05-01-2023, 11:44 AM (This post was last modified: 05-02-2023, 08:40 PM by John Hardman.)
Hey JimBillies ~
It IS BEAR SEASON again!
I received a photo of LARGE Bear prints in the fresh snow up above Blue Jay near the chimney from Saturday! (photo attached)
Interesting fun fact: I received a photo 1 year ago Saturday from Burt L of a Very Large Black Bear, in the same area. Same Bear
I am guessing.
If you are NEW to our mountains OR not sure how to Protect Your Property AND OUR BEARS, post here and one of our
SOB (Save Our Bears) Team will get in touch to brief you on how to CO-EXIST with OUR BEARS!
TRASH is the Number 1 problem AND solution to keeping your property (homes, cars etc) safe from damage.
Clean and Locked !
Homes and Automobiles.
Stash Your Trash Properly!
Take in Bird Feeders at Night! (or don't feed the birds)
Report sightings on the BB. (critical)
Bears learned to open car doors 30-40 years ago. I often hear of Bears that get into cars but find "NO REWARD". FYI: When the CAR DOOR OPENS, that IS their 1st reward!
Trust me, you don't want a Bear in your home or automobile!
TRASH is the most powerful attractant for OUR BEARS. It will lure them closer to your property and possible "mischief".
If you were smart, and purchased a Bear Proof Can, use it properly, wash it out now and then. AND, Thank You for helping us Save Our Bears!
If you have a Bear Proof trash can, make sure you latch it properly!!! Double check it or you might be feeding a Bear!
Black Sunflower Seed is like crack cocaine to a BEAR! NOT GOOD! And Bears are like Hummers, they remember where they got fed!!!
Reporting ALL BEAR encounters helps us manage and monitor OUR BEAR's activity. We are in touch with CPW when a problem Bear is at risk.
Report on the BB or contact me (I am in the JT Directory)
From 2014 - 2017 WE KILLED 4 BEARS in JIMTOWN. ONE each year. If you have ever observed a BEAR in a TRAP, crying from fear, dehydration, stress; you will never forget it!
I am happy to report that in 2022, we had the fewest BEAR ENCOUNTERS in JT than in any recent year prior. In 2021 i counted between 10-15 different BEARS in our neighborhood!
In 2022, I accounted for only 5 BEARS! THANK YOU JIMBILLIES for helping us SAVE OUR BEARS! PROGRESS! We CAN CO-Exist!
Black Bears are very passive animals, simply trying to survive in the wild. Let us respect all LIFE and "Live and Let Live"!
Please help us SAVE OUR BEARS JT, Bar-K, Peaceful Valley, Ward and everyone in between!
~ SOB john
PS: Everyone who sends me a picture of a LOCAL BEAR, MOUNTAIN LION or BOBCAT receives a "Save Our Bears ~ Jamestown" bumper sticker ! ! ! (while supply lasts)
Great message, John, keep up the good work! Those are some big bear pads.
My neighbor, Charlie, spotted a bear in PV last Tuesday, Apr 25. Here are images, stills taken from trail cam videos, from around my cabin. The mountain lion cruised through on Apr 13. Also have bobcat, coyote, fox, moose and raccoons on recent video. The coyotes and raccoons are hunting in pairs.
Awesome photos Steve! Thanks for the "intel". Those are some good looking and healthy alpha predators.
I will have your Jamestown SOB sticker for you at the next JT Food Share!
After the storm that left 1.5" of hail last night, a large boar bear came through the yard at 10:33 pm, and again at 3:15 am this morning. Caught on two trail cams. The electric fence was energized and the bear didn't get closer than 25 ft. from the house, but a raccoon did get through. The raccoon looks as big as a cub bear.
05-10-2023, 09:58 PM (This post was last modified: 05-10-2023, 10:06 PM by John Hardman.)
Hey JimTOWN !
We gots BEARS in the HOOD! TODAY/Wednesday: hiking west of town on the trail that starts by Lenarcic's, off Gillespie Spur
about 100 yards in, I found a LARGE BEAR pooh full of millet bird seed right on the trail. Disappointed to see bird seed had been ingested
but it happens. Speaking to a local up there whom I know frequents the same trails, I learned there had been a larger pile of bird seed AND
a plastic container/bucket that had contained the bird seed and was damaged and opened. The thought is that this Large, Mature BEAR nabbed the
bucket of seed from someone's porch, deck, garage, etc. Took it to the woods for a picnic. HAPPY HAPPY JOY JOY
My intention is NOT TO BLAME OR SHAME ANYONE! Accidents happen and it is easy to forget at times.
Anything and everything that might be remotely edible/ingestible must be properly stored.
SO if you are missing a bucket of small bird seed! "Now you know, the Rest of the Story."
I would also remind you that most likely OUR BIG BEAR will return for seconds. Happens
every time, just like the Hummers. So keep alert. OUR BEARS have an uncanny ability
to show up at the most unexpected times.
Photos for your viewing pleasure
~ SOB john
PS: If you are new to town and not sure how to be BEAR AWARE and Protect your homes and cars AND SAVE OUR BEARS LIVES,
post here or contact me. Better safe than sorry ?!?
I received a photo of LARGE Bear prints in the fresh snow up above Blue Jay near the chimney from Saturday! (photo attached)
Interesting fun fact: I received a photo 1 year ago Saturday from Burt L of a Very Large Black Bear, in the same area. Same Bear
I am guessing.
If you are NEW to our mountains OR not sure how to Protect Your Property AND OUR BEARS, post here and one of our
SOB (Save Our Bears) Team will get in touch to brief you on how to CO-EXIST with OUR BEARS!
TRASH is the Number 1 problem AND solution to keeping your property (homes, cars etc) safe from damage.
Clean and Locked !
Homes and Automobiles.
Stash Your Trash Properly!
Take in Bird Feeders at Night! (or don't feed the birds)
Report sightings on the BB. (critical)
Bears learned to open car doors 30-40 years ago. I often hear of Bears that get into cars but find "NO REWARD". FYI: When the CAR DOOR OPENS, that IS their 1st reward!
Trust me, you don't want a Bear in your home or automobile!
TRASH is the most powerful attractant for OUR BEARS. It will lure them closer to your property and possible "mischief".
If you were smart, and purchased a Bear Proof Can, use it properly, wash it out now and then. AND, Thank You for helping us Save Our Bears!
If you have a Bear Proof trash can, make sure you latch it properly!!! Double check it or you might be feeding a Bear!
Black Sunflower Seed is like crack cocaine to a BEAR! NOT GOOD! And Bears are like Hummers, they remember where they got fed!!!
Reporting ALL BEAR encounters helps us manage and monitor OUR BEAR's activity. We are in touch with CPW when a problem Bear is at risk.
Report on the BB or contact me (I am in the JT Directory)
From 2014 - 2017 WE KILLED 4 BEARS in JIMTOWN. ONE each year. If you have ever observed a BEAR in a TRAP, crying from fear, dehydration, stress; you will never forget it!
I am happy to report that in 2022, we had the fewest BEAR ENCOUNTERS in JT than in any recent year prior. In 2021 i counted between 10-15 different BEARS in our neighborhood!
In 2022, I accounted for only 5 BEARS! THANK YOU JIMBILLIES for helping us SAVE OUR BEARS! PROGRESS! We CAN CO-Exist!
Black Bears are very passive animals, simply trying to survive in the wild. Let us respect all LIFE and "Live and Let Live"!
Please help us SAVE OUR BEARS JT, Bar-K, Peaceful Valley, Ward and everyone in between!
~ SOB john
PS: Everyone who sends me a picture of a LOCAL BEAR, MOUNTAIN LION or BOBCAT receives a "Save Our Bears ~ Jamestown" bumper sticker ! ! ! (while supply lasts)
Hey Steve and all-an oldie and a newer Bar-K Bear and Overland Bob Cat.
Bears are awake and looking for food; do your part to remain ‘bear aware’ in 2023
With spring upon us, Colorado Parks and Wildlife reminds citizens and visitors that bears have emerged from hibernation and are beginning their search for food.
CPW has already received 173 reports of bear activity in 25 Colorado counties this year. Wildlife officials are urging residents to secure any and all attractants. Bears should NOT be eating from trash receptacles, bird feeders or other human-provided food sources around homes or businesses.
“Every time a bear gets a treat, a bird feeder, a hummingbird feeder, or trash, it teaches the bear that people mean food,” said Matt Yamashita, CPW’s area wildlife manager for Area 8 covering Aspen, Glenwood Springs and Eagle and Pitkin counties “People who think that it’s one time, no big deal, are totally wrong. It is a big deal when you compound that ‘one time’ with how many ‘one timers’ they get from your neighbors, too. It adds up.”
The first bears to emerge from their winter dens are typically males (boars) followed by females (sows) that did not give birth to cubs over winter. The last bears to emerge from winter dens are the females who gave birth to this year’s cubs, usually in late April.
“Over the past several years, Area 8 in particular has seen a high number of bears inhabiting municipalities across both valleys and a subsequently high number of human-black bear conflicts," Yamashita said. "Even with a lack of natural food sources, bears continue to have large litter sizes of three to four cubs, indicating they are receiving supplemental food from humans.”
Early season natural food sources for bears include grasses, aspen buds and other vegetative matter that is beginning to sprout. Those gentle food sources, which are the first crops available to them, help a bear’s digestive system and metabolism adjust back to normal after not consuming anything for months.
“Their bodies are needing to adjust to the fact that they haven’t consumed anything for sometimes six months,” said Mark Vieira, Carnivore and Furbearer Program Manager for CPW. “So there is this phase that is referred to sometimes as walking hibernation, where they are out on the landscape moving slowly and eating what tends to be more vegetative material that starts to pass through their system to get their bodies ready for early summer food sources. That is when they will move back into the typical omnivore diet that we see bears eating the rest of the year.”
Over 90 percent of a bear’s natural diet is grasses, berries, fruits, nuts and plants - native crops all dependent on moisture. Wildlife officials monitor weather patterns in the spring and summer to help determine what natural forage will be available in the summer and fall.
In years where there is good moisture and natural food sources are abundant, human-bear conflicts and interactions are down.
Though most human-bear interactions occur in the late summer and fall months, a late frost or prolonged dry weather could lead to localized natural food failures and a rise in conflicts. A lack of natural food availability pushes black bears to be more persistent in their search for human-food sources. Being bear aware not only protects your home and property, but it can save a bear’s life.
Starting with proper bear aware practices in the spring may help prevent bears from discovering your home or neighborhood as a food source that it will return to throughout the year.
Become Bear Aware
Colorado Parks and Wildlife offers a reminder that by taking some simple precautions, you can avoid human/wildlife conflicts and help to keep bears wild.
Bear-proofing your home:
Keep garbage in a well-secured location. Only put out garbage on the morning of pickup.
Clean garbage cans regularly to keep them free of food odors: ammonia is effective.
Keep garage doors closed. Do not leave pet food or stock feed outside.
Use a bear-resistant trash can or dumpster.
Bird feeders are a major source of bear/human conflicts. Attract birds naturally with flowers and water baths. Do not hang bird feeders from April 15 to Nov. 15.
Don’t allow bears to become comfortable around your house. If you see one, haze it by yelling at it, throwing things at it and making loud noises to scare it off.
Secure compost piles. Bears are attracted to the scent of rotting food.
Clean the grill after each use, and clean up thoroughly after cookouts.
If you have fruit trees, don't allow the fruit to rot on the ground.
Talk to your neighbors and kids about being Bear Aware.
Cars, traveling and campsites:
Lock your doors when you’re away from home and at night.
Keep the bottom-floor windows of your house closed when you're not at home.
Do not keep food in your vehicle; roll up windows and lock the doors of your vehicles.
When car-camping, secure all food and coolers in a locked vehicle.
Keep a clean camp, whether you’re in a campground or in the backcountry.
When camping in the backcountry, hang food 100 feet or more from the campsite; don’t bring any food into your tent.
Cook food well away from your tent; wash dishes thoroughly.
Protecting your chickens, bees, livestock:
Keep chickens, bees and livestock in a fully covered enclosure, especially at night.
Construct electric fencing when possible.
Don’t store livestock feed outside.
Keep enclosures clean to minimize animal odors.
Hang rags soaked in ammonia and/or Pine-Sol around the enclosure as a scent deterrent.
Media resources
Colorado Parks and Wildlife is providing additional resources to assist with media coverage on being Bear Aware in Colorado this year so residents can work towards keeping our bears wild.
The link below contains:
Facts and figures folder with: 2022 bear incident reports breakdown, bear incident reports progression map, black bears at a glance fact sheet, sample bear incident reports and bear aware materials
Folders with photos and videos from bear encounters for use by media outlets
Thanks to some of the Cal-Wood Team for the "intel".
1) Med/large "Black" Bear spotted between Cal-Wood and Balarat
2) Mama & 2 Cubs spotted in the same area
CLEAN & LOCKED
HOMES & AUTOS
STASH YOUR TRASH (all of it) PROPERLY
TEND YOU BIRD FEEDERS (or don't feed the birds)
REPORT ALL SIGHTINGS Here or to Me direct (i'm in the JT directory)
Help us Save Our Bears JT, Calwood, Bar-K, Ward, Peaceful Valley! And everyone in between!
05-17-2023, 10:11 AM (This post was last modified: 05-17-2023, 10:12 AM by mlanghoff.)
Hi! Thank you for all this wonderful information! I am making a reply to reach out for more information. I'm new to Jimtown as of 11/2022. Are there any specific types of plants, flowers, etc that are not good for backyards, as it might attract critters? I'd like to have a small potted garden this year, probably flowers or maybe some local flora? Please send a message if you can
05-17-2023, 11:08 AM (This post was last modified: 05-17-2023, 11:15 AM by John Hardman.)
GARDENS
Most gardens are alright, however, bears will dig up and eat carrots and some flower bulbs. Black bears love tomatoes, squashes, melons, early vegetables, sweet corn, potatoes and other root vegetables and any other particularly aromatic plants and foods. Pick vegetables as they ripen. Distance your garden away from your house if possible and away from natural cover or obvious bear pathways. If you live in a rural setting consider the use of electric fencing to protect your garden. Be aware that blood meal, fish fertilizer and deer repellent attract bears.
COMPOST
When composting in bear country, think green! Anything other than grasses and leaves should not be composted during high-bear activity. Especially, do not discard meat, fish, oil, dairy, kitchen waste, melon rinds, fruits or other particularly odorous bear attractants during that time. Keep the pile aerated and turned and occasionally sprinkle with lime to reduce odor and hasten the composting process. Locate compost well away from forest cover and natural pathways used by bears. Rural residents can use electric fencing. Odor-free, indoor composting works well for small kitchen scraps. Garbage disposals reduce the amount of garbage and trash compactors reduce the volume of kitchen waste until it can be properly disposed.
It was nearly dark when this young cinnamon sauntered through the meadow and walked toward me. When I moved to snap a photo he stopped at ten feet away.
I had not seen this bear before and it seemed that it had never been bitten by the electric fence. My guess is that he will sometime soon. Anyway, once he spotted me, he skedaddled.
