Bear Aware Team still needed in mountain areas

By Carol Strazer
Contributor

Spring in the mountains means the start of 2009 bear season and precautions against enticing bears to human habitats.

Just four years ago in 2005, the Crystal Lakes Community at Red Feather Lakes recorded 122 bear incidents (42 in homes). From 2000 to 2004, the bears had averaged more than 100 break-ins yearly. After numerous interventions, the Division of Wildlife concluded it had to find a different program.

At a husky 6 foot 8 inches, DOW officer Jim Jackson looked ready to tackle anything, including offending bears.

"The bears can peel trailer doors like the lids of tin cans," he said. "They think trailers and homes are like McDonald's - fast food."

Bear damage often adds up to several thousand dollars.

"Too many of our neighbors are feeding the bears," Jackson said. "Feeding is leaving pet food and garbage, uncleaned barbecue grills and bird feeders out overnight."

The officer's talk mobilized the community, resulting in the Crystal Lakes Bear Aware Team. Linda Masterson, author of "Living with Bears," lent her expertise. Capably led by Jane and Jim Tiffin and Curt Livingston, with support of the Crystal Lakes Road and Recreation Association, the team and DOW began an aggressive educational and surveillance program.

Early on, a bear mistakenly identified as a rogue bear and captured live was destroyed in compliance with DOW's policies. Trapping and relocation were not recommended, as bears usually return or are killed by another bear, whose territory it invades. This bear's death, however, did not reduce the number of incidents.

Yet, this bear's execution energized the community as threats of fines had not. Few wanted to destroy a bear. Since the bears considered humans as a friendly food source, the bears needed retraining or aversive conditioning.

Recommended bear deterrents included unwelcome mats (plywood boards with screws or nails inserted up one-half inch and no more than 2 inches apart), air horns, portable electric fencing and a pepper spray for bears (Counter Assault).

The number of bear incidents declined in 2006 to 13 (12 in homes). In 2007, the number was zero.

It appeared the bear campaign was succeeding, until 2008. Then, one Crystal Lakes camper family was rudely awakened at 4 a.m. by a juvenile bear that opened their unlocked car door and ravaged their food box. In Red Feather Lakes, a bear trapped inside a car caused $7,000 damage. The bear had learned how to use outside car handles to get in but not inside handles to get out.

Despite nine bear incidents in 2008, CLBAT leaders and volunteers persevered. Noted for their expertise, they were invited to speak at and train other communities.

With 2009's mild winter and early spring, the bears have emerged a month early. Two bears near Tesuque Trail and a bear on a house deck opposite Glacier View Gate One were spotted in March.

Residents in bear country are reminded to remove bird feeders and garbage, store pet food, clean grills and lock car doors.

For information on dealing with bears, contact the Fort Collins DOW office at 472-4300.