Nope. The title above is not a printer’s error. Walk to a mirror and hold this page at chin level to read the message. You will see the true solution to the problem of black bears being killed in these Mountain Communities. By Patric Hedlund, Editor
Black bears are amazing animals. California Department of Fish and Wildlife Biologist Greg Gerstenberg said the most recent estimate is that 34,000 of them live in California. An adult male may weigh up to 500 pounds, a female 350-400 pounds. Still, they can be fast and agile, running 35 miles per hour in spurts and able to shimmy 30 feet up a tree in a flash. Their keen sense of smell can locate potential food from long distances—whether scented soap or chewing gum or that grill that was left out, uncleaned. They are “opportunistic omnivores,” meaning they eat what they can find, from insects and small animals to berries and yes, human garbage if they can find it.
“If bears are allowed to access human food, pet food and garbage, they quickly become conditioned to humans. When this happens, bear-human conflicts occur,” Bear Aware literature says. “Bears that lose their natural fear of humans can become aggressive and dangerous,” it adds.
To see a bear that is too casual around humans is like seeing a bear with just three legs. Something it needs to stay alive and safe has been amputated. To lose its wild instincts that are critical to its survival is a tragedy, and often a death sentence for a black bear.
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife has failed this community by declining to adequately investigate, cite and prosecute reports of habitual bear feeding here. The Kern County District Attorney has failed this community by declining to work with the CDFW to carry prosecutions forward. And the Pine Mountain Club Property Owners Association has not enforced its own rules against feeding bears, even allowing them to lapse five years ago. It is time for that to change. If the people who are so outraged about this young bear being shot do not take that outrage to the doors of the officials responsible for enforcing the law, they are doomed to see it happen over and over again.
Our neighbors who are “feeders” are creating multi-generational habituation of black bears. Young cubs that are fed learn quickly. They grow up to breed and bear young, teaching their own offspring to forage around human homes instead of on the mountain and in the forests for food and water.
Living in the forest is a privilege that comes with some inconveniences. The regulations maintained for two years in Pine Mountain Club (2007-2009)—but inadequately enforced—said that people could be fined for leaving any form of food outside unattended; all trash containers had to be secured against entry by wildlife; no food freezers or refrigerators could be maintained outside of the home.
The current PMCPOA chairman, Mike DeAngelis, said, “We want discussion from the community on Friday night, Sept. 19,” about restoring these rules. A special meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m. at the Condor Room. This time, though, DeAngelis says, citations will be immediate, with no second chances.
We’ve all grown up from childhood with America’s favorite mascot delivering the message: “Smokey the bear says, ‘Only you can prevent forest fires.’” In the same way, only you can help keep Smokey safe, by helping to keep the bears that live in this forest wild.
See the reports leading to this editorial: part one and part two stories, plus letters to the editor, with comment. To see full stories with photos, please go to The Mountain Enterprise e-Edition (login required) Have your newspaper delivered via mail and include internet access! Just call 661-245-3794. Or step out and get it now! This story and others are available right now in The Mountain Enterprise at newsstands throughout the Mountain Communities.
Find it at these locations:
Frazier Park
Frazier Park Market
Frazier Park Post Office
Don’s Liquor Market
Caveman Cavey’s Pizza
Frazier Park Pharmacy
Alpine Lumber & Hardware
La Sierra Mexican Restaurant
Factory Direct Appliances
Ace Hardware / Frazier Park Lumber
Falcon’s Nest Restaurant
Big John’s Restaurant
Tecuya Feed
The New Coffee Cantina
Lebec
Sam’s Liquor Market
Flying J Denny’s entrance
Shell Gas Station
Chevron Gas Station
Los Pinos Mexican Restaurant
Clinica Sierra Vista
Lebec Post Office
Ridge Route Antiques
Lake of the Woods
Midway Market
Mountain View Market
Mike’s Pizza Co.
Pinon Pines
At the mailboxes
Pine Mountain Community
Pine Mountain Post Office
Pine Mountain General Store
Bear Claw Bakery
Mommy’s Roadhouse Restaurant
Pine Mountain Pizza Co.
Cafe Silva Bella
Pine Mountain Clubhouse (Bistro entrance)
Gorman
Carl’s Jr.
Gorman Plaza Market
West Antelope Valley
Antelope Acres Market
Wee Ville Market
Fairmont Market
This is part of the September 19, 2014 online edition of The Mountain Enterprise.
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