The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department is recommending that people take down their bird feeders and remove other sources of food that could attract black bears coming out of their winter dens.
The warm weather and melting snow has prompted the bears to come out of their winter dens early this year.
Aside from bird feeders, bears may also be attracted to pet food, barbecue grills, garbage, open Dumpsters and campsites with accessible food and food waste.
Purposely feeding a bear is illegal in Vermont.
Copyright The Associated Press
