The regional district has issued its annual fall warning for homeowners not to draw bears into residential neighbourhoods by handling garbage improperly.

Bylaws state people must only put out the garbage and other curbside collection carts after 7 a.m. on collection day, a regional press release warns.

“It is an offence under the BC Wildlife Action section 22.1 to attract dangerous animals (bears, wolves, cougars, and coyotes) with unsecured attractants. Store carts inside or in a secure location (ie. a shed) freeze strong smelling food scraps until pick-up day, and maintain a clean cart,” the release says.

In late summer and early fall, bears eat up to 20,000 calories of food a day to get ready for hibernation. “To find enough food before winter, bears tend to move to lower elevations,

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