Two black bears were shot in Utah County within 24 hours last weekend. On Friday, a campground host shot a bear in Hobble Creek Canyon because of fears for campers’ safety. The following night, Ken "Duff" Coleman, a veterinarian, shot a bear that appeared near his cabin in the South Fork of Provo Canyon after he could not scare it away by throwing fireplace logs at it and shooting rifle shots into the air. Officers from the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources are investigating both shootings to determine if they were justified.
Regardless of the outcome of the investigations into these shootings, these interactions with bears highlight the need for those in bear country to be aware of the wildlife with whom they share the natural environment. The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources offers a number of resources to assist when it comes to bears.
On safety:
Thousands of black bears live in Utah’s forests and mountains, often in the same places we camp, hike and build our houses. This poses a safety concern for both humans and bears. If a bear obtains food from a home or campsite—even once—it may become aggressive in future attempts. This almost guarantees the bear will have to be destroyed. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to protect both you and the bear.
On camping and hiking:
Sloppy campers and hikers don’t just endanger themselves, but also future visitors. Bears have amazing memories; they will return to a site repeatedly if they ate there at some point in the past. When in bear country, you should:
Maintain a bear-safe campsite
Take precautions while hiking
On home and property:
If a bear enters your yard, give it an obvious escape route—do not corner it. Black bears can quickly inflict thousands of dollars in property damage. You can reduce or eliminate visits from bears if you:
Dispose of trash carefully
Use deterrents
On bear encounters:
- Stand your ground. Never back up, lie down or play dead. Stay calm and give the bear a chance to leave. Prepare to use your bear spray or another deterrent.
- Don’t run away or climb a tree. Black bears are excellent climbers and can run up to 35 mph—you cannot outclimb or outrun them.
- Know bear behavior. If a bear stands up, grunts, moans or makes other sounds, it’s not being aggressive. These are the ways a bear gets a better look or smell and expresses its interest.
And if a bear attacks:
- Use bear spray. Then leave the area. Studies have shown bear spray to be 92 percent successful in deterring bear attacks.
- Shoot to kill. If you use a firearm, never fire a warning shot—aim for the center of the bear and keep firing until it is dead. Notify the Division of Wildlife Resources immediately.
- Always fight back. And never give up! People have successfully defended themselves with almost anything: rocks, sticks, backpacks, water bottles and even their hands and feet.
Finally, if you come across a nuisance bear:
If you see a bear in a residential area or you encounter an aggressive bear, please contact the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources immediately. We have offices in:
We will notify a conservation officer or transfer you directly to law enforcement personnel. If your encounter or sighting occurs after business hours (8 a.m.–5 p.m.) or over the weekend, please call the police. They will contact a conservation officer to handle the situation.
Bears are native citizens of Utah and a natural part of our environment. Be prepared for encounters you may have so that the outcome is as safe and positive as possible.
