As the weather warms, New Mexicans are going back outside — and bears are becoming more active.
Source: N.M. Department of Wildlife, National Park Service
Photos: Courtesy
As New Mexicans head into Memorial Day weekend and warmer weather pulls more people into forests, mountains and campgrounds, state and federal officials are reminding the public that humans are not the only ones becoming more active this time of year.
“When you reappear in people’s lives after inexplicably disappearing for several months…”
That was the humorous caption accompanying a recent National Park Service bear safety post showing a bear peering through a window — but behind the joke is a serious seasonal reminder: spring and early summer are periods of increased bear activity across many parts of the West.
The New Mexico Department of Wildlife is also urging residents and visitors to remain “bear aware” while hiking, camping and recreating outdoors this season.
“It is not normal for bears to be habituated to human presence and dependent on human-provided food sources,” said Nick Forman, the department’s carnivore and small mammal program manager. “Bears should have a natural fear of humans, and in the wild will typically flee or hide when they’re aware of human presence. Bears that are habituated to human presence, or human food, may become aggressive or defensive to protect their food source, or if they are startled by a human in close quarters.”
Officials emphasized that bears are typically afraid of humans and will generally avoid people unless provoked or conditioned to seek out human food sources.
According to both agencies, many dangerous encounters can be avoided by maintaining clean campsites, properly storing food and garbage and remaining alert while hiking or camping.
The Department of Wildlife advises campers to avoid leaving food or trash unattended and to keep coolers secured inside vehicles, trailers or campers. Hikers are also encouraged to “pack it in, pack it out” and avoid leaving trash behind on trails.
Because bears are highly sensitive to smells, officials say items such as toothpaste, soap, cook fires and even clothing worn while cooking can attract bears.
Visitors are also encouraged to make noise while hiking, especially in areas with low visibility where a surprised bear may react defensively.
The Department additionally recommends:
- Hiking in groups whenever possible
- Keeping children and pets nearby
- Never feeding or approaching bears
- Cleaning outdoor grills thoroughly after use
- Securing garbage and recycling containers
- Removing fallen fruit from yards and orchards
If a person encounters a bear, officials advise against running away. Instead, they recommend making yourself appear large, using your voice, waving your arms and slowly backing away. People are also warned never to come between a mother bear and her cubs.
The National Park Service also reminded visitors that bear safety guidance can vary depending on the location, species and terrain involved.
“Visitors should check current park alerts before their trip and follow park-specific bear safety guidance,” the agency stated. “Bear species, terrain, food storage rules and bear spray recommendations can vary across parks.”
For homeowners in bear-prone areas, the Department of Wildlife says one of the most important steps is securing garbage containers inside garages or enclosed spaces, as unsecured trash remains one of the leading causes of human-bear conflicts.
Officials also encouraged residents to communicate recent bear activity with neighbors and nearby communities to help reduce avoidable encounters.
Additional bear safety information is available through the New Mexico Department of Wildlife and the National Park Service.
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