Heads up: It's black bear season in Manitoba

Manitobans may be enjoying their summer, but the province's black bears are already getting ready for winter.

The province says this is the season the animals start loading up on calories to allow them to hibernate.

It says black bears sometimes end up in populated areas in their search for ripe fruit and acorns.

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In order to limit encounters between humans and bears, Manitobans are encouraged to:

• clean up any fruit in their yards
• take down birdfeeders until November, when the bears head into their dens,
• store garbage in a sealed, bear-resistant container
• not to leave pet food outdoors
• clean barbecuethoroughly after every use
• compost food scraps indoors

The province is reminding people that bears are wild animals and must be respected.

It says you should:

• always assume bears are in the area
• never approach or feed a bear
• carry bear spray and know how to use it
• keep dogs on a leash. Don't let them run toward a bear
• don't travel alone and make noise to alert animals to your presence.