Bears In The News

[AZLOT69]

Eight Foraging Bears Killed In Tahoe


Posted: 9:44 am PDT June 11, 2010
Updated: 10:02 am PDT June 11, 2010

INCLINE VILLAGE, Nev. -- The heavy snow and lingering winter conditions in the Sierra are forcing black bears into the valleys around Lake Tahoe, where an unusually large number of them have had to be put to death in recent weeks.

Nevada Department of Wildlife biologist Carl Lackey says officials already killed eight bears this spring, compared with a typical death toll of just one or two by this time.

"I attribute that to the late winter weather conditions," he said.

Unlocked food or trash lures the bears into trouble in cars and homes. Adding to the problem, Lackey said, is Washoe County has no ordinance requiring bear-proof trash receptacles.

Hot spots are centered near South Lake Tahoe, Tahoma and Highway 89 near the Squaw Valley and Alpine ski resorts.

Cristen Langner, a wildlife biologist for California Fish and Game, said the California side of the Tahoe basin has had three permitted bear deaths this year, which is not uncommon for this time. Each of the deaths was also a result of residents not locking up food trash or food, she said.

Langner echoed Lackey's words of caution and said residents should always be bear-aware and keep doors locked and food secure.

"The big thing is that every time these bears are successful (finding stored trash or food) it just reinforces that behavior," she said.

Ann Bryant, president of the Homewood-based BEAR League, said she's concerned about the death toll.

"I'm pretty shocked because it's only going to get worse as the season goes on," she said.

Bryant said based on calls, sightings and onsite observations, the BEAR League has observed more newborns this year than any other, as well as an increased number of sightings and conflicts.

Usually bears aren't spotted out of hibernation until May or June, Bryant said, but she's seen them as early as March and April this year.

[Pivo]

@Jim
Durango has a bear problem this summer, due to lack of rain.

[xsproutx]

https://www.whiskeyriff.com/2025/09/02/ ... onal-park/

Fun video. Gotta get that meal!

[chumley]

Fun video

I appreciate the person posting who comments about remembering bear spray. What exactly do they think a person with bear spray is gonna do in that video?

[Alston_Neal]

@xsproutx
I read that happens eveyday at the same time, except holidays and Sunday.
Pretty cool and proof we can't outrun them.

[xsproutx]

@chumley
Probably spray all their friends in the face. It's called making memories, chums.

[Jim]

Did the video work for everyone? It wouldn't I guess I block ads or something.

@Pivo Kinda sucks, but at least we get to see them cuddle fellas. It's all cuddles and licks, for sure.

[SpiderLegs]

The Forest Service had Old Baldy and Super Trail closed today for "bear mitigation". Guess our guy in the Santa Rita's is getting mitigated once they find him.

[Pivo]

bear mitigation

Is code for termination. The USFS and the Arizona Game and Fish Department are not risking another possible bear attack in the region after the Anna Knochel attack in 1996 in the Santa Catalina Mountains.

[azbackpackr]

@Pivo

Anna Knochel attack in 1996

My daughter was there! 4H club had rented Camp Lawton. She didn't actually see it happen, but heard all the screaming and gun shots.

There was an adult at the camp who'd brought a handgun, left it in his car. He ran up to the parking lot, which is not close by, got the gun and shot the bear, after efforts to get the bear off of Anna had failed. People were kicking and hitting the bear but it wouldn't stop. Her injuries were terrible. Later that morning I had a call from my daughter to come pick her up at the Sheriff's station by Tanque Verde and Catalina Hwy.

However, Anna recovered. Anna Knochel is now a popular veterinarian in Portland, Oregon. https://nwneighborhoodvet.com/dvm/dr-anna-knochel/

As for my daughter, she wasn't badly traumatized. We took her camping the following weekend.

[TooOld2Hike_EP]

Bear runs into Oro Valley grocery store
https://www.kold.com/2025/09/29/bear-ru ... ery-store/

[SpiderLegs]

@TooOld2Hike_EP - That's my neighborhood store.

[xsproutx]

@SpiderLegs
....are you a small bear, by chance?

[SpiderLegs]

@xsproutx - I'm not that furry.

That Fry's is also next door to the Target store that went viral last year for having the stellar mountain views when you walk out to the parking lot.