The Big Bear area, nestled within the San Bernardino Mountains of Southern California, is a unique interface where human communities share territory with native wildlife. This environment is home to many species, including bears, making awareness and preparedness paramount for both residents and visitors. Understanding the local bear population and adopting informed safety practices are necessary steps for successful coexistence. This awareness ensures that human activity minimizes stress on the ecosystem and protects the bears that inhabit the mountain landscape. Informed behavior is the foundation of safety in Big Bear’s wildland-urban interface.
Understanding the Black Bear Population in Big Bear
The species that resides in the San Bernardino Mountains is the California Black Bear (Ursus americanus). While the name suggests a single color, these bears often exhibit coats that range from black to cinnamon brown and even blonde, making color an unreliable identifier. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) estimates the statewide black bear population to be between 49,000 and 71,000 individuals, a robust and stable number. Obtaining an exact count for the Big Bear region is nearly impossible because the bears are transient and occupy a large, fragmented range. However, the presence of these animals is concentrated in areas like Big Bear due to the availability of natural forage and human-provided attractants.
Essential Steps to Prevent Bear Encounters
Preventing an encounter focuses on eliminating the scent cues that draw bears into developed areas. A bear’s highly developed sense of smell allows them to detect food from miles away, meaning any scented item can act as an attractant. Residents must use bear-resistant garbage containers designed to withstand a bear’s strength and ingenuity. Trash should only be placed outside immediately before collection time, never the night before. Strong-smelling items like meat scraps should be frozen until trash day to minimize odor.
Securing residential properties also involves eliminating non-garbage food sources that might lure a bear closer to homes. All pet food must be fed indoors, and any uneaten portions must be immediately removed. Barbecue grills must be thoroughly cleaned after every use, burning off all residual grease and food particles, and then stored inside a garage or secured shed. Additionally, homeowners should promptly pick all ripe fruit from trees and collect any fallen fruit from the ground, as decaying fruit is a powerful attractant.
Visitors recreating in the backcountry must adhere to strict protocols regarding food storage. All food, trash, and scented toiletries, including toothpaste, deodorant, and sunscreen, must be stored in an Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee (IGBC) certified bear canister. These canisters should be placed on flat, level ground at least 100 yards away from the sleeping area, ensuring they are not near a cliff or water source where a bear could roll them away. Campers must avoid cooking or eating near their tents and should change out of the clothes they cooked in before sleeping, storing those clothes with other scented items.
Home safety also requires proactive measures to block easy access points into dwellings. Black bears have learned that homes often contain easily accessible food and are capable of opening doors and windows. Ground-floor windows and doors, particularly those leading into kitchens or pantries, should be kept closed and securely locked, even when residents are home. This simple action prevents a curious bear from becoming habituated to human food, which often leads to the bear being relocated or euthanized.
Safety Protocol During a Bear Sighting
An encounter with a black bear requires a measured, non-aggressive response, as most bears prefer to avoid human contact. If a bear is seen at a distance, quietly alter your route to move away from its area without drawing attention. If a bear approaches or is encountered at close range, remain calm and never run, as running can trigger a predatory chase response. Instead, slowly back away while facing the bear, speaking softly in a calm voice to identify yourself as human. If you have small children or pets, pick them up immediately and keep them close to you.
If the bear continues to approach, escalate your deterrence by making yourself appear larger, such as by waving your arms above your head, and making loud noise like shouting or clapping. It is helpful to distinguish between a defensive and a predatory encounter, although black bears are rarely predatory. A defensive bear, often surprised or protecting cubs or food, will display warning signs like huffing, jaw-popping, or a bluff charge that stops short of contact. Conversely, a predatory bear will approach quietly, with intense focus and ears forward, often circling or stalking you.
Bear spray, a highly effective deterrent, should be carried in an easily accessible holster, such as on the chest or hip. Deploy the spray only if the bear is within 30 to 60 feet and continues to approach. The goal is to aim slightly downward to create a cloud of spray that the bear must pass through. If a black bear makes physical contact during any encounter, you must fight back with all available means, focusing kicks and punches toward the bear’s face and using any objects like rocks or sticks.