Los Alamos Reporter

County’s Wildlife Education Message: It’s Bear Month!

Photo Courtesy LAC

COUNTY NEWS RELEASE

Bear month is finally here! The animal of the month for August is the black bear. Over the next few weeks, we will get to know this beautiful, large predator and learn how to live with bears safely and sustainably. Here are some important tips when living in bear country:

IF YOU ENCOUNTER A BEAR:

  • If a bear approaches your home, camp, or picnic, scare it away by making noise from a safe distance: yell, clap hands, bang pots together, or use an air horn.
  • Never try to get closer to a bear for a photo.
  • Don’t corner a bear; give it an escape route.
  • Alert your neighbors or people in the area.

Outdoor Safety:

  • Hike in groups and stay together, especially kids.
  • If you see a bear, watch quietly from a safe distance (at least 50 yards or 10 car lengths for black bears).
  • Never approach.
  • Never run from a bear.
  • Be sure to carry bear spray (if permitted) and know how to use it.

Bears and Dogs:

  • Keep dogs on non-retractable leashes at all times. Don’t force a bear to defend itself.
  • Don’t let dogs bark at, harass, chase, or corner a bear.
  • Store pet food inside and feed dogs inside, if possible. Never leave food/water bowls outside.
  • If your dog gets into an encounter with a bear, don’t try to rescue it. You will get injured. Use bear spray; it works from 30 feet away.

LEARN TO BE BEAR WISE:

Follow these tips at home to prevent bear encounters and help keep bears wild:

Around Homes and Outbuildings:

  • Doors and windows in houses and outbuildings should be kept closed and locked, especially at night or when people are not home. Pay special attention to sliding glass, inward-swinging, French, and doors with lever handles.
  • Crawl spaces and small openings under your home and other buildings need to be barricaded before hibernation.
  • Refrigerators and freezers are kept inside sturdy, locked buildings.
  • Attractants are not stored on upper-level balconies or decks that bears can reach by climbing stairs, trees, or deck posts.
  • Garage doors are kept closed.
  • Coolers with food and drinks are not stored on the porch, patio, deck, or in a vehicle.
  • Pet doors are locked at night.

BBQ Grills and Smokers:

  • Grills and smokers should be stored inside when not in use.

If not:  

  • Drip pans and grates are cleaned after every use.
  • Grills and smokers should be kept covered.
  • Utensils are stored indoors.
  • Food is not left unattended when cooking or eating outdoors.

Trash & Recycling:

  • All trash containers are cleaned often to reduce odors.
  • Recycling is rinsed out and clean.
  • Bear-resistant trash containers are always closed and latched.

If containers are not bear-resistant:

  • Regular trash cans are stored inside a sturdy, locked building or bear-resistant enclosure.
  • Garbage is put out the morning of pick up (not the night before).