ROYALTON, Vt. -
Black bear sightings in Vermont are at an all time high. It's a problem that is stretching over the entire state of Vermont black bears are coming out of the woods searching for food and ending up near people's homes.
Check this out, a bear cub caught in a California garage. It's a sight all too common this year even in Vermont.
"Bears are looking for food, and unfortunately it's in people's back yards," said Forrest Hammond, with the Vermont Fish and Wildlife.
He has been busy dealing with the bears all over the state of Vermont, "I've spoke with at least eight game wardens today and probably responded to at least 20 people who've called me directly."
He says black bears are leaving their natural habitat and coming into contact with people. And it's mainly because of climate change.
"This year we had early frost and a lot of their foods they've been eating cured out. There are fewer raspberries than there should be."
Bears are on the lookout for food in your back yard and one thing really attracting them bird feeders.
"If you haven't taken it down already, take it down and leave it down," said Hammond.
And leave it down until December because once the bears find the bird feeder, they can quickly get into other mischief.
"Breaking into buildings, destroying bee hives, going into chicken coops and killing the chickens," said Hammond.
But he says there is no need to be terrified bears fear people and can be scared off easily, "That's what we ask people to do, make noise, holler at them, throw, so they know this is not a good place to get food from."
If you come into contact with a bear that is destroying your property you're asked to call your local game warden and if you simply spot a bear, you can report that sighting to the Vermont Department of Fish and Wildlife.
