Oregon Wildlife Officials Stress 'Don't Feed Bears' on Coast, In Forests

Published 10/13/25 at 4:55 p.m.
By Oregon Coast Beach Connection Staff

(Yachats, Oregon) - As cooler weather settles in across Oregon, black bears are getting their food on – engaging in what is nicknamed their eat-a-thon. Technically, they're entering hyperphagia, which is their seasonal feeding frenzy to prepare for winter. This phase kicks off in late summer as berries ripen and intensifies with the arrival of apples and pears. During peak foraging, bears may spend up to 20 hours a day searching for food. Above courtesy State Parks: Bear tracks were found on an Oregon coast beach near Brookings by park rangers.

In their quest to eat, bears won’t hesitate to raid garbage, pet food, bird seed, and livestock feed. Wildlife officials urge residents, visitors, and vacation rental managers to secure these attractants. Bears that grow accustomed to human-provided food can become dangerous to people and pets.

Black bears are especially common along the Oregon coast, in the Cascades, and throughout the Blue Mountains. Coastal communities and tourist towns are frequent hotspots for bear activity - even in fairly densely populated areas.

Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) said vacation rental managers play a key role in preventing bear conflicts. The agency recommends providing bear-resistant trash cans and educating guests on proper use. Sharing BearWise tips can help reduce the risk of bear encounters.

Skyler Gerrity, an ODFW Assistant Wildlife Biologist with extensive coastal experience, emphasizes that unsecured trash is one of the leading causes of bear visits to neighborhoods.

Photo Alicia Harck.: A black bear tried its best to get into a Neskowin homeowner’s bear resistant trash can.

“Bears can smell food from miles away and home in on that source,” Gerrity said. “Leaving trash cans unsecured or accessible gives bears the opportunity to rummage through garbage, which can create a dangerous situation for people - and the bears too.”

Bears can also remember well where they have found food in the past. Indeed, the mothers pass this knowledge to their cubs. Feeding bears, even unintentionally, can lead to long-term problems across generations. Bear tracks were found on an Oregon coast beach near Brookings by park rangers.

Fortunately, most bear-human conflicts are preventable. Bears prefer to avoid people, but easy meals are hard to resist. Removing that which attracts them is the most effective way to keep bears wild and communities safe.

To be BearWise, follow these tips:

- Never feed or approach bears. Feeding bears- intentionally or not - teaches them to associate people with food. It’s also illegal in Oregon (ORS 496.730).
- Secure food, garbage, and recycling. Use locking lids, metal bars, or enclosed storage. Only put trash out right before pickup.
- Remove bird feeders. Natural food sources are sufficient for birds.
- Feed pets indoors and store pet food inside. Outdoor pet food attracts bears and other wildlife.
- Clean and store grills after each use.
- Alert neighbors to unusual bear activity, such as daytime sightings or lack of fear around people or pets. Share these tips with your community.

Bear at Cannon Beach, 1930a - courtesy Cannon Beach History Museum

These simple actions can make a big difference. For help with bear-related issues or to report concerning behavior, contact your local ODFW office. For immediate safety concerns, reach out to Oregon State Police.

Learn more: https://myodfw.com/articles/help-keep-bears-wild

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