It’s bear season in Colorado and throughout the western U.S. On June 11, the US Forest Service (USFS) banned tent tenting at one of many Roaring Fork Valley’s hottest campgrounds after a black bear swiped at a tent with two sleeping youngsters inside. This week, USFS rescinded the tent ban, however remains to be encouraging campers to stay vigilant and observe bear security.
Following the bear incident, USFS relocated or refunded all tent campers who had reservations at Tough Campground. That incident had not been the primary bear encounter that campers had at this campground this yr, USFS mentioned, and bears have continued to be seen within the space.
Nonetheless, since there have been no additional incidents, the prohibition on tents was lifted on June 20.
GearJunkie visited Tough Campground and spoke with the host. She requested to stay nameless, however confirmed that it’s quite common to see bears within the space.
“One was simply chilling out in my campsite this morning,” she mentioned. “That is their residence.”
In reality, she added, the bears are so native to the realm, some have names, like Brutus, a bear who’s been frequenting Tough Campground for round 8 years. So, seeing the bears isn’t uncommon; nevertheless, their present boldness round campers is.
“They’re not backing down in the mean time, which could be very regarding to Forest Companies and us,” the host mentioned. “Usually, when you yell at a black bear, they run. These guys are like, ‘I’d have the ability to take you.’”
Tents Welcomed Again, Bears Nonetheless in Space
Neither of the kids concerned in final week’s bear encounter was harm. In keeping with the Aspen Occasions, their tent had some claw marks from the place the bear had punctured the sidewall. However the youngsters “weren’t traumatized” and went mountain climbing with their mother and father the following day.
David Boyd, a USFS public affairs officer, advised GearJunkie that the bear was tremendous, too. It didn’t get into any meals, and nobody was harmed, so it didn’t have to be relocated or euthanized.
Nonetheless, the incident was one which the USFS didn’t need to take possibilities with.
“[We] are taking this proactive step for public security,” Deputy District Ranger Jennifer Schuller mentioned in a press launch asserting the Tough Campground tent ban on June 11. She mentioned USFS was additionally coordinating intently with Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW).
Tough Campground is simply 9 minutes east of Aspen towards Independence Cross. It’s surrounded by thick vegetation, berry vegetation, and bushes, and sits only a few hundred yards from the Roaring Fork River.
It’s obtained 47 websites which might be booked out weeks and months upfront resulting from its proximity to city, in addition to many trails, lakes, streams, and extra. Even after this incident and throughout the tent prohibition, the host mentioned she was overbooked with visitors.
One camper visiting from the Netherlands advised GearJunkie she and her boyfriend acquired an e mail from USFS concerning the tent ban forward of their keep. Her boyfriend purchased a canister of bear spray, “simply in case.”
One other household of campers who’d been visiting yearly for 11 years mentioned they’d by no means seen a bear at Tough Campground. However they all the time camp in a trailer particularly as a result of it’s safer from wildlife.
“I do know it isn’t 100%,” mentioned Michelle, the mom. “However it’s no less than a bit higher.”
Staying Bear Secure Throughout Bear Season
Tough Campground was not delicate about its bear security signage once I visited. Two huge whiteboards greeted visitors as they entered, warning concerning the tent ban and the presence of bears. These have since been eliminated.
The payment station has a big signal about one of the best bear security practices. Each campsite has bear-resistant storage lockers for meals and indicators zip-tied to the tables with much more bear security info.
“The bottom line is protecting bears from getting a meals reward from people,” Boyd mentioned. “We don’t want them to be taught {that a} campground is an efficient place to seek out meals.”
The Tough Campground host mentioned it goes past what we take into account “meals,” too. Rubbish, shampoo, conditioner, make-up, physique spray, cleaning soap, toothpaste, or the rest that smells edible to a bear must be securely saved at evening, both in a bear storage locker, a bear-resistant container, your camper, or a locked automobile.
“Maintaining bears from getting your meals retains you protected, retains your neighboring campers and the campers who comply with you protected, and helps preserve the bears protected,” Deputy District Ranger Schuller mentioned.
