CPW concerned about increased bear conflict, asks public to ‘do their part’

DENVER ( KDVR ) — Wildlife authorities are pleading for Coloradans to “do their part” and help reduce human-bear conflict.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife said in a release Friday that it has seen a “considerable increase in human-bear conflict in July, a worrisome trend well ahead of hyperphagia,” particularly in the southwestern area of the state.

“We’ve had more than 300 bear incident reports to our Durango office already this year,” CPW Southwest Region spokesperson John Livingston told FOX31 in an email.

CPW said they have also seen conflicts in Cedaredge, Gunnison, Montrose, Ouray and Ridgway.

This year, Livingston said there have been cases of bears entering tents at campsites, entering occupied and unoccupied homes and vehicles, and even bears involved in livestock conflicts.

“All of these are concerning, and many can be avoided by keeping clean camps, not leaving doors and windows open and properly securing attractants. We also highly recommend protecting beehives or hobby livestock such as goats and chickens with electric fencing. When properly used, those have proven to be excellent deterrents,” Livingston said.

He said oftentimes, CPW officers will find attractants like bird feeders or pet or livestock food that is stored outside when they respond to calls reporting bear-human conflict.

“Once those are removed, a bear will come back and no longer find a food reward and will, hopefully, move on and not come back. We always prefer these solutions rather than receiving reports only once conflict has escalated to the point where bears are causing property damage or entering homes,” Livingston said.

Wildlife officers like Livingston encourage the public to report incidents and conflicts early so that officers can assess the situation. He said the earlier the report, the better the outcome for both the human and the bear.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife said in a press release that part of the reason officers are asking people to be bear-aware right now is that the bears have yet to enter hyperphagia, which is an increase in feeding activity driven by biological needs.

Bears typically don’t enter hyperphagia until August, September and October, according to CPW.

Be ‘bear aware’

Keep bears out of the house with CPW’s bear-proofing tips :

• Close and lock doors and windows
• Bearproof trash cans
• Guard windows with bars
• Keep garage doors closed
• Have an “unwelcome” mat
• Keep car doors and windows closed and locked
• Remove tree limbs near decks and windows
• Install round door handles
• Play talk radio when you leave home to deter bears

“We also encourage people and businesses to contact their waste hauler to work on getting bear-resistant trash cans and dumpsters, as those are proven to reduce human-bear conflict. Of course, those only work when humans do their part and make sure they are properly closed,” Livingston said.

CPW said storing food, dog food or bird feed in the garage, or anything with an odor in cars or garages can attract bears, including (but not limited to) scented candles, air fresheners, soaps, lotions and lip balms.

If a bear comes near your home, CPW said you can scare it away with a firm yell and loud noises like clapping hands, banging pots and pans or air horns. If a bear enters your home, make sure it can get out the same way it got in.

More bear safety and bear-proofing tips can be found on the CPW website.

If the bear won’t leave, call your local CPW office or, if it presents an immediate threat, call 911.

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