Hungry bears on the move

This year, people are seeing more bears during the daylight hours across Douglas County. State wildlife officials said the unusually warm, dry winter meant less natural food for bears, sending more of them to scout the neighborhoods.

“The berries and cherries bears should be eating in the wild are not as plentiful,” said Kara Van Hoose, public information officer with Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW). “They still need to eat.”

Kara said bears are smart and have good memories when it comes to finding food. Trash is the biggest thing they are looking for. Once they find unsecured trash, they often come back to the same neighborhoods and may even learn trash pickup schedules. Bird feeders are also a common food source.

“It’s a really easy buffet for them, but it’s unhealthy for their digestive system. It brings bears closer to our homes and helps them see our backyards as places to find food,” Kara added.

Residents are encouraged to remove bird feeders and secure food sources. That includes locking car doors and windows, keeping garages closed, and storing trash where bears cannot get to it until the morning of pickup.

To deter a bear, and as long as bears are moving toward open space, wildlife officials usually let them go on their own. Officials try to avoid capturing bears when possible because it can create safety risks for both people and wildlife.

“It’s better for the bear to learn it on its own to reinforce those good behaviors,” Kara said. “But if a bear is stuck somewhere or not moving in a good direction, we’ll decide if relocation is the best option.”

Kara noted residents can haze bears to scare them away from homes. That can include loud noises, bright lights, banging pots and pans or setting off a car alarm. “This is healthy behavior because it helps keep bears afraid of people,” she said.

For more information, safety tips or to report bear sightings, visit Colorado Parks and Wildlife at cpw.state.co.us/living-bears. For more information on other wildlife education and rehabilitation, see related article on Rocky Mountain Wildlife Alliance here.