The Bears are Coming

It's that time again. Hungry bears are coming out of hibernation with only one thing on their minds - food. If you live in the mountains around Lake Tahoe, the food they come looking for may be yours. Long-time Tahoe residents already know this, but people new to the area should know what to do if black bears decide your house and property are their newest diner. Not only is knowing how to deal with bears vital for human safety, it is critical for keeping these magnificent animals wild and safe as well. And lest city dwellers become complacent, visits by bruins are not uncommon in neighborhoods around Reno, Verdi, and Washoe Valley.

Our early May rains may work to keep bears in the woods where they belong, but according to the Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW), hot weather such as we've had recently could dry up their food supply and send them searching for fodder among human habitations. So far this year, bear incidents are at a normal level and wildlife officials would like to keep it that way. They would like to avoid a year like 2007, when a bumper crop of 1,531 bear incidents were logged.

NDOW's Are You Bear Aware? website shows bear country residents how to stay safe, minimize bear trouble, and keep wild bears wild. The NDOW Dispatch Center in Reno now has a hotline for reporting bear problems (not mere bear sightings) - (775) 688-BEAR (2327). It is available from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m.

The Bear League at Lake Tahoe has more information about living with bears, learning about bears, and eliminating unpleasant encounters. The phone number is (530) 525-PAWS (7297).

The 10th Western Black Bear Workshop is currently going on at the Peppermill Resort Casino, 2707 S. Virginia St. in Reno. A program titled Bears of the World, presented by bear expert Dave Garshelis, is at 7:30 p.m. Thursday and is open to the public. It will be in the Tuscany Ballroom.

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