Hoover says: Don’t feed the bears — via your trash cans
For The Vista
In his weekly question of the week presented on the Fairfield Glade Community Club website, Glade Public Safety Chief Randy Hoover cautions residents about leaving their trash cans out — as they may attract bears.
Question of the week: Why is my trash can turned over in front of my house and the trash spread everywhere?
Answer: More than likely it was one of the bears that have temporarily taken up residence in the Fairfield Glade Area. We recommend that you not put your trash out the night before the trash pickup is scheduled. We recommend that you put your trash cans out the morning of the trash pickup in order to help avoid the bear problem.
We need to remember that we do live in bear country and from time to time we will have bears that travel through the area. If we feed the bears with free food like garbage and bird food, they will associate the human smell with food and will not be afraid of humans. If we take up the food supply the bears will have no reason to stay in the area, and most likely they will move on.
Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency and the Fairfield Glade Public Safety Department are working together on all wildlife issues in the Fairfield Glade area. We are trying to encourage the bears to leave the area in several different ways. However, we need everyone to help by keeping all food sources away from the bears. It’s simple, no food — no bear!
If you have any concerns about wildlife in the Fairfield Glade area, please call the Tennessee Wildlife Agency at 931-484-9571 or the Public Safety Dept. at 931-484-3785.
I hope you have a safe week and remember to always use good judgment when it comes to your safety.