After Recent String of Bear Incidents

The Patton Township Police Department has issued bear safety precaution guidelines after what it calls a string of recent ‘rash bear incidents.’ 

Provided by the Pennsylvania Game Commission’s website, police advise Patton Township residents to take action against attracting bears to their property: 

Play it smart

• Do not feed wildlife. Any food left outside such as corn, for squirrels, may attract bears. Take caution in using decorative gourds such as squash, pumpkins, corn stalks or any other Halloween-type decorations.

• Bird feeders have a potential to be ‘bear magnets,’ the game commission said. Restrict the use of feeders to when bears hibernate and don’t use seeds that may attract bears, such as sunflower seeds or hummingbird nectar mixes. Bring the feeders in at night. 

Keep it clean

• Only put out garbage on pick-up day

• Don’t throw table scraps out back for any animals to eat

• Don’t add fruit or vegetable compost pile

• Clean outside barbecue grills on a regular basis

• Bring in any pet food dishes kept outside in overnight

Keep your distance

• If a bear finds its way into a backyard, the game commission advises to stay calm, by all means

• ‘From a safe distance, shout at it, like you would to chase an unwanted dog,’ the commission says

• If the bear still doesn’t leave, call the game commission’s north central region at (570) 398-4744 or local police at (800) 479-0050

Eliminate temptation

• Bears visit an area because they are drawn there by something, the game commission said. Quickly reporting road-killed deer so they are removed as fast as possible. Requesting local businesses to keep dumpsters closed and bear-proofed, as in chain-locked or shut, can also keep the bears at bay. 

Check please!

• Dog barking? Cat clawing to get inside? Could be a bear on the loose. When checking to see the cause of the pets’ disturbance, use outside lights and take a peek from a safe location, such as a porch or an outside window. Never use a flashlight, as it could be too alarming.

• Be wary that black bears, common to the area, blend in easily with surroundings at night and should not be approached for a close encounter.