Black Bears are fascinating creatures that illicit many different feelings and emotions among people. The feelings they should evoke are admiration and respect.

Despite all the publicity that bears have received in recent years, many people remain ignorant, selfish and stupid when it comes to bears.
Bears are interesting, intelligent, powerful and potentially dangerous creatures. When they become habituated to people they seem tame and docile. But they remain wild animals, not some anthropomorphic creature from a Disney movie. Certainly nobody in their right mind would mess around with a Rotweiler, especially if it is feeding.
The DEC annually issues its guidelines to prevent bear encounters at home and camp, backcountry and campgrounds. Most of these are common sense but too many people are ignorant, don’t care or selfishly want to get a "close look or good photo of a bear."
Ignoring these guidelines could result in a fine for the offending person and perhaps a death warrant for the bear.
As bears spread their territory across many parts of the state, even casual encounters are more common.
Bears are opportunistic and will snack on many things including bird seed, pet food and garbage. Home and campowners in areas where bears are found should take precautions and remove these temptations from bears by keeping these food sources inside and cleaning their grills, etc. Bears can cause tremendous damage and any bear that has been found to get into homes, etc. will be killed by the DEC.
It is illegal to feed bears in NYS. Anyone who knows of others feeding bears or creating an attraction should contact the DEC.
Perhaps instead of fining people who violate these rules, we should use mace or tasers on them!
In the backcountry you should store food and toiletries in bear resistant containers or hang containers in "food hangs" with a rope 75 feet long, at least 15 feet off the ground, and 10 feet away from the trunk of a tree. However, bears have figured out how to get the goodies from these "food hangs." Bear resistant containers are required for hikers and campers in the Eastern High Peaks Wilderness Area of the Adirondacks. See www.dec.ny.gov/animals/7225 for more information.
Some of these bear resistant containers require a quarter coin to turn the locking device.
Others have squeeze points similar to child proof containers. But there are already cases of bears figuring out how to open the latter type.
The common sense precautions are never leave food unattended, cook early in the evening (before bears start to prowl) and do not cook or eat in the sleeping area.
Of course the smell of bacon grease travels a long way and is a magnet for bears.
Even in campgrounds – both private and DEC – you should never leave food or coolers out. Despite the warnings and handouts, many of cretins still are too lazy or ignorant to put their coolers away. Some campgrounds confiscate coolers left unattended. What they really should do is taser the people who disregard the rules and put other campers or the bears themselves at risk.
Some campgrounds provide food lockers and, if so, food should be stored in them. Bears are resourceful and have been known to pry partially locked food lockers open so the cubs can access the goodies inside. Clean up after cooking and do not be a lazy slob who leaves cooking pots or utensils sitting around.
Keep the campsite clean and follow the same rules about grease, etc. as if you were in the backcountry. Keep food out of sight and close the windows of your vehicle. Bears also love licorice and learn to recognize certain kinds of candy that are licorice flavored such as Twizzlers. At some campgrounds, if kids leave Twizzlers on the back seat of the car, that vehicle is "toast."
Remember that just because a black bear is ambling about in search of food and not charging after you like an Alaskan grizzly does not mean that it isn’t potentially dangerous. Give these powerful creatures the respect and distance they deserve.
Once these animals become habituated to humans as a source of food they will return and become destructive or dangerous. The DEC has no alternative but to destroy them once they become persistent or aggressive. Thus the saying – "a fed bear is a dead bear."

SHORT CASTS

FREE FISHING DAYS: June 25 and 26 are designated as Free Fishing Days in NYS. During these two days anyone can fish in NYS without a license. This is designed to give people an opportunity to sample the fishing that the state has to offer. It is the perfect time for people to reconnect with fishing or to introduce some adult to the fun and relaxation that fishing has to offer.
SPEY NATION: Spey Nation returns to Pineville on June 25 from 8:30 a.m. until 4 p.m. Spey Nation offers the unique opportunity for enthusiasts and manufacturers of two-handed rods to gather in a streamside setting. The Location is the Pineville Boat Launch on the Salmon River. The rumors are true; they are sending one of you to British Columbia again in April 2012 courtesy of The Spey Lodge.
Spey Nation features a full BBQ sponsored by the Oak Orchard Flyshop, raffles, "On the water" demonstrations and interaction with some of the biggest names in two-handed casting from the East and West Coasts. You have the opportunity to learn Traditional Spey techniques from the experts, try specialized equipment on the water and talk with other fishermen in an atmosphere dedicated exclusively to two-handed casting while enjoying a burger and a brew.
Once again, the proceeds of the raffle will be donated to the Fish Creek Atlantic Salmon Club, an organization dedicated to re-establishing native fish stocks to Fish Creek. Learn more about their efforts and follow their successes at www.fishcreeksalmon.org
BASS OPENING: Saturday is the opening of bass season across NYS. Since the state has allowed catch and release before the season in many parts of the state, it is not as big deal as it used to be. However in key areas such as the St. Lawrence River or many parts of the Adirondacks, there is no catch and release prior to the season opener. It is still a big deal in those areas and anglers come from all over the northeast to fish these popular waters. Be sure to let us know how your opening weekend went and perhaps even post your comments on our blog at OneidaOutdoors.blogspot.com
MTO JIGS: It is an axiom that you should learn from success. One of the areas’ most successful anglers has been Bill Alexander of Sylvan Beach who has won several BASS Tournaments and is a regular champion or contender on the State Federation Tournament Trail. Bill typically uses jigs and makes his own for a variety of conditions. He markets them under the name "MTO (made to order) Lures." Bill hand crafts each of the jigs, uses quality materials and designs them for specific uses. Check out his web site at www.billysmtolures.com or call 762-5752 for more information.
LAKE ONTARIO OUTDOORS: The summer issue of Lake Ontario Outdoors is now available at area sportshops, Sweet Temptations Café, and Hanifin Tires. Bigger and better than ever, the topics range from salmon fishing on Lake Ontario to fishing for stream trout with streamer flies. Bass pros like Dean Mekas share their secrets and simplify their techniques while guides like Mike Seymour gives you advice on seeking summer walleye.