Already officials with DFG have begun receiving calls regarding bears scavenging in garbage cans, and wandering through residential neighborhoods or campsites. Although seeing a wild bear can be a unique and exciting experience, it can be unnerving when viewed under those circumstances. And more often than not, people mistakes are the biggest contributors to developing a nuisance bear.

"Problems begin when bears learn to associate an easy food supply with humans and developed areas," said Doug Updike, DFG senior wildlife biologist. "Once this happens the bear becomes habituated or conditioned to going after human food because it's easy. In the end, if people haven't changed their ways, the bear won't either."

The bears which feast on human food often gain too much weight, have more cubs than normal, and become urban residents. As they get comfortable around people, their natural fear of humans can subside, resulting in breaking into homes and cars. The unfortunate result of a bear becoming habituated to human food can be death. Bears can become repeat offenders after they have lost their wildness, often causing property damage or resulting in humans fearing their close presence in their urban areas. By law, if requested, the DFG must issue a permit to have a problem bear killed.

"The last thing we want to do is issue a permit to kill a bear because it means the bear will have to pay the price for human mistakes," Updike said. "And if humans don't clean up their act, the problem isn't solved and another bear will come along and take its place."

The best advice for homeowners and campers who live and enjoy California's wild areas is to remove or pack-up tightly anything that might attract a bear. "People need to be cautious with garbage, dog food, and charcoal grills because bears have a tremendous sense of smell," Updike said. "They will also go after these types of food, even when their natural food supply is good. Providing bears with human food is like taking the wild out of wildlife."

Black bears will eat almost anything. A bear that becomes conditioned to eating dog food left outside, for example, or going after a bird feeder on a front porch, can quickly lose its natural aversion to people and become a nuisance or even worse, a threat to humans.

For anyone living in bear habitat or who encounters a bear, these are some rules to follow:

• Never feed a bear - People should never feed bears, even unintentionally. It is also against the law (several local ordinances cite people for feeding bears).
• Remove or contain all bear attractants - Bear attractants include pet food and anything smelly or edible, especially garbage. Bears are also attracted to beehives, orchards and gardens. Occasionally, livestock are killed and eaten. Keep barbeque grills clean, pick up fallen tree fruit, and put away pet food and bird feeders at night. Encourage your neighbors to participate as well.
• Never approach a bear - Most black bears will avoid a confrontation if given the chance. If a bear encounter occurs, make sure to give the animal enough space to escape. Most human injuries associated with black bears occur when a bear is approached. If a black bear approaches, try to demonstrate that you may be a danger to it. Make yourself larger, stand up, raise your arms and open your jacket. Yell, bang pots and pans or whatever objects you may have that will create a commotion.
• Do not run from a bear - Running away from a black bear may stimulate its instinct to chase. No human will be able to outrun a bear. Instead, stand and face the animal. Make eye contact, but don't stare. If you have small children with you, pick them up so they can't run away or panic.

When camping, hiking, or backpacking, make sure to keep a clean camp. Bears are far more likely to visit a camp if there are attractants, which include uncleaned cooking utensils. Also, dispose of all garbage properly and use bear-proof garbage cans whenever possible, or store garbage in a secure location with food. Don't bury or burn excess food because bears will still be attracted to the residual smell. Garbage should be packed out of camp if no trash receptacles are available.

Though it is rare, if a bear behaves aggressively, contact the DFG 24-hour dispatch center at (916) 445-0045. The threat to public safety will be assessed and any appropriate action will be taken.

For more information, view the DFG publication "Living With California Black Bears" at http://www.dfg.ca.gov/hunting/bearbrochure2000.pdf.