A couple bear sightings have occurred in Southern Manitoba already this season.

Manitoba Conservation said that attractants is the main reason why the bears come into the higher populated areas.

Human wildlife conflict biologist, Janine Stewart stated one item that can attract black bears are bird feeders.

"People love watching birds and seeing birds coming into their yards.  We are really trying to encourage people to attract the birds with a bird bath instead of bird feeders.  Bird feeders, the food that is in them provide a very high calorie food source. Bears learn very quickly they can get the nutrients they require from a few bird feeders rather than spending an entire day scavenging looking for natural food sources."

Stewart noted other attractants include pet food, fallen fruit and left out garbage.

Meanwhile, when in bear country, Stewart explains it's important to have your dogs on a leash.

"We do encourage people when they are in bear country to have their dogs on a leash.  What they have found doing some research is that off leash dogs quite often will sniff out bears, get them agitated by barking at them.  When the bear gets agitated it feels defensive and so it will often chase the dog. The dog will get scared and go back to it's owner with an angry bear on it's tail."

Stewart shares, when in bear country, you should always let someone know where you are going and when you will return.

She added it's also smart to never bring food into your tent when in bear country.

Meanwhile, Stewart explains how to handle an encounter with a bear.

"It's a defensive encounter, where the black bear feels that you're too close, that you're invading its space, or perhaps it feels that you're coming after its food source or it's defending its cubs, it will show certains signs that it's feeling defensive. In that situation, your main course of action is to reassure the bear that you're not a threat, versus an offensive or predatory situation, where the bear is stalking you as prey. In that situation, you would want to convince the bear that you are a threat."

Stewart notes they encourage people to learn how to use bear spray to help protect themselves against the animal.

For more information on how to be bear smart visit www.manitoba.ca/blackbear.