Bears!

[Wrightwood]

At the next Wrightwood MAC meeting on June 17,
CA Dept Of Fish & Wildlife Biologist Jeff Villepique will be on hand to talk about keeping bears wild.

Please check out this page on black bears.
http://www.dfg.ca.gov/keepmewild/bear.html

Bear Aware Guide for Homeowners & Renters: (pdf file)
https://nrm.dfg.ca.gov/FileHandler.ashx?DocumentID=57522&inline=1

[joemsosa]

My neighbors told me that Woody was on my roof yesterday at 10am. Unfortunately I wasn't home to greet him I was getting a haircut. No pranks at my house but he went through another neighbors trash. Oriole and Walnut.

[Leftfield]

Im wondering if this critter will break into our ungaraged vehicles that if we leave stuff like gum or fruits or any other edibles inside. 

[flybabyfly]

The bear was meandering down Blackbird about 3:30 this afternoon.  Got a drink near the neighbor's hose.  He took off and got into another neighbor's bear-proof trash can (they weren't home).  Scaled the fence and starting knocking stuff over on their porch.  If I can figure out how to post pictures, we've got some good ones.

[ProTek-IT]

Coming up Heethcreek to Lone Pine today while running and I was passed by a good size bear. I would like to thank the two nice women in the white Suburban who saw the bear, turned around, and drove me down the street to get me out of harm's way. Much gratitude!

The bear ran south up into the higher elevations. Be careful if you live in that area...

[ChrisLynnet]

Oh, geez -- I'm grateful that the women were there too! The one and only time I sighted a bear was up on Heath Creek Wash and I think it took me 60 seconds to get to the county line. Glad you're OK.

My dog and I hike the Wash nearly every day, I think we may change it up for the next few days.

[TimG]

It ran through our backyard in that area around 6pm.  Wife saw it, but it was gone before I got to the window.

[free2bee]

I hope he finds the forest more welcoming and the dining more satisfying in his locale. Thank goodness no one tried to shoot him. Run Woody Run.

[flybabyfly]

I'm sitting on the deck when the dogs start barking. I look up, and see a bear walking down Blackbird. I run out the front door to warn the neighbors and see a car coming my way. Realizing they can't see the bear around the corner, I shout "bear! bear!". I slowly realize it is my husband in the car (I was VERY focused on the bear). He gets out his phone and recorded this video of the bear casing the neighbor's house - and getting pretty close to the neighbor, too!



Getting into the bear-proof can:



I'm ready for my close-up!

[joemsosa]

Woody! It's time you went back home. You're beginning to overstay your welcome. Go before someone calls the bouncer!

[SkierBob]

I agree, the bear needs to be chased off everytime someone sees it.  This bear is headed down the wrong path.  The pictures are neat to look at put if that's all people are doing pretty soon they'll have the oppertunity to take a picture of a dead bear 

[tcaarabians]

It takes a village to chase a bear!

Pot lids ..  spoons on pots.. kazoos.. New Year's Eve noise makers.. bull horns..

But, if this is now the same little cub that was here by himself last year...it's likely gong to take Fish and Wildlife or whomever to tranq him and take him way high up.. and I wouldn't be surprised if little Woody finds his way back.

But, the community working with Fish and Wildlife might be able to work as spotters with them and coordinate a peaceful transition back to the wild. .. or at least wilder part of the forest. cheryl o7o

[Wrightwood]

When a Fish & Wildlife Warden called the other day he said they are having exactly the same issue in Big Bear right now and it's due to the lack of rainfall. He went on to say that it was up to the community members to run the bear off and make it unwelcome. Fish & Wildlife will not do anything about the bear at this point and relocating it is not an option.

He also mentioned that as the dry spell continues he expects more wildlife to be in the community and residents need to remove the bird feeders and dog food from their yards for now.

[SkierBob]

Fish & Wildlife will not do anything about the bear at this point and relocating it is not an option.

Anyone that follows Mammoth Lakes Bear problems knows this is true, If it becomes a safety issue fish and game will eventually shoot it and it won't be with a tranquilizer.

It really is up to the community to make the bear want to return to wild by discouraging it from comming into town.  Your time is better spent hazing the bear then taking pictures of it. 

[pinetrees]

Thanks Wrightwood!  Ditto on not good to put animal food outside for pets - not only might it draw bears but after the flies and other insects get through landing on pet food and possibly laying eggs in it, the food may not be healthy for the pet to consume anyway.  Perhaps feeding and watering pets in a clean, enclosed area is a better option?

[free2bee]

Can we arrange a "Scare the Bear" event? Horn honking-- etc. to drive him up into the woods? Personally I wouldn't know how to begin or how to do it so sensitive nerves of neighbors wouldn't be bothered.

[in my dreams]

When your fruit ripens, be sure to pick it off the trees.

[lemonbird]

We had a sighting over on East Canyon this morning.  Had one up on our back hill.  I think our "loud" barking dogs and every other dog up the street kept it moving along!

[TimG]

Walkers informed me that the bear is on Ash right now going through garbage.

[Stitches]

Sounds about right.   It's trash day today up on the East Canyon side.     Bear may come closer to downtown tomorrow and then the west side on Wednesday for our trash day.     

All this talk about bears is making me really nervous.    I went out last night late and had a flash light.    My light shined on a black object leaning on a tree outside.   I nearly jumped out of my shoes.   Then I realized it didn't move and it turned out the black object leaning on the tree was the bag of trash from the garage that my husband wanted me to put out with the regular trash on Wednesday.