Bear Visits Woman in Elk River

This bear came and looked in the window of a reader in the Elk River watershed. [all photos submitted by the reader.]

This bear visited a reader while she sat studying in her home in the Elk River watershed just south of Eureka.

and he gave both front and profile views for the official mug shot

 

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Claudia Johnson
Guest
Claudia Johnson
4 years ago

Those are really cute pictures of the bear but they are dangerous seems like there’s been a lot of sightings of wild animals very close to people lately you would think that’s plenty of food out in the forest this time of the year but maybe not

Willie Caos-mayham
Guest
4 years ago

🕯🌳There being pushed out by the growers then the law coming and dozing everything under. Makes quite a a ruckus, good morning Kelley. 🌧

Not happening
Guest
Not happening
4 years ago

Elk River watershed? They aren’t being pushed out by growers. That’s all Headwaters Forest. Quit making shit up.

Enviro love
Guest
Enviro love
4 years ago
Reply to  Not happening

I took the pictures…. there is development around here and trees being cut regularly for the last few weeks and a few legal grows in the area, but I won’t blame the interface with this bear on grows. It is more likely to be too many humans with tasty smelling habits in a compressing environment at the edge of woodland. Curiosity happens, especially while looking for extra nutrition as the season changes.

I’m not an expert- but I do have a degree in ecology.

Government Cheese
Guest
Government Cheese
4 years ago

The Mexican cartel
Growers willi?

TJay
Guest
TJay
4 years ago

This is the time of year they go into hardcore forage mode too, right before hibernation. So they are trying to gain as much weight and find as much food as possible. They will commonly go for whatever seems to be the easiest food source in their location.

Badger
Guest
Badger
4 years ago
Reply to  TJay

Our local bears do not hibernate.

Old Humboldt
Guest
Old Humboldt
4 years ago
Reply to  Badger

I think that’s correct.

Our retired Fish & Game guy (or whatever they call it now) says many or most of these bears actually live in and around Kneeland feasting on acorns but seasonally and traditionally migrate down the hill on age-old trails to Freshwater when the plums, berries, apples and whatever else are close to ripe. They return to Kneeland once the fruit season is over. If you live around Freshwater you know these bears don’t stay here year-round. I’m not sure about Elk River bears or where they come from.

I talked to a Kneeland rancher about this. He said yes, and his neighboring rancher-friend saw the migration this year from his property. He saw 40 bears making the migratory trek, he said. I thought that would be pretty darn cool thing to to see. So I’m thinking they don’t hibernate much.

Enviro lover
Guest
Enviro lover
4 years ago
Reply to  TJay

Seems right. Actually going into full hybernation or not doesn’t likely dissuade the instinct to pack it in as it gets colder and food is most plentiful.

Denise Nyby
Guest
Denise Nyby
4 years ago

If you look closely you can tell there is a window between the bear and the photographer. Not that the glass would stop a bear if it wants to get in but it is much safer then nothing between them. Great photos!!

Liz
Guest
Liz
4 years ago

Since the fires a few years back I have seen all kinds of wildlife that I hadn’t seen all the years before.

Silverlining
Guest
Silverlining
4 years ago

There needs to be hunting of bears. I don’t need the meat but someone might.

Know the rules
Guest
Know the rules
4 years ago
Reply to  Silverlining

There is hunting of bears.
Black bears are rarely dangerous to humans. They usually run away when confronted, unless cornered or with cubs.

Enviro lover
Guest
Enviro lover
4 years ago
Reply to  Silverlining

I see no need to hunt this creature. Not enough meat around? Not enough OTHER food around? Really feel that insecure in your well being? Threatened by a sign of a bigger creature? Then be more responsible with the trash and habits when you live near them. They take so long to raise a single cub- our pressure on their populations is possibly insurmountable- no need for actively hunting them.

They really are mostly gentle giants most of the time. This one ran off like hounds were on his trail when a button on my jacket clicked on the glass pane of the door- curious but just as timid of humans as most of them will be of him.

Twinkletoes
Guest
Twinkletoes
4 years ago

There needs to be [edited for advocating violence albeit subtlety] As for me, I’ll side with the bears.

Central HumCo
Guest
4 years ago

Leave the forest animals alone, what’s left of them.

ernestine
Guest
ernestine
4 years ago

My mother routinely ran off bears, once with cubs present, by being loud.
I dont think shooting is as good as not being in their place of residence honestly.

Silverlining
Guest
Silverlining
4 years ago
Reply to  ernestine

I think Grizzly Bears might have eaten Black Bears.
The original ecology might be unbalanced.
But we used to have Elk everywhere too.

Guest
Guest
Guest
4 years ago

I would like to visit that woman in Elk River! How cool would it be to be hanging out there and see this? Lady, reach out to me. I’ll bring my own sleeping gear, groceries and even cook and do the dishes!

North west
Guest
North west
4 years ago
Reply to  Guest

Pot roast ? Whatcha gonna cook. I’m not the lady but I love good food and great pot roast
She’ll love ya for that

soapboxer
Guest
soapboxer
4 years ago

The bears do not have enough fish and fruit. mendocino redwood killed a lot of food bearing trees (slash and squirt style)all around where i live. Waaay less animals and the many of the ones i see are skinny and hungry. that company has left the dead poisoned trees standing. seems like a fire hazard. btw mendocino coubty has restricted(i do not think entirely banned) hackslash and squirt but i don’t think humboldt is aware that this has happened here quite extensively.

Meee
Guest
Meee
4 years ago

Hey you don’t happen to have an extra pic-a-nic basket? Me an boo boo are hungry…..

Government Cheese
Guest
Government Cheese
4 years ago

Wildlife is cool

S
Guest
S
4 years ago

There is a young Scottish woman running around, saying my mother is a bear.

Ernie Branscomb
Guest
Ernie Branscomb
4 years ago

Won’t use names, but there was a lady in Laytonville that fed the bears peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. She became quite popular with the bears. She attracted so many bears that the neighbors started complaining. They finally had to put a restraining order on her. It broke her heart because she truly loved her bears.

Katy Gray
Guest
Katy Gray
4 years ago

I agree with OLD HUMBOLDT The bears are after fruit My neighbor said they’re also attracted to trash He said he’s seen more bears this year than deer

Keahi
Guest
Keahi
4 years ago

Maybe y’all know this and maybe you don’t. It is a fact that the National Park Service deports their delinquent bears from Yosemite, etc. – you know, the ones that can open a Camry like a can of tuna in five minutes, they literally get skilled at particular cars – and where do they bring them? The Mendocino National Forest, that’s where. So we’ve got a few badass bears around here with major attitude. Not impressed by humans. They do love garbage, it’s Panda Express to them. Clean up your garbage and compost areas, wash out your recycles and they won’t trouble you. Much. Oh, and varmint-proof your fruit trees. As for the feeding imperative, that is happening not only with bears but with all creatures as they get ready for winter. Including predators. So this is the time when it is especially important to look out for your pets and livestock. Bring Max and Molly – and the baby – inside while the bears, cats, coyotes and fishers are on the prowl. Happy Fall!

Ice
Guest
Ice
4 years ago
Reply to  Keahi

Any relocated bears have plastic ear tags and usually big numbers spray painted on their sides ( at time of release, the paint wears off) . They are never relocated in occupied National Forest areas but released in researched out Wilderness areas far from people. ( To make sure the area isnt another bears’ territory) Some were releaased in the Yolla Bolla Wilderness many years ago…Very few bears even get relocated anymore compared to the 80’s. So your chances of ever seeing one are slim..

burblestein
Guest
burblestein
4 years ago

Yes, Mendocino County passed Measure V banning hack and squirt. Yes, the Mendocino Redwood County has ignored the law. And yes, the Attorney General has refused to enforce it. So much for the safety of the citizenry.

Mudgie
Guest
4 years ago

Be careful, a bear that is not afraid of you can be very dangerous.