Orr stated that this is the busiest year in 20 years for bear/human encounters. When asked what is causing so much black bear activity this year, Orr said the main reason is the drought, which has affected their normal diet. Berries dried up early this year before the acorns dropped. Orr stated that almost all bear/human encounters are due to human food and trash. With the reduction in their normal food supply, they are attracted to human food sources and garbage. He said the best way to prevent bears on your property is clean up your yard. He also explained that bear reproduction is related to nutrition. The more well feed they are, the higher the reproduction rate. We also talked with Ann Bryant, Director of the Bear League and wildlife rehabilitation expert. According to Bryant, two prime reasons for the bear/human encounters are the bear’s adaptability and the lack of grizzly bears. When Grizzly bears roamed our foothills, they were a natural predators of the Black bear. With no more grizzlies, black bears must be controlled by humans. Black bears are extremely adaptable. With people being so kind to them by feeding them and babying them, they have learned to become quite comfortable around us, even though their nature is basically bashful.

Bryant said that the black bear can be easily scared off by yelling, and when we don’t chase the bears off our property, they interpret our actions as submissive. When we act in submissive and fearful ways, the bears interpret that action as relinquishing our territory, so they move in.  This is the behavior that is recognized in the wild when one bear confronts a more submissive bear. The more aggressive bear takes over that territory. Feeding wildlife is illegal and both Orr and Bryant strongly discourage this practice. When we feed wild animals, we bring them into harm’s way, because they now must be managed to prevent human injury. Management frequently means the destruction of the animal. Please, Don’t Feed the Bears!