A Yearling Black Bear’s Desire for People Food Could Lead to a Bad End Near Gasquet, Says Forest Service as They Close Sand Camp
![Bear [Stock image from Jill Duffy]](https://kymkemp.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/Bear-in-June-6851-300x200.jpeg)
Bear [Stock image from Jill Duffy]
Multiple encounters with a yearling black bear along the South Fork of the Smith River at Sand Camp, on the Smith River National Recreation Area (NRA) of the Six Rivers National Forest, has prompted a temporary closure for public safety while California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) and US Forest Service officials attempt to “haze” the bear. Hazing is a non-lethal approach used to encourage the bear to move on and resume normal foraging behavior—for nuts, berries and grubs—away from humans.
The two-week closure of the Sand Camp area is set for Thursday, August 6 through Wednesday, August 19, 2020. The CDFW requested the US Forest Service close the site for two weeks, so both agencies may continue their hazing efforts without the temptation of human food, although hazing efforts have so far proven unsuccessful.
The bear has been harassing visitors for weeks, approaching them without fear, stealing food, bags and breaking into cars via open windows. In addition to hazing, US Forest Service and CDFW staff have been educating the public about not feeding bears—or any wildlife!
According to Jeff Marszal, district ranger for the Smith River NRA, “If, after this two-week period, we’re not successful with changing the bear’s behavior, the bear will have to be relocated or, unfortunately, euthanized.”
While the Sand Camp area is closed, Smith River NRA staff encourage visitors to enjoy other river-access sites along the South Fork of the Smith River and South Fork Road, including Craigs Beach and Stevens Bridge.
Both agencies encourage visitors to use their public lands, but stress refraining from feeding wildlife.
For additional information, contact Donna Peppin, Smith River NRA natural resource specialist, at [email protected].
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Any time you tame , feed or make a pet of a wild animal you’re condemning them to death. From baby Quail to young bears. I’m 60 years old and I learned this from my ignorance when I was younger
Agreed.
🕯🌳I’ll second that. 🖖
For a minute I almost thought you’d put humans in that list.
Since the the transition from wild to tame has left us with a reliance on the government to tell us who, what , when and where.
I almost think animal’s got it easy.
Too much Disney world Resort mentality.
Good grief. I cannot believe they are closing areas and are going to screw with this bear for two weeks. How much is that going to cost?
It aint gonna work you bunch of ignorant wildlife expert phonies. That bear has already proven he is smarter than you are! You dummies are WAY behind the curve. He’s gonna drive you nuts, until you do something else stupid. Oh, but not until you’ve spent a couple hundred thousand dollars blowin smoke up each others ass.
Get the trap and move this bear to one of your ” wildernesses” you denied the people access to and do EVERONE a favor.
Then go back to bustin pot growers, because that’s all you’re good at any more. You clowns lost touch with the wildlife predicament years and years ago. Matter of fact you have become one of their worst enemies in my opinion. One glaring example is how the CDFW brass stabbed the Eel River fishery in the back at the behest of lying politicians.
Once fed , tamed or habituated to PEOPLE a wild animal Is a goner. Some dummies will never learn. Even when they’re honestly trying to help.
Word
Thanks guest. We need leadership!
Intelligence is fleeting at best these days and you are a breath of fresh air amongst these adle-brained
hippie dope fiends and burnt cookies.
There are lots of intelligent people here in Humboldt, but not necessarily on this reply forum.
People!
All things in this life are connected and when in balance, fulfill their role in the food chain.
When prideful arrogant idiots think their opinions usurp nature, you / we are doomed!
We live in the woods people. It’s not an intellectual issue, it’s a harmony issue!
This is why things are so fucked up! Own it!
Unless an animal is sick and a threat, step back. We are in their world.
Be happy they allow us to hang out.
Confront a Mama Bear and Cubs and get an in your face lesson about natural rules.
The predators in Humboldt are out of balance as it is because you won’t
allow predator thinning by those that understand the need to do so.
The deer population is in danger right now from disease and imbalance.
Nature thins out it’s own. Just let it all be.
We really have more pressing issues don’t ya’ll think?
Skip a rope! “0)
‘Predator Thinning’
Very appropriate concept.
I’d like to see that used more aggressively in D.C.
no kiddin’ North, I still have my side kick skunk, Rose.
More human intrusion on nature. Fireworks or dogs, etc in the wild. Wicked city and suburban folk. Just have your Covid pool parties and leave the bears alone. Vile critters in Ford F150 earth destroyers.
As long as Human Supremacy is excused, apologized for and embraced then not only will Bear’s lives not matter, neither will Black Lives or any other creature considered to be lower-on-the-ladder than the dominant culture.
No one fed this bear. People that use Sand Camp leave their trash everywhere and have no knowledge about camping in bear country.
I hope they enforce this closure at Sand Camp, clean up the ridiculous amount of trash littering that spot, teach people to practice self-responsibility (i.e. how keep a clean camp and their car windows closed). [edit]
Thank you, North west, for this important reminder. Too many people here think Nature is a Disney movie.
Notice any similarities to this scenario when compared with the bear situation?
Oh you mean my ex husband, yeah good luck
Guest, no I don’t. Your comment picture of the police officer’s makes me sick. Try, if you can, to use a little respect for our officers. After seeing their picture I bet they would probably like to “BEAR” down on you. Try sticking to the subject at hand please.
Sorry it went over your head Martin. [edit]
I was just pointing out that the officers might know a whole lot more about how to handle the situation than someone who has no experience, just as the people who have been around bears a lot might know that political correctness can be largely a waste of time and money.
It was meant to be a sympathetic pat on the back for law enforcement, not an insult.
Sorry, hope you feel better soon.
These bears approached us at this river spot. One small 1 right by entrance to sand camp and another at the river swim spot not much bigger. Doesn’t help having ppl camp right by river and dump there food trash right into the river (hot dog buns and whatever’s BS). Sometimes (Locals) are the worst as far as basically bating the bears. I don’t mine swimming with black bears and craw dads in crystal clear waters, but local 19-20 year olds with poor environmental ethics. They ruin it for ppl seeking refuge from Christian campers and out of staters. I prefer bears to crowds of ppl but too many ppl spread trash, and bears get into trouble. Whatever happened to pack it in pack it out? Pretty exciting though bear was having a river day, wish I had pics. Six year old had never seen a bear so close, bear was jumping up and down the river like a otter for about 1/2 mile.
Is this another trash bear from yosemite that was captured and released up here? That does happen to be a dumb idea since the bears then become a nuisance to forrest dwellers in the awilderness😜