As an experienced farmer, you are more likely than most Ontarians to be aware of bears and their behaviour. You know that black bears often approach farm properties to find food, especially when their natural food sources are scarce. There are several things you can do to keep bears away from your farm so that the use of firearms becomes a last resort.
What farmers can do:
- Plant grain or cornfields as far away from the edge of the forest as possible. Leave a swath of open land or pasture between crops and the forest edge
- Pick all ripe fruit off trees and remove vegetables and fallen fruit from the ground
- Use electric fencing around orchards, beehives and vegetable and berry patches, or between grain crops and adjacent forest areas. Electric fencing can also help protect your animals and livestock
- It is best to install electric fences before bears become a problem or as soon as possible if bears are a problem. Electric fencing works best to deter bears if they have not become food-conditioned
- Keep your livestock away from woodlots and bear travel routes
- Ensure that calving areas are located in an open space away from forest cover
- Bears will eat carcasses. Dispose of dead stock according to legal requirements, and in a manner that bears can not access them
- Be alert for bears when working in bear habitat
- Develop a network with your neighbours to help keep each other informed about bears in your area
Note: If you have shot a bear, you are required by law to immediately report it to your local Ministry of Natural Resources office either in person or by telephone. This requirement applies whether you intend to keep the bear or not. Failure to do so is a violation of the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act.
Download a PDF version of this fact sheet.
TO REPORT BEAR PROBLEMS: contact the Bear Reporting Line at:
1-866-514-2327 (TTY) 705 945-7641
In a life-threatening emergency, call your local police or 911.
