Black bear visits Barrington front yard

YATES COUNTY--Friday morning, June 14, was a jarring sight for Barrington resident Jesse Jayne.
At 7:15 a.m. Jayne looked out his front window at 5036 Bill Bailey Road and saw a large black bear just walking around his front yard.
Jayne said, "It was quite a shocker. This thing was a monster--it was huge. I've been a bear hunter and this black bear was 300-400 pounds." Jayne said he could tell this bear was a boar because of the way it carried itself, its short, stubby ears and that usually a female would have cubs in tow this time of the season.
Jayne said his dog usually barks at strange sounds and animals by the front porch. However, this time, Jayne said, "The dog is smarter than I thought, he stopped barking when he saw the bear!"
The Barrington resident said there was no household food source he was aware of near the front porch and said they have not seen a bear at their location previously.
The state Department of Environmental Conservation website offers this information for residents who may encounter a black bear:
Never approach, surround, or corner a bear--Bears aggressively defend themselves when they feel threatened. Be especially cautious around cubs as mother bears are very protective.
Never run from a bear--stay calm, speak in a loud and calm voice, slowly back away and leave the area.
Use noise to scare away bears from your campsite--yell, clap, or bang pots immediately upon sighting a bear near your campsite.
Do not throw your backpack or food bag at an approaching bear
• Doing so will only encourage bears to approach and "bully" people to get food.
• By teaching a bear to approach humans for food, you are endangering yourself, other campers/residents, and the bears. Most black bears prefer to avoid humans.
In your yard:
• From a safe distance, make loud noises by shouting or banging pots to scare the bear away.
• Once the bear leaves, remove all attractants such as bird seed, garbage and pet food.
• Ask neighbors to remove attractants.
In a building:
• Give the bear a clear escape route.
• Leave any doors open as you back away from the bear.
• Do not lock the bear in a room.
If a bear becomes aggressive and approaches you:
Raise your arms and speak in a loud, calm voice while backing away.
Charges you:
• Stand your ground.
• If you have bear spray, dispense directly at the bear.
Follows you:
• Stay together.
• Do not run, but continue to back away while speaking loudly.
If the bear continues to follow you:
• Stand your ground.
• Intimidate by making yourself look bigger by waving arms, clapping, shouting, banging sticks.
• Prepare to fight or use bear spray.
If the bear makes contact with you:
• Fight back with anything at hand (knife, stick, rocks, fists).