Bearing up to black bear visits

Through the years, the Courier has documented a range of unexpected animal encounters in our area. Roaming wild turkeys, pet goats being walked, and the ongoing presence of lynx, coyotes, snakes, prairie dogs and foxes have intrigued and delighted residents.

In recent weeks, however, bears appear to be getting more habituated to our community. Visits (and suspected visits) by bears is a popular topic of conversation in the area. Front door cameras record bear activity regularly in the Niwot area, bear scat is discovered in yards and on trails, and pets often exhibit unusual alarm, which is often suspected to be a result of bear activity. Niwot resident Mike Atkins said, "We've had an uptick in bear sightings recently. While we've lived in our house on Greenwood Drive for 25 years, only in the past couple of years have we witnessed bears visiting our house. They've been in the neighborhood, we just hadn't seen them."

Atkins continued, "Last week, while we were not at home, our neighbor sent us a video of two bear cubs playing on our driveway. In talking about the video with others in the neighborhood, we've heard these cubs and their mom are making the rounds here."

As bears are becoming more and more of a presence in town, keeping bear safety top of mind can keep residents, their pets, and the bears safer. Colorado Parks and Wildlife, the nonprofit Bears and People, and the Boulder Bear Coalition provide safety tips specifically focused on bear encounters.They also have suggestions on how to discourage bears from being in our area, so they'll return to their natural habitat – which is safer for everyone.

1. Be bear aware: Continue to remain aware of any wildlife encounters that are in your area. In past years, locations near Niwot High School and the Overbrook neighborhood have been frequently visited. This year, visits have been suspected in subdivisions near 83rd Street, Neva Road, and 95th Street, among other places.

2. Manage your trash: Black bears are curious and resourceful, and they see your trash as a food source. Keep garbage, recycling and compost contained, indoors if possible. If it needs to remain outdoors, secure trash and rinse recyclables.

3. Keep your outdoor grills and firepits food-free: It's easy to leave old food on or just under your grill grates, or to keep dropped food within firepits. This can inadvertently lure bears to your property. Try to remove these once the grill or fire pit is cooled.

4. Don't leave food in your car: Stories about bears entering cars at campgrounds make their way around the internet from time to time. No one wants to experience this destruction of property in their own lives. Consider any trash that may be in your vehicle and try to remove it nightly.

5. Reconsider the presence of bird feeders: Bird feed and the other animals it attracts will make your property more appealing to bears. If you suspect bears are active, consider removing your bird feeders.

6. Harvest fruit trees efficiently: Fruit trees provide a tempting food source for bears. If you have fruit trees on your property, harvest it efficiently and try to remove anything that drops to the ground on its own. This further reduces bears' food source.

7. Be aware of your pets: Be aware of your pets' reactions as they may identify a bear in the area before you do. Be watchful if you let them outdoors, even in your yard, and reconsider letting them off leash during walks. This is particularly true for smaller-sized pets, though any animal is going to be challenged if they have to confront a bear, and may inadvertently provoke a bear into dangerous behavior.

8. Secure chicken coops and on-site gardens: Consider electric fencing around chicken coops, and near gardens to reduce the possibility bears will see these as a food source.

9. If you see a bear: If you see a bear, it is not time for an up-close photo op. Give them plenty of room. If they are near you, don't get close. If it is not engaging with you, try to leave it alone, make plenty of noise so it stays away, and leave the area. Make sure the bear has an escape route so it can leave the area without getting too close to you. If a bear doesn't leave but just stands up, wave your arms overhead and talk calmly. Try to maintain a normal tone of voice. They are likely just trying to get a better look at you. If a bear approaches, stand your ground. Bring out bear spray if the bear gets within 40 feet. For more on what to do during a bear encounter, visit cpw.state.co.us/learn/Pages/LivingwithWildlifeWildBears.aspx

10. Consider bear hazing: Bears belong in the wild and are coming here because they have fewer options as development reduces their natural habitat. If you see them on your property and are safe from them, consider hazing techniques such as banging pots together, yelling and whistling.

Black Bear Facts

Source: Colorado Parks and Wildlife Website

- Black is a species, not a color. In Colorado, many black bears are blonde, cinnamon, or brown.

-With their bulky fur coats, bears can look larger than they are. Males average 275 lbs, females 175 lbs.

-Over 90% of a bear's natural diet is grasses, berries, fruits, nuts and plants. The rest is primarily insects and scavenged carcasses.

-Black bears are very wary of people and unfamiliar things. Their normal response to any perceived danger is to run away or climb a tree.

-Most Colorado bears are active from mid-March through early November. When food sources dwindle, they head for winter dens.

-With a nose that's 100 times more sensitive than a human's, a bear can literally smell food five miles away.

-Bears are very smart and have great memories. Once they find food, they come back for more.

-During late summer and early fall, bears need 20,000 calories a day to gain enough fat to survive the winter.

-Bears aren't naturally nocturnal, but sometimes travel at night in hopes of avoiding humans.