Remember, bears Keep bears wild!

People have inadvertently created conflicts by

cant change their
building homes in bear habitat and providing them
behavior, only access to food. Continued contact with humans can
humans can! make bears lose their fear of people. The only real
solution is to remove or block access to l i v i n g w i t h
Protect yourself. . . protect the attractants.
a bear. Store garbage inside
until the day of collection. Resources
For more information on living with urban wildlife,
bears
see the Arizona Game and Fish Departments Living
with Wildlife Web pages at www.azgfd.gov/
urbanwildlife or call the Department at:
Flagstaff (928) 774-5045 Pinetop (928) 367-4281
How can I discourage bears? Kingman (928) 692-7730 Tucson (520) 628-5376
If you live in black bear country, take responsibility Mesa (480) 981-9400 Yuma (928) 342-0091
for not attracting them. Always work with your Phoenix (602) 942-3000
neighbors to achieve a consistent solution to the
problem situation, and keep in mind that doing a
combination of things is better than doing just one.
Follow these tips to discourage bears from entering
areas of human use:
Store garbage inside a secure building or in
bear-proof containers.
Place trash containers outside at the last possible
time on the day of pickup.
Hang bird feeders at least 10 feet above ground
and away from buildings, including porches, and
use a tray to catch spills. Discontinue feeding if
a bear is in the area.
Do not feed wildlife.
Arizona Game and Fish Department
Feed pets inside or remove uneaten pet food
between feedings. 5000 W. Carefree Highway
Phoenix, AZ 85086-5000
Clean barbecues and store in a secure area. (602) 942-3000
Do not leave food inside vehicles, and remove
food smells with a neutralizing spray. The Arizona Game and Fish Department prohibits discrimination on the
basis of race, color, sex, national origin, age, or disability in its programs
and activities. If anyone believes that they have been discriminated against
Plant fruit trees away from residences and in any of the AGFDs programs or activities, including employment practices,
remove any fallen fruit. they may file a complaint with the Deputy Director, 5000 W. Carefree
Highway, Phoenix, AZ 85086, (602) 942-3000, or with the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service, 4040 N. Fairfax Drive, Ste. 130, Arlington, VA 22203. Persons
with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation or this document in
A fed bear is a dead bear an alternative format by contacting the Deputy Director as listed above.
April 2008
 Protect yourself. . . protect A bear. Store garbage inside until the day of collection.

Bears are a part of life in Arizona. What attracts bears? What should I do if I see a bear or
The black bear is the only bear Bears may visit areas of human use because they find one is in my neighborhood?
species found in the state. Although food. Bears are particularly attracted to household garbage First, never approach a

copyright joe and marisa Cerreta

fur color varies and includes brown, continuously stored outside. Birdseed, pet food and fruit trees wild bear. Black bears
cinnamon and blond, they are all are also attractants. Drought, wildfire and development can usually avoid people, but
considered black bears. It is the cause bears to roam farther in search of new food sources. if they start to associate
smallest and most widely distributed people with food they
North American bear. What keeps bears away? may become aggressive.
Bears and humans are sharing more Since garbage stored outside is the biggest If a bear is in your yard
of the same habitats as development attractant, storing garbage in a secure or neighborhood, immediately contact the Game and
occurs throughout Arizona. Bears in garage or shed until the morning of Fish office in your area. Depending on what the bear is
search of food are often attracted to homes and into close collection will virtually eliminate the doing, department personnel may respond if it remains
proximity with people. This close contact puts both humans chances of a bear visit. If a bear does in the area. Deter the bear by making loud noises, such
and bears at risk. Most conflicts are the result of people not find a food source, it will move on. as yelling, whistling or banging pans.
unintentionally feeding bears, most often by allowing them Fences, lighting and dogs have not been found If you see a bear in the distance, alter your route to
access to household garbage or bird feeders. to be effective, long-term deterrents. Bears are good climbers, avoid it. On the rare occasion that a bear approaches
Even though bears have a cute and cuddly image, they can so to reduce a bears ability to get over a fence, it should be at you, discourage it by:
be dangerous. Fed bears can lose their fear of humans and least 6 feet tall and constructed of non-climbable material.
Making yourself as large and imposing as possible.
begin to associate humans with food, sometimes causing Stand upright and wave your arms, jacket or other
property damage and even injuring people. Conflicts Why not move the bears? items, and make loud noises.
between humans and bears are preventable. Recognizing the potential
risk to both humans and Do not run and never play dead.
bears, the Arizona Game Give the bear a chance to leave the area.
and Fish Department
Bear traits and behaviors spends considerable If the bear does not leave, stay calm, continue
time and money each facing it, and slowly back away.
Weighs 125-400 pounds with males being
larger than females year relocating bears.
Unfortunately, this effort Know the law

copyright joe and marisa Cerreta

3 to 3 feet tall when on all four feet does little for the bears or It is your responsibility to know the law. Bears are
homeowners. Some bears classified as big game animals in Arizona and are
Eats primarily acorns, berries, insects and
must be destroyed because protected by state law. They can only be captured
cactus fruits
they are considered too or killed by the Arizona Game
Lives in most forest, woodland and chaparral dangerous, have lost their and Fish Department, legally
habitats, and desert riparian areas permitted hunters, or in
fear of humans, or continue
Roams an area of 7 to 15 square miles to get into conflicts with defense of yourself or
people. Following removal another person.
Produces two to three cubs born in
January or February or relocation, the homeowner might experience more problems It is unlawful to feed
from a different bear if the original attractant is not eliminated. wildlife, including bears,
Lives up to 25 years in the wild Relocating a bear is also traumatic for the animal and does in many counties per
Most active at dawn and dusk (crepuscular) not guarantee it will live. Some are killed by bigger, older bears Arizona Revised Statute 13-2927.
that already live in the relocation area. Violations can result in a fine of up
to $300.