It’s bear season in the Cowichan Valley.

And the provincial government has advice to help prevent bears from becoming habituated to human attractants — and potentially being destroyed.

— Keep garbage in a secured shed or garage until pick-up day. Don’t stockpile or bury garbage.

— Cooking oil, grease, dairy products or fruit should never be left outside or put in your compost. Try using lime to cut odour from your compost.

— Keep composts and other bear attractants away from forests, thickets and natural pathways that a bear might use.

— If you have fruit trees, pick fruit as it ripens and clean up windfalls promptly.

— Burn BBQ grills clean to remove any food residues, and store barbecues inside. Any barbecues left outside should at least be covered and stored out of the wind.

— Store livestock feed indoors and in a secure location, preferably in air-tight, bear-proof containers. Heavy-duty electric fencing can deter bears from areas such as outdoor feed bins, sick pens or calving and lambing areas.

Note that bird feeders, including suet, also attract bears.

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— Larry Pynn, July 17, 2025