By Angie Sullivan
Pefferlaw has many draws for tourists in the warmer months. Great restaurants, friendly residents, and wonderful trails for hiking.
Apparently the region’s black bears agree.
There have been numerous sightings this summer, especially in the neighbourhoods closest to the York Regional Forest wooded lands, like the Pefferlaw Tract.
Sandy, a Pefferlaw resident who lives near Morning Glory Road, saw a large black bear in her yard four times recently.
“I happened to look outside, and there he was, laying down, relaxing, gobbling up Nyjer (bird seed) that spilled from the feeders,” said Sandy. “I pressed the panic buttons on both vehicles, and he took off like a shot.”
Sandy has reported every visit to the Ministry of Natural Resources, and she wants her neighbours watching the treeline too.
“He’s a big boy. Not aggressive, runs away when we open the door,” said Sandy. “There are young kids, small dogs and chicken coops in our neighbourhood.”
Local Georgina Facebook pages also have members flagging bear sightings on Holborn Road and Metro Road to name a few.
The Ministry of Natural Resources says the timing is no surprise.
“Bear sightings are common in Georgina this time of year,” said Mike Fenn of the ministry’s Communications Services Branch. “In spring and early summer, bears may travel long distances in search of food and new habitat. York Region’s natural areas and green spaces provide important habitat and support wildlife movement. As bears move through the landscape, they often follow natural travel corridors such as river valleys, which can bring them into more developed areas and lead to increased sightings.”
According to Fenn, the ministry has logged 95 bear reports near its Aurora Work Centre, which spans several municipalities between Lake Simcoe and Lake Ontario, including Georgina.
Fenn said, “This is comparable to the number of reports received by the same date in 2024 and 2025, and below the 125 reports received by June 30, 2023.”
Sandy’s backyard visitor could be responsible for several of the reports.
Fenn said, “It is important to note that these calls do not represent individual bears, as a single bear can generate multiple reports, particularly in urban and agricultural areas that have less forest cover.”
The Town of Georgina notes bears turn up somewhere in the municipality every year, and that most encounters end with the bear leaving of its own accord. Even so, officials are urging residents to stay alert, especially around pets, small children and livestock.
The town’s website advises calling 911 or local police immediately if a bear threatens personal safety and behaves aggressively.
For non-emergencies, residents can call the toll-free Bear Wise line at 1-866-514-2327 (TTY 705-945-7641), open seven days a week from April 1 to Nov. 30.
The province also recommends securing garbage, pulling down bird feeders during bear season and clearing fallen fruit. More tips are available on the Bear Wise page at https://www.ontario.ca/page/prevent-bear-encounters-bear-wise
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