Please Be Bear Aware

        The temperatures in the desert are soaring into the triple digits, which means prime camping time in the high country is here. Due to the drought, campers should be even more “Bear Aware” than usual this year, say Arizona Game and Fish Department biologists.

        In fact, May is “Be Bear Aware Month.”

        “Due to the lack of moisture this past winter and a record-breaking dry spring so far, black bears are not finding adequate amounts of traditional natural foods. We expect substantially more bears visiting campgrounds, communities and subdivisions in the high country this year,” said Dave Cagle, Pinetop regional game specialist.

        Cagle explained that black bears have acute smelling abilities. “Please keep a clean camp. Do not cook in sleeping areas. Secure all food and trash away from sleeping areas. Remember, bears can’t change their behaviors – only people can.”

        Game and Fish officials added that people should never intentionally feed bears. “You are not doing bears any favor by feeding them. You are only leading them into conflict with humans. Feeding a bear is like signing its death warrant. A fed bear is a dead bear,” said Bruce Sitko, Pinetop regional information and education program manager.

        Sitko added that those residing in bear country should be bear aware as well. “We are asking residents in bear country and summer visitors to store their trash receptacles in a garage or shed until the day of pick up. Don’t put the trash containers out the night before. Also, do not leave pet food out overnight. These two simple acts will go a long way toward deterring bear visits, especially recurring ones,” Sitko advises.

        Here are some basic tips for bear country:

·         Keep your camp clean.

·         Never leave human food, pet food or garbage available and unsecured.

·         Never feed bears.

·         Do not cook in your tent or sleeping area.

·         Store all food, toiletries, and other scented items well away from sleeping areas.

·         Wash-up, change clothes, and remove all scented articles before retiring to a sleeping area. Especially make sure that children wash and change their clothes after eating sweets (such as roasted marshmallows).

Bear Encounters

        Every encounter with a black bear can be different. Bears should always be considered unpredictable and dangerous. More often than not, a black bear will detect you first and flee from the area. However, black bears that have become accustomed to humans and their foods may not run away.

        If you encounter a black bear (or a mountain lion), here are some tips to consider:

ü       Never run. Remain calm. Continue facing the bear. Slowly back away.

ü       Keep children and pets close at hand.

ü       Vocalize – let the bear know you are human.

ü       Make lots of noise. Yell, rattle pots and pans, whistle and break sticks. Carrying a shrill whistle is a good idea, especially for children. Air horns can be frightening.

ü       Stand upright. Do not kneel or bend over. Wave arms, jackets or other materials. Make yourself look as big as possible.

ü       If the bear does not leave or shows no fear of you, then throw things such as rocks, sticks, cooking utensils – whatever is at hand. The intent is not to injure the animal, but to scare it.

ü       Travel in groups, especially while doing activities such as hiking, jogging or mountain biking.

ü       Never approach or corner a bear.

ü       Never feed a bear (or other wild animals).

ü       Be aware of the presence of cubs – never come between a sow and its cubs.

ü       If a bear (or mountain lion) attacks, fight back aggressively.

                “Human-bear encounters happen. So if you see one, please keep your distance. Although injury to humans by black bears is rare, these are extremely strong and unpredictable wild animals. Be bear aware and take every precaution to lessen an encounter,” says Sitko.