What to do when you see a bear at Lake Tahoe

October 2, 8:11 AMSF Lake Tahoe Travel ExaminerElizabeth Sedway

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by: Elizabeth Sedway, TahoeKidsGuide.com

Black Bears are the only type of bear found at Lake Tahoe.  As winter approaches, these bears search for food up to 20 hours a day, all in an effort to store enough fat to sustain them through their hibernation.  The search primarily for berries, plants, nuts, roots, honey, honeycomb, insects, larvae, carrion and small mammals.  Bear have, however, learned that human garbage is a great place to find food.

To avoid an encounter with bears at Lake Tahoe, whether at your home or campsite, keep the area free of garbage that smells like food.  Campsites around the lake offer lock boxes.  Bears learn they cannot access food in these boxes.  Similarly, while staying at a home at Lake Tahoe, place all garbage in a bear box, or locked container designed to contain garbage in a place inaccessible to bears.

In Incline Village, on the north shore of Lake Tahoe, citizens can report bearing siting and encounters on-line.  These are typical examples of black bear encounters, during this time of year.  Read about recent encounters here.

If you do encounter a bear, the U.S. Forest Service has the following advice:

In Your Yard:  Do not run. Be aggressive and assert your dominance by standing tall and making noise that will scare the bear away. Banging pots and pans together and shouting loudly works well.

In the Woods:  This is the bear's territory, respect that and do not run. Make eye contact cut don't stare, pick up small children, make yourself appear as large as possible, stay calm and quiet, back away and enjoy the experience from a safe distance.

Anywhere:  If the bear attempts to get away, do not block the bear's escape route! Bears will often climb a tree if frightened and usually won't come down if humans or dogs are present.

• Never get between a mom and her cubs.
• Slowly walk away and make a loud noise.
• Though attacks are very rare, if you are attacked, fight back aggressively!

For more information about bears in the Lake Tahoe Basin, please contact the following resources in your area:

California Department of Fish and Game
(916) 984-7123

Nevada Division of Wildlife
(775) 688-1500 General Info
(775) 688-1331 Report Incidents to Dispatch

Bear League
(530) 525-7297

Lake Tahoe Wildlife Care Center
(530) 577-2273

Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit Forest Service Office
(530) 543-2600

Tahoe Council for Wild Bears
 

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