LA PLATA COUNTY, Colorado – Bears are a lot smarter than you might think, and their ability to get into garbage is pretty impressive. But, as the saying goes, a fed bear is a dead bear. Rocky Mountain PBS had a nice chat with La Plata County bear resource officer Clarence Dotson, explaining why making sure bears stay out of trash is so important, and how you can do your part.
Bearproofing Your Trash:
According to Colorado Parks and Wildlife, bear-proofing your trash involves locking it up, using bear-resistant enclosures, freezing smelly things until trash pickup day, keeping things clean, and, of course, using a bear-resistant container.
“Allowing bears to use trash and garbage as a food source creates serious problems for both people and bears. Because the food reward is so great, bears are willing to work hard to get at trash and garbage, and return often in hopes of finding more. These food-conditioned bears sometimes enter homes, garages or even vehicles in search of an easy meal. Bears in pursuit of such a good source of calories can do a lot of property damage, and even become aggressive. Allowing bears to get into the garbage is one of the leading causes of human-bear conflicts. Being smart about how you handle and store your trash can protect your home and property, and help keep bears alive and wild.”