LOCKPORT — A big game expert said Wednesday night that Niagara County residents alarmed by bear sightings are encountering “the juvenile delinquents of the bear family.”

Tim Spierto, a big game biologist with the state Department of Environmental Conservation, made his observation during an address in the North Forest Rod and Gun Club — the first of three forums scheduled to enlighten the public on a spurt of recent bear spottings.

Many of the bears in our region are about 1z years old — about the age they make their own life away from mother.

“It seems too many people get too close, wanting to get a better picture or feed the bears,” Spierto said. “This is the last thing any of us want to do.”

Spierto has tracked bears in Newfane, Royalton, Newstead and Clarence.

“These bears are here, and they’re here to stay,” Spierto said. “Sightings will become more frequent and bear-human interaction will as well. It’s a community issue, and we have to learn how to live in bear country.”

In a recent case, a small bear was seen on Dale Road on Gasport, eating seed from a bird feeder, the Niagara County Sheriff’s Office said Wednesday. Deputies said a “small bear,” 80 to a 100 pounds, ventured onto the deck of a home, then took off into the woods.

Spierto noted black bears “will rarely attack humans, but it does happen.”

Spierto suggested the best way to keep bears away is getting rid of what attracts them— such as bird feeders; also, secure gardens and garbage cans, and take out the garbage the morning it is picked up.

Spierto offered this advice in the off-chance of a black bear encounter:

Give the bear a wide berth and a means of escape. Back away, continuing to face the animal.

Look big — by opening up a jacket or bring your arms out as wide as you can. If you look bigger than the black bear, it will back away and concede, he said.

Don’t run. If you run, the bear’s predator-prey instinct will kick in. People are unable to outrun black bears.

If attacked, fight back as if your life depends on it.

The next forum is scheduled for 6:30 to 8:30 p. m. today in Julia Boyer Reinstein Public Library, 1030 Losson Road, Cheektowaga. The third session is scheduled for 7 to 9 p. m. Tuesday in the Lancaster Municipal Building, 5423 Broadway, Lancaster.