Hi Hotcoffee thanks for the black bear news...I figured this thread was a good place to tuck this:

The ancients would regard such an event as a sign or omen of something political or military, I wonder what?
http://www.bbc.com/news/av/world-us-canada-44250472/fox-catches-rabbit-then-eagle-swoops-in

: My neighbor the black bear was on my porch yesterday...so I'm
: posting this in case you have bear neighbors too. The
: article doesn't say so but bears are unbelievably quiet!!!
: HC

: Black bears are on the move for spring! Here’s some safety
: tips from Fish & Wildlife

: MENDOCINO Co., 5/25/18 — Winter is behind us, and both humans
: and black bears are stretching their legs, getting ready to
: go exploring, and hungry for the bountiful foods of summer.
: Here in Mendocino County, it’s not unusual to see signs of
: our bear neighbors, particularly for anyone who lives in a
: more rural part of the county — or even just outside of
: town.

: But do you know what to do if you run into a black bear face
: to face, or how to keep yourself and your home safe while
: co-existing with bears? According to the California
: Department of Fish & Wildlife‘s Vicky Monroe, “Over the
: years, reported human-bear conflicts have increased
: significantly.” It’s estimated that there are around 35,000
: black bears in California, and they can grow up to 500 lbs
: and run up to 35 mph. Plus, right now, they’re pretty
: hungry.
: Don't approach a mother black bear and her cub!
: Don’t approach a mother black bear and her cub!

: Here’s some helpful tips from CDFW about bear-proofing your
: home or campsite, and what to do if you encounter a bear in
: your yard or while hiking. If you want to read even more,
: there’s some links to more information about our bear
: neighbors.

: California’s black bears are active and hungry after a period
: of hunkering down through the winter. As a reminder, the
: California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW)
: encourages people to help reduce unwanted encounters with
: this large mammal by being “bear aware.” People who visit
: or live in bear country can take actions that promote
: responsible behavior and safe co-existence with bears.

: Black bears are the only bear species in California. They
: generally prefer mountainous areas and natural habitat.
: However, as more people visit parks and wilderness areas
: and choose to live in or near bear habitat, some bears may
: become used to the presence of people and as a result
: display less shy and avoidant behavior.

: “Over the years, reported human-bear conflicts have increased
: significantly,” said Vicky Monroe, CDFW’s Wildlife Conflict
: Programs Coordinator. “Each spring and summer we receive
: numerous calls from the public reporting anything from
: black bears eating food off campground picnic tables to
: bears taking dips in residential swimming pools.”

: Black bears have a diverse diet and can eat nearly anything,
: from berries and insects to pet food, human trash and road
: kill. They also have a highly specialized sense of smell,
: which can sometimes lead them to enter homes, cabins and
: tents while following their nose (and stomach) to a food
: source. Local communities and areas of human activity in or
: around bear habitat can provide a tempting food supply for
: a hungry bear. However, unwanted and/or destructive bear
: activity may be significantly reduced or even eliminated,
: when people are mindful and remember to remove attractants
: and access to food.

: Tips for Bear-proofing your Home, Rental or Timeshare

: Bears may venture into areas of human activity close to bear
: habitat, in search of food. The best defense against bear
: break-ins and bears in your yard is to eliminate
: attractants to your property by following these tips:
: Purchase and properly use a bear-proof garbage container.

: Wait to put trash out until the morning of collection day.

: Do not leave trash, groceries or pet food in your car.

: Keep garbage cans clean and deodorize them with bleach or
: ammonia.

: Keep barbecue grills clean and stored in a garage or shed when
: not in use.

: It is advised to not hang bird feeders in bear country. If you
: must, only do so during November through March and make
: them inaccessible to bears. Keep in mind bears are
: excellent climbers.

: Do not leave any scented products outside, even non-food items
: such as suntan lotion, insect repellent, soap or candles.

: Keep doors and windows closed and locked when unoccupied.

: Consider installing motion-detector alarms and/or electric
: fencing.

: Harvest fruit off trees as soon as it is ripe, and promptly
: collect fruit that falls.

: Bring pets in at night. Provide safe and secure quarters for
: livestock at night.

: Consider composting bins as opposed to open composting.

: Securely block access to potential hibernation sites such as
: crawl spaces under decks and buildings.

: Do not spray bear spray around property – when it dries, it
: can serve as an attractant.

: Do not feed deer or other wildlife – this will attract bears
: to your property.

: Tips for Bear Proofing your Campsite

: Maintaining a clean campsite is the responsible and safe thing
: to do when visiting bear country. Here are a few tips for
: bear proofing your campsite: Haul garbage out of camp
: regularly – check with camp host or other camp personnel
: about safe garbage storage. Use bear lockers if available.

: Store food (including pet food) and toiletries in bear-proof
: containers or in an airtight container in the trunk of your
: vehicle if bear lockers are not available. In some areas,
: food storage in the trunk is not advisable. Check with camp
: or park personnel.

: Clean dishes and store food and garbage immediately after
: meals.

: Clean your grill after each use.

: Never keep food or toiletries in your tent.

: Change out of clothes you cooked in before going to bed.

: Do not clean fish in camp.

: Do not leave pets unattended in camp or sleeping outside.

: If in the backcountry, store food in a bear-resistant food
: canister.

: Use bear resistant ice chests (some jurisdictions will only
: allow ice chests that are approved as bear resistant)

: Tips for Hiking in Bear Country

: Bears may react defensively if your presence is not known –
: make noise while hiking. Talk loudly or whistle.

: If possible, travel with a group of people.

: Avoid thick brush and walk with the wind at your back so your
: scent is ahead of you.

: Watch for bear sign along trails – scat, tracks and stripped
: bark off trees.

: Avoid sites where dead animal carcasses are observed.

: If you see a bear, avoid it and give it the opportunity to
: avoid you.

: Leash dogs while hiking in bear country – dogs can surprise
: and aggravate bears – bringing the bear back to you when
: the dog flees from the bear.

: Black Bear Safety Reminders

: Black bear behavior is not always predictable. Human-bear
: attacks are rare in California; however, they do occur.
: There is no single safety strategy applicable to every bear
: encounter.

: Individual bears can display varying levels of tolerance and
: temperament.

: Prevention is better than confrontation.

: Keep as much distance as possible between you and the bear.

: Share this information with your children. Make sure they know
: to tell you if they see a bear in the area. Be Bear Aware.

: Black Bear Encounters

: These are general guidelines based on research by wildlife
: managers and scientists, intended to help keep you safe in
: the event of a black bear encounter. Keep in mind that
: safety tips for grizzly bears are not the same as for black
: bear. California does not have grizzly bears.

: If a bear breaks into your home, do not confront the bear.
: Most bears will quickly look for an escape route. Move away
: to a safe place. Do not block exit points. If the bear does
: not leave, call 911.

: If you encounter a bear in your yard, chances are it will move
: on if there is nothing for the bear to forage. If there is
: enough distance between you and the bear, you can encourage
: the bear to leave by using noisemakers or blowing a
: whistle.

: If you encounter a bear while hiking and it does not see you.
: Back away and increase your distance. Clap hands or make
: noise so the bear knows you are there and will move on.

: If you encounter a bear on the trail and it sees you. Do not
: make eye contact. Back away, do not run. Let the bear know
: you are not a threat. Give it a chance to leave.

: If a bear approaches you, make yourself look bigger by lifting
: and waving arms. Use noisemakers, or yell at the bear. If
: small children are present, keep them close to you.Carry
: and know how to use bear spray as a deterrent. In the event
: of a black bear attack, it is usually recommended to fight
: back. However, each situation is different. Prevention is
: the key.

: Black Bear Facts

: Black bears are the only bear species found in California.
: They range in color from blonde to black, with cinnamon
: brown being the most common.

: There are an estimated 35,000 bears in California.

: Males are much larger than females and can weigh up to 500
: pounds, although average weight is about 300 pounds.

: Black bears can sprint up to 35 mph and they are strong
: swimmers and great tree climbers.

: Bears are omnivorous eating foods ranging from berries,
: plants, nuts, roots, and honey, honeycomb, insects, larvae,
: carrion and small mammals.

: Bears typically mate in June and July.

: Bear cubs are born in winter dens in January and February and
: are hairless, deaf and blind.

: Black bear attacks are rare in California and typically are
: defensive in nature because the bear is surprised or
: defending cubs; however, bears accustomed to people may
: become too bold and act aggressively.

: Female black bears will often send cubs up a tree and leave
: the area in response to a perceived threat. Do not remain
: in the area – when you leave, she will come back for her
: cubs.

: For more information about black bear biology please visit
: www.wildlife.ca.gov/Conservation/Mammals/Black-Bear/Biology
: .

: For information about bear proof containers and where to buy
: them, please visit
: www.wildlife.ca.gov/Keep-Me-Wild/Products .

: found here

: https://www.mendovoice.com/2018/05/bear-safety-tips/