There have been a few sightings of a mother bear and 3 cubs in the Hickory Woods area. There have also been bears spotted on the other side of Town near Howard Street. We will be posting a warning at the trail head to Hickory Woods.

PROTECT YOURSELF

• Do not approach bears in the wild. Bears will usually flee from people and move away silently. If you approach from downwind, a bear may not immediately recognize you as a human and may be curious until it scents you. Make the animal aware of you by clapping, talking, or making other sounds.
• Do not intrude between a female bear and her cubs. Black bears almost never attack in defense of cubs, but your continued presence may be stressful to the animal. Don’t assume that unaccompanied cubs are abandoned and handle or capture them. The mother is likely to be nearby and will return for them.
• Black bears will sometimes bluff-charge people when they are attempting to protect or raid a food source, when cornered or threatened, or when courting or mating. Do not run or crouch down but stand your ground and then move slowly away.

For more information on Black Bears in Massachusetts visit http://www.mass.gov/dfwele/dfw/dfw_bears.htm