Be Bear-Aware!
As of 2017, there are an estimated 7,000 black bears in New York. With their populations growing in Westchester, knowledge is your best tool in keeping your family and pets safe.
![](https://www.teatown.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/black-bear-1170229_640-2.jpg)
Prevention is key
Typically, black bears are attracted to yards because of bird feeders or unsecured garbage. If you leave food out, bears will find it. This is a learned behavior, and bears figure out where the easy pickings are pretty quickly and often hit the same spots repeatedly. The DEC has a really nice page on human-bear conflict and how to minimize risk.
When you’re hiking in potential bear territory it’s always a good idea to attach a noise-maker (e.g.,. a small bell) to your person to alert any black bears in the area to your presence and allow them time to leave before any potential encounters occur.
Should you encounter a black bear…
You should remain calm and leave ample space for the bear to have an escape route. Never approach, corner, or feed a bear.
For more specific information on bear encounters, click here.
Are black bears really a threat to our safety?
The overall risk to pets and people is very low with bears in the area.
The greatest risk comes when you encounter a mother with cubs. The risk is elevated if the mother feel her cubs are threatened. You should maintain a healthy respect for bears, and be sure to keep a safe distance from them. Removing unsecured food from your property and keeping pets indoors should prevent most human/bear conflicts.