Not really, this is sort of an odd issue with bears. One like this, that is known, rarely moves on to attack (I am specifically refering to a predatory attack, not defending goodies attack). Absolute property damaging turd head, absolutely. And that behavior tends to escalate. Most actual attacks take place with bears with little to no history. It is usually a bear that includes the area in its homerange, but rarely visits unless something gets its attention (male comes looking for a female during breeding season). Most bears that end up injuring someone have been noted in one way or another typically less than 3 times prior to the incident.

To address the "in their backyard issue". Black bears are adapting quickly to being in or adjacent to relatively urban areas. Heck, the fastest growing population is in New Jersey of all places. After initial development, yep they disappear for a while. But then they start adapting behaviorally, and suddenly they have a preference for the suburbs. Food and water are rarely an issue in urban areas. One major adaptation is the concept around "behavioral habitat access". Simply put, most of the year the sexually mature bears (4+) don't like to be around humans. Sows with cubs spend a big chunk of time trying to keep their cubs from being killed by boars just before breeding season (Julyish). Males 2-4 years old almost sole purpose in life is to not get there a---- kick by the mature boars. Ergo, hang out near the humans. Granted, once the breeding season kicks in, all bets are off. A 3-4 year old male isn't quite ready to move off humans get, but could have some impressive size to them (especially at 4), and has the size to royally mess stuff up.

cupofjoe04 said:

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yeah, and a pocket full of candy. They won't have any problem finding you back in Martinez Canyon!

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In-laws bought the lot in about 1980 because the back of their lot was Martinez Canyon. Was one of the first few houses out that way. Lot fewer houses and a lot less timber back then. Was nothing man made behind them for decades, but someone, just in the past year, started building on the ridge between them and the canyon.

The Google Maps link below shows where I took the photo of the bear in the trash. The trash pile was in the middle of the photo, right where Stevens Circle makes a 90 from west to north. I think the trash belonged to the house to the south, not the house with purple roof to the west. Basically, they put their trash out the day before trash pickup, which is a big no-no.


Bear photo spot

Go directly north from there, where Martinez splits with Dutton Canyon. We are in the neighborhood that is between those 2 canyons. Not very far at all. There is a really good national forest access to a nice mountain bike trail pretty close to Stevens Circle that I have used before.

I knew I was missing out on this thread

cupofjoe04 said:

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Go directly north from there, where Martinez splits with Dutton Canyon. We are in the neighborhood that is between those 2 canyons. Not very far at all. There is a really good national forest access to a nice mountain bike trail pretty close to Stevens Circle that I have used before.

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Looks like a cool neighborhood. Haven't been to that part of town, though I have flown into the airprt a time or two...years ago.

Definitely was something I had to learn about when we moved here. Have always had USAA insurance, and they won't even insure a house here! Had to get a StateFarm rep to come inspect our home for fire mitigation before they would issue a policy. So, the learning curve was quick!

We don't have any large trees on our property near the house, and have cut the ladder fuel on every tree we do have. Same with our neighbors, helped them do a ton of clearing last summer. The home next to ours is a double lot (with the empty lot between our homes) and they are part time residents. That lot hasn't been kept and has lots of dead stuff on the ground. I am really hoping to talk to the owner about it next time I see him in town. I'm willing to lend a hand clearing all the dead branches and downfall. There is a greenbelt behind our house, and most of the neighbors try and keep that pretty clear as well. Anything else we should be doing???

Honestly, sounds like y'all are making a good start. It may look different now, but the Google image from June 2016 concerned me quite a bit. The houses on the west side that are real close to the drop off get my attention. There are several that are sitting right on top of what could effectively be a box canyon. If a fire starts a run from the south or west, they are screwed. That point on the south end of the subdivision bugs me. It has one point of ingress and egress, and sits right at a narrow point between the canyons.

Just make sure your family has discussed a fire evacuation plan ahead of time. If you are in remotely droughtlike conditions, and officials start hinting at an evacuation, just go. From a fire standpoint that neighborhood could be BAD.

There are some sub-divisions around Canyon Lake that will give anyone who has scene a cedar break burn, nightmares.

Not sure how it ever got approved.

If it's just grass, a home sprinkler system can be rather effective at stopping it.

I have a condo off of Davis Cup, behind the City Market in Pagosa. 4 years ago they finally set posts and put chains across the front of the dumpsters in the complex. Until, then the bears would push the dumpsters across the parking lot trying to tip them over almost nightly to feed. After that, we don't see any bears around the condo.

Might not want to mention the wolverine. They are considered extripated in Colorado. They went from 1919 to 2009 between confirmations.

Looks like some awesome lion country.

That makes sense

Wizard said:

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Also, OP, does it REALLY matter that the bear is black?Just don't become the next George Zimmerman.

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Someone that's a Wizard giving this advice.

Fairview said:

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ursusguy said:

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Might not want to mention the wolverine. They are considered extripated in Colorado. They went from 1919 to 2009 between confirmations.

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Crap. I meant badger. I'm an idiot.

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We have gophers from time to time. During one outbreak a badger found them. It looked like someone rototilled part of my yard. And then the bastage dug a den to spend the night. Luckily, he left of his own accord. They can dig that is for sure.

We were at Lake Tahoe a couple of weeks ago. The trash bin has a square L shaped key to lock. We forgot to remove the key one night after locking it and a bear was able to unlock and drag the trash out. Woke up to it going to town on the peanut butter container, watched it from the deck, nice looking bear. Took a few pics but don't have a way to upload. Drove around after it left and saw what ended up being a second bear - thought it was the same at first. Apparently its a pretty regular occurrence in that neighborhood, especially since us foreigners can't properly operate the trash bins

This thread is great! Hopefully you'll be able to get the bear situation resolved quickly.. I know plenty of folks on here who wouldn't be scared if you told us where you took that pic of the aoudad.. So, where did you take it?? Looks like a pretty damn close and unplanned encounter!

My Dad and step-inlaws all have condos up in Pagosa Springs...great little town. I haven't seen any bears up there yet, but I know they frequently visit their condos trying to get into the dumpsters