Genoa resident Roger Falcke spotted bear footprints at the Genoa Volunteer Fire Department on Friday. Bears can and do come down into Carson Valley.
With more than 100 square miles of habitat destroyed in the Tamarack Fire and more than that burning just over the Sierra crest, bears and other wild creatures may take refuge in neighborhoods across the Sierra Front.
“Food on barbecues and picnic tables brings curious bears into neighborhoods and campgrounds to investigate, making it very important to remember proper food storage at all times,” Nevada Department of Wildlife’s Ashley Sanchez said. “Any attractant left out is accessible to a bear and could result in a food reward, which brings the bear back for future visits and makes that bear think it is OK to approach humans for food.”
Sanchez warned residents against leaving food unattended.
“If a bear approaches, yell at the bear to try to get it to leave before it is rewarded,” she said. “If you are unable to make the bear leave, there are resources who can respond and help. On U.S. Forest Service property, an employee of the campground may be able to assist you in moving the bear along and securing attractants. Likewise on state park property, park rangers can assist. If you are in a residential area, call 911 for a trained sheriff to come and move the bear away from the property.”
Sanchez said it is neither natural nor healthy for bears to forage on human food or garbage. This can cause injury to claws, teeth, and digestive systems.
“Whether intentional or not, it is illegal to feed bears, so do your part to follow the law and not provide access to human food or garbage,” she said.
Leaving doors and windows open to let fresh air in, also lets food smells out.
“Black bears know what food may be just inside the screen on your window or door,” she said. “It is very important to make sure you close all windows when you are either away from a house or asleep at night. Bears know when humans are active or present and will take advantage of those quiet times to enter through a window or door to access a kitchen for easy food.”
