Tuesday, March 9 2010 BRATTLEBORO - State Biologist Forrest Hammond received his first report of bear tracks in the snow last week, and with those reports expected to increase daily, Hammond is reminding people that it is time to take the bird feeders in.

A black bear was killed in Dummerston last year after it was found roaming around a populated area and Hammond wants to keep the same thing from happening this year. "It's getting warm outside and it's time to take the bird feeders down," Hammond said Friday. "The males are wandering around and they are hungry."

Hammond is head of the state bear program with the Fish and Wildlife Department and he said the best way to keep humans and bears separate is by keeping the animals away from backyard food sources.

Bears are highly intelligent, Hammond said, and they are likely to return to a yard if they found food there last year.

Hammond recommends that bird feeders stay down until the first significant snowfall in December to make sure bears stay away from populated areas.

"If they don't find a food source then they won't hang around," said Hammond. "They have not had water or food for five months and if they sense a food source, then they are going to go to it."

Hammond said the bear population in Vermont is strong and growing, and as more homes are built in rural areas the chance for encounters is going to increase.

The bear report he received last week was from Windsor County.

"We are getting reports of bears getting into bird feeders in southern Vermont and at low elevations," Fish and Wildlife Col. David LeCours said. "We are urging people to help by removing any food sources that may tempt the bears."

LeCours pointed out that food sources will draw the animals into backyards, which can lead to game wardens having to kill the bears.

"We care about these bears as much as anyone," LeCours said. "Having to destroy one that has become a threat to human safety is not a pleasant experience, and we know that moving them to another location doesn't change their behavior. They continue to seek food near people because they have learned that it works."

Along with removing bird feeders LeCours reminded people to not leave pet food outside, to wash down barbecues, and to secure garbage containers.

Vermont law prohibits a person from killing a bear that has been attracted to artificial bait and the fine for doing so can be as high as $1,000.