Black Bears



Colorado has been home to bears since their earliest ancestors crossed the Bering Land Bridge. These large, intelligent animals play an important role in the ecosystem. Today, increasing numbers of people routinely live and play in bear country. For many people, seeing a bear is rare and the highlight of an outdoor experience. Learning about bears and being aware of their habits will help you fully appreciate these unique animals and the habitat in which they live.

Grizzly bears have been extinct in Colorado since about 1970. ALL bears in Colorado are AMERICAN BLACK BEARS, even though some may not have black fur. It's not unusual for black bears to have brown, cinnamon-colored or even blond fur!

Where bears and people share habitat, following these simple precautions will reduce your risk of conflicts:

• Learn as much as you can about bears and their habitat.
• Make your property safe by keeping garbage out of reach and smell of bears.
  • Store trash in a closed garage or shed or use a bear-proof trash container.
  • Don't place your trash outside until the morning of trash pickup.
  • Be sure garbage cans are emptied regularly.
  • Periodically clean garbage cans to reduce residual odor - using hot water and chlorine bleach.
  • The Pitkin County Wildlife Protection Ordinance requires that all trash containers left out overnight are bear-proof.
• Do not leave pet food out.
• Hang bird feeders out of a bear's reach and take it down during periods of high bear activity.
• Keep barbeques clean and grease free. Store with livestock/pet feed and other attractants inside a sturdy building.
• Fruit trees: Pick all ripe fruit from the tree and surrounding ground.
• Compost piles may atract wildlife, especially bears. Do not put meat, fish and other pungent scraps in compost piles. Add lime to reduce odors and accelerate decomposition.
• Never feed wildlife - it's against the law! Feeding marmots, squirrels, and deer can atract bears.

Hiking in Bear Country

• Know what areas a bear may use during different seasons.
• Be Aware of Your Surroundings: Try to determine if bears may be present. Watch for bear sign (tracks and droppings).
• Make Noise: Talk, sing or clap your hands to let a bear know of you presence. Don't rely on bells, usually they are too quiet. Shout often, especially when traveling upwind, near streams and waterfalls, or when you cannot see the path ahead.(Avoid thick brush.)
• Be Alert: Watch for bear sign such as tracks, droppings, diggings, rocks rolled over, scratch marks on trees and logs torn apart. Carry binoculars and scan ahead periodically.
• Don't Hike Alone or at Night: Bears are most active at dawn, dusk and night, but can be encountered any time. Groups of three or more people tend to make more noise and appear more formidable. This makes groups safer than solo hikers.
• Stay on Trails: for your safety and to protect the habitat.
• Avoid Odorous Items: Leave foods and beverages with strong odors, scented deodorants and lotions and other odorous items at home. A bear's acute sense of smell can detect odors from great distances. Dry foods are both lighter and less smelly.
• Stay with Your Gear: Don't leave your packs, food or beverages unattended; even food or beverages stored under water may attract bears.

If You Encounter A Bear, detour as far away as possible while monitoring the bear's behavior. If the bear is close to the trail and you cannot bypass it or return the way you came, wait for the bear to leave the trail area. If the bear is approaching you, identify yourself as human by allowing the bear to see and hear you. The bear should divert its direction and avoid you.

There are no definite rules about what to do if you meet a bear. In almost all cases, the bear will detect you first and will leave the area. Bear attacks are rare compared to the number of close encounters. However, if you do meet a bear before it has had time to leave an area, here are some suggestions:

• Stay Calm. If you see a bear and it hasn't seen you, calmly leave the area. As you move away, talk aloud to let the bear discover your presence.
• Stop. Back away slowly while facing the bear. Avoid direct eye contact as bears may perceive this as a threat. Give the bear plenty of room to escape. Wild bears rarely attack people unless they feel threatened or provoked.
• If on a trail, step off the trail on the downhill side and slowly leave the area. Don't run or make any sudden movements. Running is likely to prompt the bear to give chase and you can't outrun a bear.
• Speak Softly. This may reassure the bear that no harm is meant to it. Try not to show fear.
• Coming between a female and her cubs can be dangerous. If a cub is nearby, try to move away from it. Be alert - other cubs may be in the area
Bears use all their senses to try to identify what you are. Their eyesight is good and their sense of smell is acute. If a bear stands upright or moves closer, it may be trying to detect smells in the air. This isn't a sign of aggression. Once it identifies you, it may leave the area or try to intimidate you by charging to within a few feet before it withdraws.
• Fight Back if a bear attacks you. Black bears have been driven away when people have fought back with rocks, sticks, binoculars and even their bare hands.

What to do if you see a bear in town?
Treat it like a movie star... enjoy the experience and move along.

Looking for a few ways to discourage bears from feeding at your house?...Bear Deterrants

What to do if a bear gets in your house?

1. Open all of the doors and windows you can without getting too close.
2. Get all of the people in the house outside.
3. Go to a neighbor's phone or use a cell phone to call the Colorado Division of Wildlife at 947-2920 or your local police or Sheriff’s office.

Remember

• People create problem bears.
• Garbage kills bears.
• In Colorado, a problem bear will be destroyed after it's trapped a second time.
• A Fed Bear is a Dead Bear.