Lack of food source forces hungry bears into camps

A much milder summer than years past could mean trouble for campers and hikers in Washington.

Bill Hebner, spokesperson with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Department, said bears are sticking around in the lower elevations much longer this summer because there is a lack of available food source up higher.

“Just like everybody has experienced a cold, wet spring, their gardens are later, fruit trees are later, everything is coming on two or three weeks later than it did in years prior,” he said, “including available food sources for bears.”

If you plan to head out on a hike or go camping, Hebner said it’s even more important to store your food and garbage in proper containers and string it up in trees. Don’t forget to include your soap and toothpaste, or anything else that has an attracting odor.

However, just because you take the necessary precautions, it doesn’t necessarily mean you’re not going to run into a hungry bear.

Hebner said they recently had a problem in the Necklace Valley off Highway 2 where overnight campers reported a black bear tearing up tents. Upon further investigation, Hebner said the campers had taken all the steps and didn’t have any “bear attractants.”

“We don’t feel there’s a threat at this point, to people, but it is something to be aware of. Know that even if you do follow these practices, sometimes you could still have a problem,” he said.