Posted on 05/01/2015 7:28:48 AM PDT by SandRat
SIERRA VISTA — A week after an aggressive bear resulted in the closure of Huachuca Canyon on Fort Huachuca, the popular recreation area has reopened after the animal was put down by authorities.
Last Thursday, April 23, a brown bear followed and charged hikers in the canyon and later approached cyclists.
Initially, fort officials opted to close the canyon to vehicles, hikers and other visitors in the hope that the bear would move on, as other problem bears have done in the past.
However, the ongoing aggressive nature and lack of fear of humans necessitated the bear be put down humanely, with assistance from the Arizona Game and Fish Department, said Tanja Linton, public affairs officer for the post.
The canyon last had to be closed for similar reasons in 2013, and while the canyon has been reopened, people should remain cautious.
“Fort recreational users should remain alert to the possibility of bear activity in the canyon. If you see a bear, remain calm. Keep your distance from the bear and move slowly and deliberately away from it. Let the bear know you’re there by making noise. Keep children and pets close to you,” Linton said.
While an bear sighting early in the year elsewhere in Sierra Vista gave Game and Fish officials concern about increased bear activity this spring, based on the lack of reported bear contacts from residents since, those concerns were never elevated, said Mark Hart, public information officer for the state wildlife agency.
The bear that was spotted in February on Palmer Drive within the city was apparently lured by trash cans.
Garbage cans left out overnight or unsecured are a strong attractant for hungry bears. Hart said residents should lock up trash cans in a garage or other secured, indoor location until the morning of pickup.
Other attractants, like bird seed, hummingbird feeders, pet food and fruit fallen from trees should also be removed if attracting bears is a concern.
A gun works well against bears.
Why it is always a good idea to carry a firearm while hiking and camping.
Gotta be a large enough caliber or you’ll only make them mad.
I carry RANDLE K - N - I - F - E and a QUARTER STAFF.
Modifying the punchline to the famous bear joke:
It is also a good idea to keep an eye out for fresh bear scat so you have an idea if bears are in the area. People should be able to recognize the difference between black bear and grizzly bear scat.Black bear droppings are smaller and often contain berries, leaves, and possibly bits of fur. Grizzly bear droppings tend to contain 9mm and .38 pistols and ammo.
LOL!!!!!
That has gotta be one big knife. What magical abilities does the staff have?
#BearLivesMatter
12-9” Sportsman Bowie w/ Model 14 Grind
Hand Made
This is why you don’t feed the bears they become a destructive nuisance or worse; left alone they will survive well on their own, a lesson Baltimore and the entire country has failed to learn.
Nice!
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