Bear Encounters

We asked Sgt. Roland Pickard from the Pinetop-Lakeside Police Volunteer Force the following.

Q: What would you do if you came across a bear?

Slowly back away. No sudden movements. Don’t turn your back on the bear. Go to a safe place — a neighbor, inside your house, or a vehicle.

Q: What if the bear comes toward you?

If you confront or get close enough to a bear, especially if it has a cub, it can become aggressive. Pick up any object you can find, like rocks, and start pelting the bear. Make yourself bigger. Put your arms up, wave them, scream, and be loud. Never turn your back on it because it will charge you once you do. Try not to make eye contact with it. Look down. If you have any food, throw the food at him/her and back away. Let it have it.

Q: What if you have children with you?

Hope for the best. Train the children. My suggestion is that after dark, the critters come out. They will roam the area. I would not be walking after dark.

Q: Should you report the bear after an encounter?

You should report the bear to Game and Fish. They may document it, and if that same bear comes again to the area, they will try to do something about it. They may try to trap it and relocate it.

Q: Do we have wolves in the area?

Mexican gray wolves have been introduced in the White Mountains, and they are mainly on the Indian Reservation. They have not been spotted in our area.

Be cognizant of your surroundings. Don’t be complacent. If they are out there, they are watching you. You can’t see them, but they can see you.

Q: Do you back away from them (wolves) the same as you would a bear?

Yes.

Q: Usually, won’t they try to avoid you?

Well, even the bears try to stay away from humans. But, if you get close, in their territory, then… They will stay with their pack. They are on the reservation, a lot of them in Alpine.

Q: What if you’re hiking?

They will shy away from you. But if you’re in their territory, or if they’re feeding and you come upon them, back away. I tell everyone to use common sense. I was chased by a bear in Alaska with someone with me. We started pelting the bear with rocks. He didn’t want any of that, so he stopped, turned around, and took off.

If you have little animals and you’re out at night — if they are there, they are watching you. That’s a meal for them. It’s best not to go outside after dark.