Keep Bears
Wild and Out of Structures at Crystal Lakes!
Bears can cause significant damage to buildings. Bears enter structures because they have
learned that they can find food there. Prevent bears from trying to enter your
building:
1. Scare away all bears near buildings or in
yards:
*Air horn
*Bang on pots and
pans
*Yell
*Throw
rocks
*Use pepper spray (carefully -
don't spray upwind or near other people!)
*Motion sensor with noise -
radio or barking dog sound
**Use a variety
of methods**
2.
Keep the area around your buildings free of anything that would attract
bears.
*No
garbage outside! Keep waste storage
areas clean.
*
Feed birds only in winter, from November 15 to May 1. Hummingbird feeders are
okay,
but bring them in every evening at dusk.
*
Store pet food in airtight container inside.
*
Clean BBQ grills with bleach solution after each use.
*
Keep all horse food in a bear proof container such as a locked metal job
box.
*
Feeding big game (deer and elk) is illegal in Colorado, as is failing to remove
any
items
that are an attractant to black bear, coyote, or fox.
3. Take all potential food items out of
buildings (including trailers) when you leave.
*Don't leave any human or pet
food, including cans and "airtight" containers.
*Remove all
cosmetics.
*Clean stove/oven vents,
including filter and fans.
4.
Secure doors and windows, and use bear deterrents as necessary.
*Close and lock any accessible
windows and doors when you're not
home.
*Replace louvered windows if
possible.
*Use "Unwelcome Mats" under
windows and in front of doors.
*Keep garage doors closed at
all times.
*Install good quality round
handled door knobs on all outside doors.
Sturdy metal
doors are best.
*Trim all tree limbs which may
provide access to upper level decks/windows.
*Use electric fencing to
protect your trailer and/or entire yard.
It's up to us - Crystal Lakes residents - to keep
bears wild.
For more information on deterrents, call the Crystal
Lakes office at (970)881-2250.