Hudson Valley officials are urging residents to be aware of bears this spring.

If you happen to encounter a bear, make loud noises to scare the bear away. It's important to remain stay calm and back away from the bear slowly.

If you want to prevent a late-night visit from a bear, make sure to secure your garbage cans so they don't come out for a midnight snack.

"Here it's like a smorgasbord board for wildlife. The bears will come out on the lawn at night, and you don't want to be surprised,” says Warwick Town Supervisor Michael Sweeton.

If you encounter a bear, make sure you report it to the nearest regional Department of Environmental Conservation office near you.