I have been concerned by the huge increase in the number of human/bear conflicts that are occurring in Colorado. I am not afraid of the bear that runs when he sees you. I am afraid of a bear that has no fear or respect for humans, that comes into a yard and destroys the family garden and fruit trees, or that comes on to a familys porch or breaks into a familys house. This is the bear that is going to hurt someone.
Last fall a little boy was killed in Utah by a bear that had been harassing campers for an extended period of time. The family of the little boy is suing the Utah Department of Wildlife for not warning them about and protecting them from this bear. About two years, ago a woman was eaten by bear that she had been feeding in Ouray. Not a good idea to feed bears, but the fact remains that these bears are not afraid of humans and the day is coming when there will be another tragedy in Colorado. Last summer there was the questionable death of a homeless man involving a bear in Durango.
The bear population has exploded in Colorado. In addition to a food source in municipalities, bears are being crowded out of the wild by other bears. Until recently, there has been no way of verifying the bear population. Black bears are nocturnal and in the wild are seldom seen in the daylight. The Colorado Division of Wildlife (CDOW) has developed a scientific method for estimating bear numbers. They string a wire, something like a barbed wire, across a certain path where bears might travel. The wire collects hair samples from each bear that goes under it. The Division can then do a DNA analysis to determine the individual identity of each bear in that specific area, and from this data, they can statistically determine the number of bears. Preliminary results show that there may be four times as many bears now as there were in 1992.
Many people believe that the black bear only eats berries and grubs, but the truth is that the bear is an omnivore, much like humans. They will eat a variety of foods, but they are especially fond of meat, as is evidenced by their long canine teeth.
The Colorado Mule Deer Association and other sportsmens organizations also have huge concerns about the burgeoning population of black bears in Colorado. They have evidence that bears are eating a large number of deer fawns and elk calves, a factor in the reduced numbers of these species. There is also fear that black bears are having a negative affect on other wildlife numbers.
In 1992, 19 years ago, the people of the state of Colorado passed a statutory initiative which put in law the rules for black bear hunting. It is time to make some minor changes to this law to allow the Division to manage black bears. (Ill have more on this subject next week.)
J. Paul Brown represents House District 59 in Colorados General Assembly. The district encompasses San Juan, Archuleta and La Plata counties and parts of Montezuma County. Contact Rep. Brown at (303) 866-2914 or by e-mail at jpaul.brown.house@state.co.us.
