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61 °F Forecast | Road Cams Sunday, September 19, 2004 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics Tempo AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map SPECIAL SECTIONS Since We Asked Outdoor Journal How To Guide Wellness Connection Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Wedding Guide Rogue Valley's Finest EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People MARKETPLACE Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Classifieds Place an ad eSouthernOregon Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar CUSTOMER SERVICE Frequent Questions Advertising Information Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Network Affiliate Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend December 7, 2003 Bears behaving themselves this year By MARK FREEMAN Mail Tribune Damage caused by hungry black bears is down by more than half this year, and rural residents can thank berry bushes and themselves for the improvement. The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife has received fewer than 100 complaints from landowners suffering from rifled trash cans, broken sheds and gashed garages caused by bears seeking food. That’s down from 218 such complaints last year in what has become the annual problem of hungry bears raiding rural residences, orchards and vineyards. ODFW biologist Mark Vargas says part of the improvement came because bears enjoyed good food sources in the forest this year. That likely reduced the need to head toward town, he said. "We’ve had an incredible berry crop in the woods this year, so bears didn’t cause as much grief as they did before in the urban interface," Vargas said. Advertisement But the berry crop wasn’t enough to reduce damage complaints in bear hot-spots such as Selma, Cave Junction and O’Brien — areas with lots of bears, plenty of rural landowners and lots of regular interaction. ODFW biologist Rosemary Stussy said bears were pushed toward town by last year’s Biscuit fire, which burned through nearly a half million acres. "Because of the Biscuit fire, they came to town," Stussy said. But the valley’s overall drop also came after several conservation groups and the ODFW ran public-service campaigns urging rural residents to reduce bear-luring practices. By keeping garbage inside, not feeding pets outside and keeping small pets indoors at night, those living along the urban fringe can reduce their bear problems. "I hope some people are getting the message and preventing conflicts before they happen," said Joseph Vaile of the Klamath-Siskiyou Wildlands Center, which ran "bear-proofing" spots on local radio. "In the future, I hope we have more years like this," he said. The number of people who complain about black bear damage fluctuates greatly in the Rogue Valley. The ODFW received a record 318 complaints in 1999. But calls to the agency’s Central Point office plunged to 119 in 2000 and hit 120 in 2001 before last year’s spike. In the past, the ODFW trapped problem bears and released them elsewhere as a way to give them one last chance at a wild life. Two-time pests were killed. But research indicates that bears habitually key in on humans for food once they start, so all damage-causing bears now often get a death sentence that is usually carried out by the landowner, a licensed sport hunter or a hired gun. Landowners also have the option to live with the problem. Stussy, who handles most of the damage complaints for the ODFW, tells landowners to try hazing the bear and clean up whatever food source lured it, she said. If the problems persist, she recommends the bear be shot. "I try to go advice first, then lethal means last," she said. Bears shot over damage issues must be reported to the Oregon State Police or ODFW, which by law must take possession of the reproductive tract and gall bladder within 72 hours, Stussy said. Also, the meat from a damage-killed bear must be salvaged, she said. Most bear damage occurs in the fall, Vargas said. Damage complaints fall to near zero by now as bears sleep more of their days away. But those living along the fringes of Rogue Valley towns are not completely out of their annual wildlife-damage dilemmas. Winter brings black-tailed deer and Roosevelt elk herds toward the valley floor, Vargas said. Complaints about black-tailed deer eating yard flora and elk tromping through orchards and vineyards tend to rise in winter, he said. Also, wild turkeys roosting on roofs and laying landmines on lawns also are common complaints in some low-lying areas where turkeys are common. Reach reporter Mark Freeman at 776-4470, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2004 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback ADVERTISERS A D V E R T I S E R S SPECIAL SECTIONS Auto Finder Job Finder Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Since We Asked Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Opportunities