The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife is reminding residents that the fall bear “Eat-a-thon” is returning.
As winter approaches, bears are taking their first steps into hyperphagia, a period in which they have to eat excessively and almost non-stop to prepare for hibernation.
ODFW calls this period of hyperphagia the Eat-a-thon and reminds people to be aware of partying bears.
What is hibernation and hyperphagia?
Hibernation is when a bear slumbers during the winter months while food is scarce. This length varies depending on where the bears live, but can last as long as seven and a half months.
During that time they do not eat or drink anything. Their body temperature and heart rate will drop significantly to conserve energy, and they will live off their fat stores. To do this successfully, they need to pile on as much fat as possible during the summer and fall months.
Bears prepare for hibernation by going through an extreme feeding period in late summer and peak fall. They typically forage for fruits and berries, sometimes foraging up to 20 hours a day.
During this festive season, bears search for food almost everywhere and will always accept an easy meal.
Why it’s important to avoid feeding bears
Living in or visiting Oregon means living next to bears, but that doesn’t mean it’s appropriate to feed them. Bears that are used to ‘human food’ can pose a threat.
Bears can remember where their food comes from and even pass this knowledge on to their cubs, which has negative and sometimes catastrophic consequences for both bears and humans.
How to prevent bears from eating garbage and other food
To coexist with bears, it is best to leave them alone. Never approach or feed a bear, as it will associate people with food.
Bears have the ability to smell food from several miles away, so Oregon residents, especially those living in rural areas, should secure or remove anything that could attract a bear. This includes securing trash cans, pet food, bird seed feeders, livestock and poultry feed, and other food sources that are left out in the open or easily accessible.
Discard all bird feeders during the time bears are foraging for food and try feeding pets indoors. Barbecues and grills should be cleaned after each use and stored or maintained for the winter.
This applies to anyone visiting Oregon or managing vacation rentals. Property managers should ensure that properties have bear-proof trash cans and inform guests of the potential for bear encounters.
Bears are also common along the coast, so residents and visitors should be vigilant of their surroundings.
How to stay safe from bears
Stay alert for bear activity and communicate with friends and neighbors if you see a bear. If you encounter a bear, contact your local ODFW office for assistance and report any safety concerns to the Oregon State Police.
For more information about how you can help keep bears wild, visit the ODFW website.
Ginnie Sandoval is the Oregon Connect reporter for the Statesman Journal. Sandoval can be reached at GSandoval@gannett.com or press X to @Ginny Sandoval.
This article originally appeared in Salem Statesman Journal: ‘Eat-a-thon’: ODFW warns of Oregon bears preparing to hibernate
