In this online video story, the Pocono Record's Mike Kuhns and Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area Park Ranger Chris Cross discuss what to do when you encounter a Pennsylvania Black Bear.

"As a result of Pennsylvania's large human and bear populations, bears and people are coming into contact frequently," Mike Ternent, Game Commission black bear biologist said. "These encounters occur because housing developments and businesses continue to encroach into bear habitat and more bears are living closer to people than ever before. Chance encounters in the field also appear to be more common than before in some areas."

"Now is the time to keep bears from becoming a nuisance later in the summer," Ternent said. "Bears that wander near residential areas in search of food are less likely to stay or return if they do not find anything rewarding. Conversely, if bears find food in your backyard they quickly learn to associate residential areas with food and begin to spend more time in those areas. Encounters between humans and bears increase, as does property damage, the risk of human injury and vehicle accidents involving bears."

"The best solution is to prevent bears from finding food at your house in the first place," Ternent said. "Food placed outside for any reason - whether it is food for wildlife, pets or unsecured garbage - is food available for bears. Homeowners should begin now to remove food sources or make them unavailable to bears."

The Game Commission provides this additional advice on how to avoid attracting bears around your home, farm or cabin as well as what to do if you encounter a bear.

Video Blog: Bare Facts About Bear Encounters

6/20/2008