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Being Bugged by a Bothersome Bear?
Get Educated
The first thing a bear thinks about and his-prime motivation
is FOOD!
- Bears have a tremendous sense of smell
which guides them on their search for food.
- Bears are attracted
to residences in the quest for an easy meal.
- Bear problems
tend to be temporary. If the bear doesn't find food,
he moves on.
- Bear problems need to be addressed
on a neighborhood basis. You can do all the right things
but, if your neighbors do not the bear will stay around.
 Black bears are generally docile.
- When given a way to avoid conflict with people, they
usually take it.
- Bears are not vindictive and
do not "get mad" when
garbage or food is removed.
Black bears are smart.
- They learn rapidly and know where they
have found food in the past. Once they have hit "pay
dirt" they may damage property to
get the food source again.
- Bears can pry open doors, windows,
dumpsters or other structures if they can get their claws
or teeth into a crack or opening. Normally they will
do this only if they smell food inside or have "been
lucky" before.
They can easily tear through screens.
Black bears climb trees when frightened.
- Treed bears will usually come down
if left alone. They may remain in a tree for several
days.
Government policy
- There is NO bear relocation program in the state of
California.
- The California Department of Fish and Game WILL NOT
relocate bears.
**When a complaint is registered
about a problem bear that involves a threat to personal
safety, or property damage, a depredation permit is
issued. A trap is set and ANY bear that enters the
trap is destroyed,**
People who create situations where bears
get food, begin a cycle which usually results in death
of the bear.
Note: County ordinances throughout the
Tahoe Basin require Bear Proof enclosures be installed
and used whenever bears have gained access to garbage.
WHAT CAN YOU DO? BE RESPONSIBLE AND TAKE ACTION!
Eliminate or Mask Garbage and Food Odors.
 Put unscented ammonia or unscented PineSol* ON THE
FOOD inside every bag.- Deodorize garbage cans with bleach, unscented
ammonia or unscented PineSol.*
- Separate "wet garbage
and keep in an air tight odor tight container. Use garbage
disposal whenever possible. Freeze meat bones or other
smelly items until pick-up day.
- "Deodorize" soil or
other porous surfaces where garbage has been stored
and other areas where the bear may have spread garbage
around.
- Clean
the BBQ, especially the drip pan.
Eliminate the source.
- Install a "Bear Resistant " garbage
container. There are several excellent examples now
available for purchase.
- Request a "Bear Resistant" dumpster
for neighbors or homeowner groups, cabin or apartment
complexes, and especially restaurants. Call your disposal
company.
- Put garbage out on the morning of pick-up,
not on the night before (and certainly not all week long!!).
If you cannot be there to put it out, ask a neighbor
to help or take it with you for disposal somewhere else.
- Do not feed pets outside
and don't leave pet food outside.
- Do not leave food in vehicles
or tents. This includes toothpaste, lotions, gum or candy.
- Clean
food from baby seats. Leave NO diapers, clean or soiled,
in the vehicles.
- Remove freezers, refrigerators, picnic
baskets and ice chests stored in open porches, garages
and breezeways.
- Compost piles can be a serious
attractant.
- Rinsing recyclables isn't enough, they
recognize this as garbage and will still forage through
it. Keep it out of sight.
- Bring bird feeders and suet in at night
or whenever there is no one at home. Bears will climb
trees to reach an upper deck feeder.
NEVER FEED BEARS!
Inspect your property
 Close windows at night on accessible ground floors
and decks.- Don't leave pies, baked goods, or any
food in or near a window sill or on a counter where visible.
Sights and smells can be invitations to bears.
- Securely block any access to any potential
hibernation/den sites, i.e. under decks, houses or sheds
before a bear decides to take up residence.
- Strengthen or fortify outside doors
and windows on sheds, cellars, workshops, garages or
any place where food or garbage is kept.
- Pine Sol's oil base evaporates slower
and the scent remains
BEAR League
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