Bear Sightings In Woodland Park
We're expecting a big storm today, so I went out this morning to take more photos of the fall color in Woodland Park and around Teller County. Didn't even get out of the neighborhood before I saw this visitor!
It's not uncommon to see bear in and around Woodland Park, especially in the fall when the bear are out seeking as much food as possible before hibernation begins. All the bears we see in Colorado are 'black bear', even though many are brown, cinnamon, or even blonde in color.
It is said that bears have the best sense of smell of any animal on earth. A blood hounds sense of smell is 300 times better than a human's, and a bear’s sense of smell is 7 times better than a blood hound’s, or 2,100 times better than a human's. "A black bear in California was once seen to travel upwind three miles in a straight line to
reach the carcass of a dead deer."
They also have good eyesight, although are nearsighted and don't see well in the distance. It is reported that they see in color, which aids them in finding food such as berries and fruit.
We've all heard the saying, "A fed bear, is a dead bear", and know, or should know, the importance of bear-proofing your home. A bear that is deemed a nuisance, will be destroyed by the Division of Wildlife after it is trapped a second time. This can be avoided if we keep in mind the necessary steps to prevent the problem. Follow this link to learn more about how to keep yourselves, and the bear, safe.
In drought years, bear-human encounters are more common, as finding food is more difficult for the bears, and garbage raiding is seen by the bears as an easy food source.
In September 2007, ESPN Outdoor news reported:
"Colorado wildlife officers have killed at least 30 black bears this summer for having run-ins with people. Landowners defending livestock and federal agents have killed 42 more, and 29 bears were killed by vehicles. Bear mortality could rival 2002's record total of 404. There have been at least 877 reports of human-bear encounters this year, compared with 502 for all of last year."
Here are some tips from the American Bear Association if you should encounter a bear:
Stay calm - DO NOT RUN (running may elicit a chase response by the bear).
-
Pick up children so they don't run or scream; restrain dog; avoid eye contact and talk in soothing voice.
-
If the bear stands up, he is NOT going to attack but is curious and wants a better sniff or view.
-
Back away slowly; if bear chomps jaw, lunges, or slaps ground or brush with paw, he feels threatened.
-
Slowly retreat from area or make wide detour around bear; don't crowd or block bear's escape route.
Note: Bear attacks on humans are extremely rare. A person is 180 times more likely to be killed by a bee and 160,000 times more likely to die in a car accident. Most injuries from black bears occur when people try to feed, pet, or crowd them. Bears will nip or cuff bad-mannered humans, as they will bad-mannered bears. They are very strong and powerful animals; bears should always be treated with caution and respect.
What to do if a bear gets in your house? (Yes, sometimes they DO!)
- Open all of the doors and windows so you, and the bear, can get out without getting too close.
- Get all of the people in the house outside.
- Go to a neighbor's phone or use a cell phone to call the Colorado Division of Wildlife at 947-2920 or your local police or Sheriff’s office.
A couple of years ago, this bear was up in a tree in front of the Eagle Fire Lodge on Hwy. 24 for 21 hours!
The Forest Service was on hand to protect the bear, and the 100's of people who stopped to take photographs. He finally had enough privacy to climb down and lumber off at about 1 AM the next morning. (Or so I'm told....I didn't stay that long!).
Photos by Debi Boucher, all rights reserved and may not be reproduced without express written permission. Prudential Professional REALTORS, ASP REALTOR, Woodland Park Real Estate, Woodland Park Colorado 80863 – Serving the City of Woodland Park, Teller County, Ute Pass, and Park County since 1997.
Comments(0)