As summer draws to a close, bears are preparing for their long winter nap.
That means bears are on the move looking for food, and many are finding their way into towns and residential areas. Colorado Parks and Wildlife reminds residents to take precautions.
“Bears are entering the stage of hyperphagia when they need to eat up to 20,000 calories a day to get ready for hibernation,” said CPW manager J. Wenum. “People need to be especially cautious with their garbage and food attractants.”
The Dove Creek Press recently reported a brown bear entered an Egnar home, climbing through a 14-inch window. The bear reportedly ripped the door off a refrigerator and heavily damaged the homeowner’s kitchen before it was shot.
CPW officials have also reported multiple incidents recently involving bears coming into contact with people, including an Aspen woman that was injured by a dumpster-diving bear. Bears have also taken aim at chicken pens in Montrose County and made regular visits to residential areas in Grand Junction.
CPW officials warn that giving bears easy access to food allows them to adjust in an area. Once bears find a food source, they can become aggressive and will act to defend it.
“Don’t ever let bears get comfortable in your neighborhood or around your house,” Wenum said.
CPW recommends keeping garbage secured in bear-resistant trash cans and cleaning the cans regularly to keep them odor free. It’s also advised not to leave pet food outside, avoid using bird feeders, ensure compost piles are secured and to clean grills and picnic areas after each use.
CPW officials also recommend harvesting fruit trees and avoid allowing fruit to rot on the ground, and keeping garage doors, bottom floor windows and doors closed when not at home and at night.
To protect livestock, CPW officials suggest erecting an electric fence.
If you see a bear, CPW officials said make the bear feel unwelcome by making noise or throwing things toward its direction, but stay at a safe distance and never approach the animal.
For more information, go to the Living with Wildlife section on the Colorado Parks and Wildlife website at www.cpw.state.co.us.
tbaker@cortezjournal.co
