Bear complaints have risen sharply in the last ten years, due in part to the increase in people living in bear habitat.

NDOW recognizes that bears rummaging through garbage cans or foraging on fruit trees may constitute a nuisance, and frighten residents. But, first, it is the residents’ responsibility to remove or make the attractant inaccessible before further steps are taken by NDOW.

As many homeowners have found out, bears are opportunistic and will eat anything that becomes available, including garbage. Why? Drought conditions or other climatic occurrences may limit the quantity and quality of natural food sources, leading bears to seek other food sources, like human garbage. The black bear's amazing sense of smell allows them to find food that humans consider out of reach.

Things such as garbage, compost piles, bird feeders, fish ponds, pet food, camp food, fruit trees, barbeque grills or bee hives may attract bears. These are by far the most common reasons for bear/ human conflicts. By removing these attractants, bear and humans are less likely to have unpleasant encounters.

When people are irresponsible with their food and garbage, bears can wind up in trouble. Bears naturally fear humans, but if they have access to human food sources they may become addicted, lose their natural fear of humans, and even become aggressive.

Living in bear country requires that residents take extra precautions and BE BEAR AWARE.

NDOW now has a BEAR Hotline wired directly into NDOW’s Dispatch Center in Reno. Normal business hours are 6 a.m. until 11 p.m. The hotline is for those who have bear problems. If you have simply sighted bears, or have had garbage cans tipped by bears please refer to the “Keep Me Wild” section of this website to learn about how to reduce bear problems by removing attractants, such as garbage, pet food and bird feeders.

More and more habitat is being shared by humans and black bears. Often times, by following the simple steps below, you may be able to avoid unpleasant bear conflicts.

• Never approach or feed a bear, or any other wild animal for that matter.
  
  
• Use removable bird feeders for temporary placement.
  
  
• Keep pet food cleaned up, or indoors.
  
  
• Keep a close watch on children while they are outdoors, and teach them what to do if they encounter a bear.
  
  
• Use bear-proof garbage containers available through commercial dealers. Dumpsters with lockable metal lids work well, as do fencing enclosures made of chain link fencing or 2 x 4 framing.
  
  
• Spray or pour ammonia in and around garbage cans, and avoid placing aromatic food wastes, such as bacon grease or spoiled foods, in garbage cans.
  
  
• Wait until the morning of pick-up before placing garbage out.
  
  
• Feed pets indoors.
  
  
• Clean barbeque grills after use.
  
  
• Use electrical fencing combined with a tall, metal or wooden fence to protect orchards, fish ponds, beehives, compost piles, and livestock.
  
  
• Constant harassment with scare devices, loud noises or dogs will
  sometimes work.
  
  
• Don't Feed Wildlife. The feeding of any wildlife, including birds, may inadvertently attract bear

Viewing wildlife in the great outdoors is a wonderful experience, however, you should follow the steps below to help ensure a safe experience in bear habitat.

• Make plenty of noise to avoid a surprise encounter while hiking in bear habitat.
  
  
• Carry bear pepper spray and know how to use it.
  
  
• Keep a close watch on children while they are outdoors, and teach them what to do if they encounter a bear.
  
  
• KEEP A CLEAN CAMP!
  
  
• Use bear-proof food containers when camping
  
  
• Cook away from camp
  
  
• Never store food in your tent, even if you are camping in your back yard.
  
  
• Clean out fire pits after use.
  
  
• Use removable bird feeders for temporary placement.
  
  
• Keep pet food cleaned up, or indoors.
  
  
• Keep a close watch on children while they are outdoors, and teach them what to do if they encounter a bear.
  
  
• Use bear-proof garbage containers available through commercial dealers. Dumpsters with lockable metal lids work well, as do fencing enclosures made of chain link fencing or 2 x 4 framing.
  
  
• Spray or pour ammonia in and around garbage cans, and avoid placing aromatic food wastes, such as bacon grease or spoiled foods, in garbage cans.
  
  
• Wait until the morning of pick-up before placing garbage out.
  
  
• Feed pets indoors.
  
  
• Clean barbeque grills after use.
  
  
• Use electrical fencing combined with a tall, metal or wooden fence to protect orchards, fish ponds, beehives, compost piles, and livestock.
  
  
• Constant harassment with scare devices, loud noises or dogs will
  sometimes work.
  

Although black bears rarely attack, they are very powerful animals and are capable of injuring or killing humans. No fatal bear attacks have been reported in Nevada. The steps below may be helpful if you encounter a bear

• Give a bear plenty of room to pass, and it usually will.
  
  
• If a bear approaches you - Don’t run!
  You should back away slowly, facing the bear and keeping it in sight. Don't look directly into a bear's eyes.
  
  
• Make yourself look bigger by waving your arms and yelling.
  
  
• Make noise and show the bear it is unwelcome.
  
  
• Pick up children or put them on your shoulders.
  
  
• Remember, you can’t outrun a black bear! They are extremely fast running uphill, downhill, up a tree, or any other direction they decide to go.
  
  
• Warning signs of an attack include:
  a steady glare; ears laid back; smacking of the jaws and stomping of the front feet.
  
  
• If the bear attacks, fight back with anything available. Throwing rocks or hitting a bear with large sticks has been effective in some cases.
  
  
• Carry bear pepper spray and know how to use it.

Important Links
Black Bear Facts	Stryker's Tales from the Black Bear Trails
Black Bear Research

• It is the residents’ responsibility to remove or make attractants inaccessible before further steps can be taken by NDOW.
  
  
• First, be sure that you have taken all steps to remove food sources for bears. Stash your food and trash. Check the simple bear aware rules list above.
  
  

• This female bear was released and from a trap, after being identified and making sure she was healthy. During the release, a trained bear dog chased the bear and biologists used non-lethal rubber bullets to scare her out of the area.

  After the attractant is removed, “Bear Education” may be used by NDOW to create an unfriendly environment for a bear, so it does not return to the same location. This "education" is done through use of traps and aversion conditioning sometimes work if the original attractant has been removed. This technique uses non-lethal deterrents, such as rubber bullets and pepper spray, to “educate the bear” before releasing it in the area it was captured.
  
  View the Reno Gazette Journal article "Relocated ‘problem’ bears likely to return, study finds"
  
  
• Persistent or extremely bold bears that cause a potential public safety hazard may have to be euthanized.
  
  
• You can play a part in keeping Nevada's bears out of harm's way. Be responsible with your food and trash in bear country, and tell your friend and neighbors to to the same.