— | The Dallas Post Dallas, PA Thursday, October 24, 2002 3 Now that fall has arrived, many Penn- sylvanians will be spending increasing ‘amounts of time outdoors. This also is when black bears become more active, setting the stage for an increase in bear sightings and possibly encounters. Mark Ternent, Pennsylvania Game Commission black bear biologist, says 1 bears have started consuming massive quantities of food to prepare for the up- coming denning season, which begins in mid- to late-November. However, with the current drought causing many black bear natural food sources to with- er, Pennsylvanians may begin seeing bears searching for alternative food sources in more populated areas. Ternent offered suggestions on how to reduce the'likelihood that your property will attract bruins and how to best react when a bear is encountered. Ternent stressed there are no known records of a Pennsylvania black bear killing: a human, and there have been fewer than 15 reported injuries result- ing from black bear encounters during the past 25 years in the state. However, recent deaths caused by black bears in New York (2002), New Mexico (2001) and Tennessee (2000) have given the Game Commission reason to be con- cerned. Pennsylvania's bear population currently is estimated at 15,000 ani- mals. Cases of habituated bears becom- ing increasingly bold because some Pennsylvanians are failing to keep food away from bears are equally alarming. “Pennsylvanians need to understand that when bears become habituated to their homes or communities, it can lead to conflicts and the potential for serious injury,” Ternent said. “Feeding wildlife, whether the activity is intended for birds or deer, can draw bears into a cer- tain area. Once bears become habituat- ed to an area where they find food, they will continue to return to this area, which is when the bear becomes a prob- lem for homeowners and neighbors. Ternent noted that even food sources not currently attracting bears have the potential to be a problem as bear activi- ty increases. In drought years, bears that usually steer clear of people wan- der closer to residential areas in their widening search for food. Ri) “Ideally, we want these bears to pass by residential areas without finding a food reward that would cause them to stay and become a problem,” Ternent said. “Capturing and moving bears that - have become habituated to humans is costly and sometimes ineffective, espe- cially when faced with the reality that moving a bear behaving badly often only moves the problem, and sometimes only temporarily. That is why wildlife agen- cies tell people that a ‘fed bear is a dead bear.” Ternent listed five suggestions that could prevent attracting bears to a property: * Play it smart. Do not feed wildlife. Food placed outside for wildlife, such as corn for squirrels, may attract bears. Reconsider putting squash, pumpkins, corn stalks or other Halloween or holi- day decorations outside that also may attract bears. Even bird feeders can be- come “bear magnets.” From late Novem- ber through late March; avoid foods that are particularly attractive for bears, such as sunflower seeds, hummingbird nectar mixes or suet; bring feeders in- side at night; or suspend feeders from high crosswires. e Keep it clean. Don’t put out garbage until pick-up day; don’t throw table scraps out back for animals to eat; don’t add fruit or vegetable wastes to your compost pile; and clean your barbecue grill regularly. If you feed pets outdoors, consider placing food dishes inside overnight. e Keep your distance. If a bear shows up in your backyard, stay calm. From a safe distance, shout at it like you would to chase an unwanted dog. If the bear won't leave, call the nearest Game Com- Harveys Lake (continued from page 1) my ideas,” said Boback. Boback is undecided on what mission regional office or local police de- partment for assistance. * Eliminate temptation. Bears that visit your area are often drawn there. Neighbors need to work together to re- duce an area’s appeal to bears. Prompt- ly report road-killed deer to ensure their quick removal. Ask area businesses to keep dumpsters closed and bear- proofed (chained or locked shut). » Check please! If your dog is barking, or cat is clawing at the door to get in, try to determine what has alarmed your pet. But do it cautiously, using outside lights to full advantage and from a safe position, such as a porch or an upstairs window. All unrecognizable outside noises and disturbances should be checked, but don’t do it on foot with a flashlight. Black bears blend in too well with nighttime surroundings providing the chance for a close encounter. Ternent also advised: e Stay Calm. If you see a bear and it hasn't seen you, leave the area calmly. Talk to the bear while moving away to help it discover your presence. Choose a route that will not intersect with the bear if it is moving. e Get Back. If you have surprised a bear, slowly back away while quietly talking. Face the bear, but avoid direct eye contact. Do not turn and run; rapid Game Commission offers advice on how to avoid ‘bear necessities’ movement may be perceived as danger to a bear that is already feeling threat- ened. Avoid blocking the bear’s only es- cape route and try to move away from any cubs you see or hear. Do not at- tempt to climb a tree. A female bear can falsely interpret this as an attempt to get at her cubs, even though the cubs may be in a different tree. e Pay Attention. If a bear is displaying signs of nervousness or discomfort with your presence, such as pacing, swinging its head, or popping its jaws, leave the area. Some bears may bluff charge to within a few feet. If this occurs, stand your ground, wave your arms wildly, and shout at the bear. Turning and running could elicit a chase and you cannot outrun a bear. Bears that ap- pear to be stalking should be confronted and made aware of your willingness to defend by waving your arms and yelling while you continue to back away. * Fight Back. If a bear attacks, fight back as you continue to leave the area. Bears have been driven away with rocks, sticks, binoculars, car keys, or even bare hands. More information on black bears is available on the Game Commission's website (www.pgc.state.pa.us) by click- ing on “Wildlife,” and then selecting “Black Bear in Pennsylvania.” ’s great for the New drop-off point for BMT he will do after graduating next spring. He is looking at entering the Naval Academy or possibly the University of Pennsylvania. He is interested in both the med- ical field and engineering. “I'm not too decided yet, but I'm get- ~ community and. for the young people, it gives them a voice.” Ed Kelly food pantry The Back Mountain Moun- tain Food Pantry sponsored by the Back Mountain Ministeri- um is in need of many food items. i By ERIN YOUNGMAN Post Staff DALLAS TWP. — “We used to have artwork hanging around: the room, now we can have it on the web for everyone to see,” said Ernest Ashbridge, Dallas | School Board Chairman, about how technological advances | have changed classrooms at Dallas. At the October School board ! work session, Laura Matechak, Educational Technologist for the | Dallas School District, demon- strated some of the ways new Matechak discussed how teachers in the district are able to utilize existing technology to combine children’s artwork with music. Matechak and Kinder- garten teacher Victoria Flynn demonstrated a Microsoft Pow- erpoint presentation that Flyn- n’s Kindergarten class put to- gether last year. The project tied together the children’s artwork with a musical theme. Using the song, “The World's Greatest,” for inspiration, Flyn- n’s class drew pictures for each verse of the song. The pictures were. then scanned into Power- POST PHOTO/ERIN YOUNGMAN ( } Kindergarten Teacer Victoria Flynn and Educational Technologist Laura Matechak demonstrated some of the Dallas technology to the school board. Dallas makes high-tech useful, fun § the students’ artwork. Matechak also previewed new “teacher pages” that have been added to the main district's web page. The pages allow parents and students to access class in- formation that teachers are enouraged to put on the web. Every teacher has a link to their own computer “folder,” where information pertaining to their classes can be added. Informa- tion such as calendars, syllabi, and homework assignments can now be accessed by parents and students at home. ting there,” said Boback. The junior councilman pro- gram is in its pilot year. Kelly said if it goes well, and he antici- pates that it will, council will ap- Borough Council President The client population grew over the past year creating a Adopt-A-Family for Christmas The Catherine McAuley Center is preparing for another season of matching local families /business/organizations with needy families in Lackawanna and Luzerne Counties. The Center is the linking agency to people who are in need to people who have more than they need and want to help. If you would like to apply, applications for the Adopt-A-Family program will be taken Monday and Thursday from 1 to 5 p.m. through November 4, or until predetermined quota is met at the Catherine McAuley House, 121 Church St., Plymouth. Call 779- 2801 for details on application procedures. proach the high school to seek another motivated and interest- ed student for the following year. larger need than in years past. Due to the construction at Trucksville United Methodist Church Education Building, it is not possible to accept food items at the Education Build- ing. Food collection points have been established at St. Paul's Lutheran Church and Shaver- town United Methodist Church. They will deliver the food sup- plies to the Food Pantry at the former Kingston Township Mu- nicipal Building in Trucksville. Anyone with questions about the Food Pantry may call 696- 3897. Tonight, Dinners on the House (literally To access the new pages, go to the main Dallas website, www.dallassd.com, and click on “teacher pages.” ao i up to 75% of your home's value*, while enjoying a low interest rate, | sn i NO FEES, and immediate availability with your MAC/Visa card o or personal checks, and a possible tax deduction. 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