Info on Colorado bears this fall and resources
In September, bears become very active and increase their eating, a process called hyperphagia. They can gain up to three pounds a day and add about four inches of fat. In October they start to eat non-stop. Yes, that is 20 to 22 hours a day, to reach their goal of 20,000 calories a day.
It is time to adjust your behavior so you can minimize your impact on our black bears. Lock down your stock feed, bird seed, and trash. Use certified bear-proof containers, if they must be outdoors. Yes, some hearty bears have been known to crash/drop and open garbage bins, but this has not been seen in Lyons. Report to business owners if you see their trash not being protected properly. Go inside or call or email. Yes, the need to calm down annoyed customers can result in action.
Despite there being some drought, this year there is an abundance of berries and apples to support natural foraging.
Let’s do what we can as good citizens to move these bears into appropriate behavior so less of them get shot. Always haze them when they get into your personal space/yard.
Black Bear Facts at a Glance
Black is a species, not a color. In Colorado, many black bears are blonde, cinnamon, or brown. With their bulky fur coats, bears can look bigger than they are. Males average 275 lbs.; females average 175 lbs.
Over 90% of a bear’s natural diet is grasses, berries, fruits, nuts and plants. The rest is primarily insects and scavenged carcasses.
Black bears are very wary of people and other unfamiliar things. Their normal response to any perceived danger is to run away or climb a tree.
Most Colorado bears are active from mid-March through early November. When food sources dwindle they head for winter dens.
With a nose that’s 100 times more sensitive than ours, a bear can literally smell food five miles away.
Bears are very smart, and have great memories – once they find food, they come back for more.
During late summer and early fall bears need 20,000 calories a day to gain enough fat to survive the winter without eating or drinking.
Bears are not naturally nocturnal, but sometimes travel at night in hopes of avoiding humans.
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The black bear numbers from Colorado Parks and Wildlife
2023: 3,526 reports, 33 relocate, 63 euthanized
2022: 4,147 reports, 59 relocate, 94 euthanized
2021: 3,598 reports, 51 relocated, 66 euthanized
2020: 4806 reports, 118 relocated,158 euthanized
LIVING WITH BEARS “RESOURCES”
Living with Bears: A Practical Guide to Bear Country
Colorado is fortunate to have Linda Masterson, author of Living with Bears: A Practical Guide to Bear Country as one of our Bear Aware team volunteers. Please visit site for more information about this book and how to live responsibly in bear country.
Living with Bears Brochure (pdf)
Learn how to co-exist with bears safely.
Camping and Hiking in Bear Country
Tips from CPW for safe outdoor recreation in bear country, and what to do if you encounter a bear.
Keep Bears Wild Pledge (pdf) == this link is temporally not working; we have written CO Wildlife office, and will insert it, if we get it.
You will need to copy the signed form, or print two copies, so you will have one to mail in after you have reviewed and completed the form.
===BEAR PROOFING===
Bear-Proofing Your Home or Business
Learn how to keep bears out of your home and get rid of attractants, including taking down birdfeeders while bears are active.
Bears and Bird Feeders: What You Need to Know (pdf)
Contains easy checklist, hibernation information, how to attract birds not bears, when to remove feeders if bears are causing problems.
Building a Secure Beehive Enclosure (pdf)
Instructions and tips for building a bear-resistant beehive enclosure.
Electric Fencing Guide
Information from the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks website