VIDEO: Startling Number of Bears Spotted Across the Hudson Valley

When it rains, it pours... and right now it feels like you can't two steps in the Hudson Valley without coming face-to-face with a black bear. Do you know what to do to keep your family and pets safe?

There are nearly 10,000 black bear in New York state, and with the weather finally starting to warm, many are emerging from their dens to search for their first meal of the year. Unfortunately, many are wandering a little far from home.

Black Bears Reappearing in the Hudson Valley, NY

"Good morning residents, the black bear has been sighted on property again this morning", read the beginning of a text sent to occupants of a Beacon, NY apartment building. They weren't the only ones to have a visitor. Bears are popping up all across the Hudson Valley.

Black Bear Spotted in Newburgh, NY

Last week, black bears were spotted further north on Pine Woods Road in Hyde Park, NY as well as across the river in Orange County, NY. A Ring camera was able to capture footage of a curious (and large) bear in Newburgh, NY (below).

Black Bear Safety in the Hudson Valley, NY

While fascinating to watch on camera, black bears can cause myriad problems when they wander into human-populated areas. Encouraged by the food they find in unsecured garbage cans, bird feeders, and even groceries inadvertently left outside (below), they are one of the many creatures whose presence could be avoided.

Food Sources for Hudson Valley, NY Black Bears

Similar to dogs, bears can learn behaviors based on past experiences. As the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) puts it, "If an activity results in food, they will repeat that activity". To stay safe, there are several guidelines every New Yorker should follow.

Read More: HAVE YOU SEEN NEW YORK’S “MISSION IMPOSSIBLE” BEAR?

Securing potential food sources is the first step to keep your property bear-free. From garbage cans to miniature donkeys, almost anything edible can be on the menu. While some tasks, like only filling bird feeders in the winter months, are easy to complete, securing livestock with an electrified fence might require the help of a professional. This month may also be an especially dangerous time for encounters.

March is the Month for Black Bears in the Hudson Valley, NY

For bears, March is the month of change. While some bears are ready to fully emerge from their dens, others may simply be "stretching their legs" before returning for more naptime. Either way, bears are hungrier than ever, which means they may have a heightened interest in easy-to-grab snacks. Even toys may not be safe...

Last year, it seemed that Hudson Valley, NY black bears were interested in more than just eating when one curious explorer made themselves at home in a Wappingers Falls family's back yard (above). From investigating pool equipment to bouncing on the trampoline, it would be easy to believe the critter was a person in a fur suited rather than a wild animal.

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While March is usually the first month for bear-spotting in the Hudson Valley, the summer months are when they really find their swing. Check out what happened when a curious black bear visited the SUNY New Paltz campus below, and keep scrolling for more black bear safety tips.