New Hampshire officials are urging people to watch out for bears
CONCORD, N.H. (AP) — The peak period for conflict between bears and humans has passed in New Hampshire, but officials say such activity may continue for the next two months due to a low supply of food for the bears.
Andrew Timmins, bear biologist for New Hampshire Fish and Game, said soft crops such as blueberries and raspberries haven’t done well this summer, sending bears out in search of readily available food provided by humans, such as bird feeders, garbage and unsecured coolers.
“Campgrounds are full, restaurant dumpsters are overflowing and human-related food attractants are highly abundant across the landscape,” Timmins said.
Most human-bear interactions happen in June and July. Timmins said complaints are running above average this year, following a quiet 2015 when there was an abundance of natural bear food available.
Bear activity has been common at campgrounds in the White Mountain National Forest in particular this summer, and officials are warning campers to make sure all food is securely stored. Bear-resistant canisters for food storage are available to borrow for from at all White Mountain National Forest ranger district offices.
