This is a bear season in Colorado and western America On 11 June, the United States Forest Service (USFS) banned the tent camp on one of the most popular campgrounds in the Rooring Fork Valley after a black bear in a tent with two sleeping children. This week, the USFS canceled the tent ban, but is still encouraging the campers to be vigilant and practicing bear safety.

Following the bear incident, the USFS transferred or returned all tent campers that had reservation in difficult campgrounds. The USFS said the incident was not the first bear encounter, which was near the campers in this campground, and the bear has been seen in the region.

Nevertheless, since there have been no further incidents, the prohibition on the tent was removed on 20 June.

Gearjanki visited a difficult campground and spoke with the host. He asked to remain anonymous, but confirmed that it is very common to see bears in the area.

“One this morning was just screaming in my campsite,” he said. “This is their home.”

In fact, he said, the bears are very local for the region, some have names, such as brutus, a bear that has been in constant campground for almost 8 years. Therefore, it is not uncommon to see a bear; However, they have the current boldness around the campers.

“They are not retreating at this time, which is very related to forest services and us,” the host said. “Generally, if you shout in a black bear, they walk. These people like,” I can be able to take you. “

Welcoming tents, still bears in the area

Neither the children were involved in last week’s bear encounter. As Espain TimesHis tent had some claw marks from where the bear punctured the pavement. But the children were “not painful” and the next day went for hiking with their parents.

David Boad, a public affair officer of USFS, told Gearjanki that the bear was fine. It did not come in any meal, and no one was harmed, so it did not need to move or eutterize it.

Nevertheless, the incident was one that did not want to take opportunity with USFS.

,[We] These active steps for public safety are taking, “Deputy District Ranger Jennifer Shular said Press release Announcing the difficult campground tent ban on 11 June. He said that the USFS was also closely coordinating with Colorado Park and Wildlife (CPW).

The difficult campground is just 9 minutes before the Independence pass side. It is surrounded by thick vegetation, berry plants and bushes, and the roar sits at a distance of a few hundred yards from the fork river.

It found 47 sites, which are booked weeks and months in advance due to closeness from the city, as well as many trails, lakes, currents, and more. Even after this incident and during the tent prohibition, the host said he was overbook with guests.

A tourist coming from the Netherlands told Gearjanki that he and her lover got an email about the tent ban before their stay from the USFS. Her lover bought a canister of bear spray, “Just in the case.”

Another family of campers who had been going for 11 years annually said that they never saw a bear in a difficult campground. But they always camp specially in a trailer because it is safe from wildlife.

“I know it’s not 100%,” Mitchell said, mother. “But it’s at least a little better.”

Bear safe during bear season

When I visited, the difficult campground was not subtle about its bear safety signage. Two big whiteboards congratulated the guests, as they entered, warned of the tent restriction and the appearance of the bear. Those people have been removed.

The fee station is a major signal about the best bear safety practices. Each camp consists of bear-resistant storage lockers for food and even more bear safety information has zip-related signs in tables.

Boyd said, “The key is keeping a bear by receiving food reward from humans.” “We don’t want them to learn that there is a good place to find a campground food.”

The difficult campground host said that it also considers “food”. Garbage, shampoo, conditioner, makeup, body spray, soap, toothpaste, or something that a bear smells of food smell, needs to be safely stored at night, either in a bear storage locker, a bear resistant container, your tourist, or a closed vehicle.

Deputy District Ranger Shuller said, “Keeping a bear from getting your food keeps you safe, maintains your neighboring campers and camper that keep you safe, and help to protect the bear.”