Fall bear ‘Eat-a-thon’: What to know as Oregon bears prepare to hibernate

Fall bear ‘Eat-a-thon’: What to know as Oregon bears prepare to hibernate

Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife is reminding residents the fall bear “Eat-a-thon” is returning.

As winter approaches, bears take their first steps into hyperphagia, a period where they must eat excessively and almost non-stop in order to prepare to hibernate.

ODFW calls this hyperphagia-period the Eat-a-thon and is reminding people to be aware of feasting bears.

A bear cub is seen in bushes.

A bear cub is seen in bushes.

What is hibernation and hyperphagia?

Hibernation is when a bear slumbers over the winter months while food is scarce. This length varies depending on where the bears live but can last up to seven and a half months.

During that time, they do not eat or drink anything. Their body temperature and pulse will drop significantly to conserve energy, and they will live off their fat stores. In order to successfully do this, they must pile on as much fat as they can during the summer and fall months.

Bears prepare to hibernate by going through an extreme feeding period late in the summer and into the peak of fall. They typically search for fruits and berries and will sometimes forage for up to 20 hours a day.

During this feasting period, bears will search for food almost anywhere and will always accept an easy meal.

A black bear wanders through a yard in the south hills of Eugene in 2023.

A black bear wanders through a yard in the south hills of Eugene in 2023.

Why it’s important to avoid feeding bears

Living in or visiting Oregon means having to co-exist with bears, but that doesn’t mean it’s appropriate to feed them. Bears used to “people food” can become a threat.

Bears can remember where their food comes from and even pass this knowledge down to their young, resulting in negative and sometimes catastrophic effects for both the bears and people.

How to stop bears from eating garbage, other food

To co-exist with bears, the best practice is to leave them alone. Never approach or feed a bear because they will come to associate people with food.

Bears have the ability to smell food from multiple miles away, so Oregonians, especially those who live in rural areas, should secure or remove anything that might attract a bear. This includes securing trash cans, pet food, bird seed feeders, livestock and poultry feed, and other food sources left out in the open or easily accessed.

Get rid of any bird feeders during the time bears are looking for food and try to feed pets indoors. Barbecues and grills should be cleaned and stored away for the winter or maintained after each use.

This applies to anyone visiting Oregon or managing vacation rentals. Property managers should ensure that rentals have bear-resistant trash cans and inform guests about the potential for bear encounters.

Bears are also prevalent along the coast, so residents and visitors need to be vigilant of their surroundings.

How to stay safe from bears

Stay alert for bear activity and communicate with friends and neighbors if you see a bear. If a bear is encountered, contact your local district ODFW office for assistance and report any safety concerns to Oregon State Police.

To learn more about how to help keep bears wild, go to the ODFW website.

Ginnie Sandoval is the Oregon Connect reporter for the Statesman Journal. Sandoval can be reached at GSandoval@gannett.com or on X at @GinnieSandoval.

This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: ‘Eat-a-thon’: ODFW warns of Oregon bears preparing to hibernate

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