Are the bears confused by weather?

I've had a compost bin for 9 years, and it was never disturbed by critters. Last night, my dogs warned me somethin' big was in the yard at 2am. In the morning, I found my very sturdy plastic compost bin shredded into little pieces, and my recent deposit of 5 lbs of old apples gone. This is our 4th bear visit in a few weeks, and his first "score." I think this temperate weather has got them confused about hibernating, and their normal food source is depleted. Anyway, be careful about food items around the outside of the house or in the car . . . .