10/02/2026
New Hampshire's black bears are currently in a state of 'hyperphagia,' a seasonal period of extreme hunger, during which they must intake 20,000 calories a day in preparation for their long winter sleep. This period is sometimes called the 'feasting season.'
They'll seek out natural foods like acorns, hazelnuts, and beechnuts, oftentimes eating hundreds in a day. They'll also gorge on insects like grubs and ants, fruits, and what carrion they can find. Of course as these resources aren't always maximally abundant, bears will also take advantage of any other foods they can get their paws on - including birdseed, trash, and pet food. This is why you've got to bear proof your property. Bears are intelligent creatures who will make use of what resources are available to them, including your trash bin smelling like Chips Ahoy! and bacon grease.
Most human-bear conflicts in residential areas are preventable if you follow these guidelines:
- Keep your trash bin in your garage if you have one, use a trash enclosure, or see if you can get a bear resistant container from your local waste service company. If they won't give you one, they might service yours by fitting straps or locks on it.
- Rinse out cans, bottles, and other food containers before throwing them away. This reduces any lingering smells which might attract bears.
- Put garbage, especially food garbage, out the morning of pick-up, *not* the night before.
- Only feed birds in winter. The moment bears wake up in March, bring the feeders in. As a matter of fact, the safest, most ecologically sound way to care for our feathered friends is by feeding via native plants. Native coneflowers, goldenrods, sunflowers, and thistles (do a lot of research before planting a thistle, some are invasive), make much better bird-feeders than do any wooden or plastic containers.
- Don't feed pets outside. Don't even let your pets out unsupervised. We don't just share land with bears up here in NH, we live with coyotes, great-horned owls, and other animals who'll take a vulnerable cat or small dog should they be hungry enough to try. Additionally, cats and dogs can wreak total havoc on native flora and fauna.
Co-exist. Keep yourself and bears safe.
