Fruit trees left unpicked are a major attractant for bears.  In Prince George, there are more bears shot in the fall than at any other time of the year.  Most of the bears destroyed feed from residents’ garbage or fruit trees.  Bears require a great deal of calories in preparation for winter hibernation.  

Consequently, bears take advantage of human food sources which offer easily accessible high calorie meals. Any bear that grows accustomed to human food sources like fruit trees is termed food conditioned and often loses its natural born fear of humans (termed habituated).  These bears become a risk to human safety and must be destroyed by Conservation Officers. The old adage, “a fed bear is a dead bear,” is sadly the truth.

If you have unwanted fruit, would like to receive fruit, or would like to help pick fruit, please contact us.  We will gladly connect you with someone who would like to utilize your fruit. 

You can also join our Facebook page Prince George Fruit Exchange for the residents of Prince George to exchange fruits, thereby keeping our source of attractants at a minimal level.

A family of black bears cleaning up an apple tree.