With Halloween and spooky season upon us, it's important to consider our wildlife neighbors, particularly bears. During their fall feeding frenzy, known as hyperphagia, bears can consume an astounding 20,000+ calories daily. Their keen sense of smell makes your pumpkin creations an irresistible target. To keep your jack-o'-lanterns safe and bear-free, follow these simple steps.

Bring your Pumpkin Inside

The most effective way to deter bears is to bring your pumpkins inside at night. Since bears are most active during dawn and dusk, relocating your jack-o'-lanterns indoors when you retire for the night removes the temptation for curious, hungry bears. This straightforward action goes a long way in ensuring your masterpieces remain intact and keeps bears from seeking out a food source on your doorstep. Nothing's spookier than a big hungry bear at your door. 

Responsible Disposal

Taking extra precautions is key to keeping bears at bay. Dispose of your pumpkins responsibly in bear-resistant containers after the holiday. Avoid leaving them in open spaces where they can attract wildlife. Composting or repurposing them for enriching your garden soil are eco-friendly options that also keep local wildlife safe. As you're treating yourself to your Halloween candy during trick or treating, be sure to also dispose of any candy wrappers in bear safe containers as well or wait to eat your candy until you're back home. 

Encourage your friends and neighbors to join in the effort to protect our local wildlife by being bear smart this Halloween. Share these tips and help raise awareness about the importance of responsible pumpkin disposal.

Being bear smart this Halloween is not just about protecting your pumpkins and keeping our community clean of candy wrappers, but also about protecting bears. By bringing your pumpkins inside at night and taking responsible disposal measures, you can enjoy the holiday festivities while respecting nature. Let's celebrate spooky season responsibly!

📸: Mark Dumont / Flickr