The weather is warming up and as the rising human population encroaches into bear territory, interactions between humans and bears are becoming increasingly common.
But there are things you can do to reduce potential conflict. Colorado Parks and Wildlife spokeswoman Jennifer Churchill offered some of the best ways to keep you, your belongings and the bears safe, whether you live in bear country or you’re just visiting during the summer months.
Living in bear country
- The most important thing is to take down your bird feeder from April to Thanksgiving. “Bird feeders are attractants to bears,” Churchill said. “They are really full of calories and a great reward for a bear that is worth the effort to get to.”
- Secure your trash. Many disposal companies supply bear-resistant trash containers for an additional cost. “Bears can’t get in to get food rewards,” she said.
- Don’t keep any food items like pet food or livestock feed outdoors. “If you have bees, use an electric fence. Bears will go after the honey. Bears will go after chickens and goats or other small livestock. Lock them up in a fully enclosed kennel,” Churchill said.
- Get educated. There is a great ‘Living with Bears Brochure’ on our website that tells you all about living, camping and hiking in bear country,” she said.
Camping/hiking in bear country
- If a campground provides bear boxes to stow your food and other items, like toothpaste, that smell delicious to bears, the likelihood of a bear showing up to search for a food reward is pretty high. “There are bear boxes at campsites,” Churchill said. “Use them!”
- Buy a bear-resistant cooler. “They’re pricey and many people won’t want to make the commitment, but they will save your car from bears,” Churchill said.
- Hide your food out of plain sight, in a locked car. “As a last resort, lock your food up in a car/trunk. If you’re in the backcountry it is recommended that you hang your food far up high between trees in a bag,” Churchill said.
- Keep your sleeping areas clean. “Don’t bring anything in the tent with a scent,” Churchill said. “No toothpaste, food, deodorant. Don’t wear the clothes you cooked in, keep them with your food.”
- Keep your kids safe. “Teach your kids how to treat and interact with wildlife or any animals they don’t know,” Churchill said. “We have a SMART sheet on our website to teach kids what to do when they encounter wildlife.”
- Having a healthy fear of bears not only keeps you safe, but also keeps them alive. “The more folks we have in Colorado, the more visitors, they don’t do the right things and chase them off. It’s great to get cool photos of wildlife, but if a bear, or any wildlife, is changing it’s behavior, you’re too close,” she said.
Churchill stressed that bears have to be put down when they get too comfortable around humans.
“One-hundred bears per year are put down and 100 are relocated statewide and I would say that number is definitely on the rise,” she said. “Everyone who lives west of I-25 should be aware that bears roam all through these areas.”
Churchill said camping is not usually restricted due to the presence of bears, and there are times when you won’t have a warning that they’re in the area. You need to be prepared for any wildlife you may encounter, she said.
“Get outdoors and enjoy wildlife, but get educated on how to do it safely,” she said
