Wildlife officials are reminding Coloradans that with fall weather, bears become more active and human-bear encounters are likely to increase.
This time of year, bears are loading up on calories before they retreat into their dens for the winter in mid-November, the Colorado Division of Wildlife says.
The DOW offers the following tips:
• Do not feed wild animals — in fact, it’s illegal to feed foxes, coyotes or bears.
• Bears view bird feeders as dinner plates. Avoid bird foods that are particularly attractive for bears, such as sunflower seeds, hummingbird nectar or suet; and bring feeders inside at night or suspend them from high crosswires.
• Don’t place garbage outside until pickup day.
• Don’t leave pet food outside.
• If a bear shows up, stay calm. Shout at it. Don’t turn and run; instead, back away and walk slowly to the house.
The Denver Post
