PMC's Bear Crisis

• You mentioned that PMC is a black bear “hot spot”. Why would you say that is? How have we gotten here and how long have we been a hotspot?

 

I have filled the role of CDFW Human-Wildlife Conflict specialist for about two years and cover three counties: Kern, Tulare, and Kings. Of these counties, Kern has the most black bear incidents. “Incidents” refers to any reports of animal welfare, general nuisance, human safety concerns, or property damage (also known as depredation). We currently keep records of reported incidents and PMC makes up a large proportion of those in Kern. In the past, we did not keep such records, so the historical trends are difficult to comment on. 

 

Wild black bears have a natural aversion to people. However, this fear can subside after repeated human contact reinforced by food provision. Both the intentional and unintentional feeding of bears has drawn them into the PMC community. These habituated bears are then producing offspring which reflect the behaviors of the prior generation. 

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• Do we know the success rate of relocating a problem bear? You touched on this, but I was hoping you’d remind us of what that is.

 

Multiple scientific articles have highlighted the determents of relocating depredation black bears. One recent example out of California suggested that in the Klamath Mountains, relocated black bears demonstrated an 80% return rate to their home range and 55% did not survive beyond five months (Schaefer et. al 2021). There are many factors that can contribute to the generally high mortality rate of relocated wildlife. Trapping, immobilization, and handling wildlife is very stressful for the animals. They are then dropped off in an unfamiliar habitat, potentially near a territorial conspecific. Relocated animals often start roaming to collect their bearings and eventually move toward their original home range. This long migration can result in vehicle collisions as they cross roadways, or negative interactions with people. Relocating habituated bears will not cause them to unlearn their food-conditioned behavior. These bears will often continue the behavior that got them removed, to begin with, this time in a community that did not contribute to the problem. Bears can travel hundreds of miles and there is no wilderness remote enough to prevent habituated bears from finding a familiar food source. Lastly, moving wildlife also moves any diseases the animal is carrying. The California Fish and Game Code prohibits the relocation of wildlife. The reasons for this code are sound and are not alleviated simply because a wildlife biologist is involved.

 

• What are the criteria required before a problem bear is either relocated or euthanized? 

 

CDFW policy dictates that staff may humanely euthanize black bears only when they are mortally injured/ill, or they are a significant public safety concern (usually following rare instances of human injuries). California Fish and Game Code 4181 authorizes CDFW to issue depredation permits to landowners following instances of property damage resulting from black bear activity. The implementation of this process is described in the following link: Bear Policy in California. This policy also describes the requirements for the relocation of black bears. The primary factors that inhibit the relocation of black bears from PMC are related to release site considerations. It would be unfair to PMC residents to drop off a known depredation bear from a different community in the area. Similarly, we do not want to relocate PMC bears near other communities.

 

• How many bears do we now have in Pine Mountain Club and how many are being tracked? 

 

The number of black bears in PMC is currently unknown. Some individuals are being tracked using ear tag observations and GPS collar data. Unfortunately, these factors cannot provide a population estimate. Visual counts of bears are often unreliable as differentiation of individuals based on morphology is difficult. Additionally, some bears regularly observed within the PMC community will spend days at a time in the forest.

The statewide estimate is currently between 30,000 and 40,000 bears, though it is widely believed that this is a significant underestimate. Bear population studies are being developed across California to contribute to a better statewide estimate and should result in more accurate local numbers as well. These studies take years to develop, implement, and analyze.

 

•  I've been told that the number of bear break-ins we've been having has increased year after year. Do we know that break-ins were being accurately reported to you guys over the last several years? 

 

Not all black bear depredation incidents in PMC are reported to CDFW and the difference in reported numbers and total incidents is unknown. CDFW can only record and respond to reports sent directly to the department by primary sources and landowners directly impacted by wildlife activity. Incidents that are reported to PMC Patrol, Los Padres Bear Aware, and social media, will not receive a follow-up from CDFW staff. The best route to make a report is through CDFW’s online Wildlife Incident Reporting System (WIR). The WIR system was activated statewide in 2017 and has seen increasing use by the public over the past few years. This slow adoption of the system means the variance in the number of reported incidents each year may not produce an accurate trend. 

 

• Can unwelcome mats cause harm to cubs’ or grown bears’ paws?  Can you please specify the exact criteria for an unwelcome mat to be effective yet safe?

 

Unwelcome mats should extend minimally three feet from the wall, and two feet to the left and right of the window/door. Ideally, they should be securely anchored or weighted to the ground. There are two types of unwelcome mats: electric and nail. If installed correctly, the electric mats should not cause any injuries to the bear, adult or cub. The system uses similar concepts to electric fence systems commonly used to secure/protect livestock, including young animals. Properly installed electric unwelcome mats have an advantage over nail-style mats in that people can safely walk on them if they are wearing rubber-soled shoes. For the nail mats, it is important that the screws do not protrude further than three-quarters of an inch out of the plywood. The nails should be spaced two inches apart in a grid format. This is to minimize the risk of injury to the bear, people, or other animals. Residents using unwelcome mats of either type should exercise best practices by posting warning signs, so visitors and delivery workers are not caught unaware.

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Bears have a high pain tolerance which is why such seemingly extreme measures may be necessary. It is much more dangerous for the bear to get into a house than to step on an unwelcome mat. Wild or non-habituated bears would not get close enough to human habitation to step on an unwelcome mat in the first place. The mats reinforce to bears that they should not approach homes. This is ultimately for their safety and ours.

 

• What have you found to be the most effective deterrent? Electrical fences, electrical bungees, unwelcome mats, motion-activated flood lighting, etc.?

 

There is no one-size-fits-all solution for black bear exclusion/deterrents. Some deterrents will work well on one bear but not on another. There have been a few trends regarding the black bear depredation reports I have received from PMC. French doors and doors with inlaid glass have been particularly vulnerable to bear entry. Glass and the narrow pieces of wood supporting the panes are no match for bears. There are three main solutions for this problem. One option is to replace the door with a sturdier one. It is important to use long robust screws at the hinges and make sure that the door frame is in good condition. The other option (or in addition to a new door) is to install a metal security door. Electric unwelcome mats are also optimal for placement in front of a door. Large windows that are low to the ground and sliding glass doors have also been a regular entry point for bears. Again, unwelcome mats are likely the most cost-effective solution. 

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The bears in PMC have been primarily targeting unoccupied homes. We recommend that when residents leave their homes, they securely lock all doors and windows, and have a radio set to a talk station play inside. Additionally, window shades should be drawn, and bright motion-activated lights should be installed. This is to make it appear that the home is occupied if a bear approaches. We do not recommend relying exclusively on this method.

 

• My understanding is that once a bear accesses human food, it is extremely difficult to get them to naturally forage again. What does that mean in terms of cubs being taught to go after human food by their mothers? How many years does it take to unlearn this behavior? Is it even possible?

 

Black bears will try to consume the most calories with a minimal amount of physical exertion. Bears will spend more time in locations with a higher accessible caloric density than those of lower production. Human communities have a very high density of calories compared to a forest. If bears get access to this food, they will spend more time within communities like PMC. This is why it is important to secure all attractants and persistently haze bears when they are observed near homes. Even if a bear is habituated and food conditioned, if they do not get access to human food, they would be forced to forage for natural food sources. For example, orphaned black bear cubs at wildlife care facilities are exclusively provided food by humans. However, they can adapt to natural food foraging behaviors when released.

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• How many human or pet injuries have resulted due to bear encounters in PMC in the last decade? 

 

For the number of human injuries, I would need to refer you to the CDFW Law Enforcement Division. Black bear attacks are very uncommon, and California has not had any documented fatal attacks. I do not have any numbers on pet injuries, particularly over such a time scale. I can say with confidence that the number of pet injuries is minimal. It is important to keep dogs on a leash during outdoor activities in bear country. Many of the injuries to dogs occur after they aggress toward a bear. In my experience, the most common domesticated animals depredated by black bears are chickens. I have also seen a couple of pig and goat black bear depredations. These types of incidents are rare as black bears do not prefer to procure food through ambush techniques. 

 

• Do you know if most homeowner’s policies cover wildlife damage? 

 

Home insurance coverage is dependent upon the specific company and policy. Unfortunately, I do not have any information on the prevalence of wildlife damage coverage. 

 

• We had 137 break-ins by bears in August. Have you ever seen a hotspot like this and what was the result? Were other communities with this much of a problem able to get it under control, and if so, how?

 

As mentioned above regarding the challenges of receiving accurate reporting, we do not have records of reports that reflect this number of break-ins. This year, we did not begin receiving reports of bear issues in PMC until July. 

Successful black bear depredation responses employ multiple mitigation methods. Historically, this relied heavily on hunting and lethal removal of depredation animals. Currently, we are working on public education and cooperation to employ black bear exclusion practices, deterrent methods, and hazing. The goal is to address the underlying issues that are resulting in habituated and food-conditioned bears. This will only work if residents abstain from feeding wildlife, secure attractants, take other proactive measures, and report incidents to CDFW. I am not aware of any examples of successful community-wide mitigation of depredation black bears under the current CDFW bear policy.

 

• What legal action is taking place against known bear feeders? My understanding is that we have 4 active bear feeders in Pine Mountain Club at the moment, not counting visitors or others who may unintentionally be feeding them. Can anything be done at the county or state level? 

 

California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Section 251.3 dictates that “no person shall knowingly feed big game mammals”. Any wildlife violations can be reported to the CALTIP hotline: 888-334-2258. CALTIP also has text and smartphone app options and reports can be made anonymously. (You can reach out to CDFW law enforcement division for additional information). Local and county-level regulations and enforcement would likely help in deterring residents from feeding wildlife.

 

• Wish we could say for sure why some houses are getting vandalized by bears without any attractants, while others are pretty much left alone. Is it a particular bear? Is it something about the houses? Are they next to other houses that have rewarded the bears? Do we know how bears choose their targets?

 

If a landowner is intentionally feeding bears, this can draw in more bears to that street. However, we are observing black bear damage across PMC. The bears are targeting homes that are unoccupied, that have not set up any deterrents, and that have vulnerable entry points (e.g., French doors, doors with inlaid glass, large low windows/sliding doors). See question seven for prevention methods. 

 

• How effective have you found dogs in the home to be in our area in preventing break-ins? How effective are sound alarms that bark or make other noises?

 

Electric deterrents can be unreliable and black bears can become habituated to noise deterrents. This is why we do not recommend relying exclusively on these deterrent types. Their primary benefit is to enhance exclusion methods and alert homeowners to the presence of bears. Antidotally, I almost never get reports of black bear structure invasions at homes with multiple large dogs.

 

• Is there anything else you'd like us to be aware of? 

 

In the past, there has been some confusion between CDFW, residents, and the PMC Association regarding what is and is not allowed. Prior to the new statewide black bear policy in 2022, lethal depredation permits were easier for CDFW to issue, but PMC Association rules prohibited all trapping activities. We did not want to authorize activities that might result in repercussions to residents due to violating Association rules. Projectiles including paintballs, which can be an effective hazing tool, are prohibited to residents. Advice from CDFW to residents to utilize electric fencing or unwelcome mats was contradicted by an Association board member who stated such devices were prohibited. 

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In the past year, many of these issues have been resolved but it would be beneficial to have a clear document from the Association describing what methods are allowed, when there might be exceptions, and general policies for addressing human-bear conflict in the community. A clear set of rules and policies set in a document would empower residents to effectively respond to bear issues. Additionally, there are reports that attractants on association property, such as the Pine Mountain Club Transfer Site, are also drawing in bears. Locations like this would benefit from electric fencing and community demands to bear-proof the site. 

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Our deepest thanks to Chris for answering our questions so thoroughly.

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For more information from CA Fish and Wildlife on bears, click here.

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To report a bear break-in, click here.