While we use them as decorations for Halloween, bears will be looking for pumpkins to spice up their diet for hibernation.
Bears are in a phase where they’re looking for as much food as possible so they are prepared to hibernate.
“So right now, bears are in a phase called hyperphagia. So their out there about 20 hours a day looking for 20,000 calories a day, because they need to fatten up for winter.” says Ted Traer, WildSafeBC Cariboo Coordinator.
“They’re looking for any food source, and a pumpkin is a food source.”
As we get closer to Halloween, it’s important to store your pumpkins overnight so that bears aren’t given a free and easy meal.
As for what you can do with the pumpkin after Halloween, Traer gives a few ideas.
He says using them for muffins, soups, pies are a great way to use pumpkins, as they are still food. As for the insides, he said its best to compost that, however the seeds can be eaten.
If you don’t plan on eating the pumpkin, the best way to dispose of them is by composting it.