By Shannon Lukens.

 

It is time to take a look around your property and see if there is anywhere that would make a good spot for den, where a bear would bed down for the winter. Christy Bubenheim is the president of Keep Bears Wild in Steamboat Springs.

“Anywhere that a bear could get underneath or in, so under decks or sheds or any outbuildings that have access to underneath. It seems that bears particularly like to choose a den under decks that have hot tubs on top because it’s a lot warmer in there.”

 

She says if you see a den-like space where a bear could hunker down for the winter, you’ll want to get it closed up now, before the snow starts to fall.

 

“It’s important now because you don’t want to wait until the snow is falling and the bear is starting to go under your deck to make its den. We need to make sure it’s sealed up now so they don’t have that opportunity. We need to be proactive rather than retroactive on this type of thing.”

 

Bears can pull off decorative lattice work, so consider an electric fence, or wood, brick or stone to use as a barrier.

 

Remove all food from campers and RVs and make sure they are locked up.

 

If a bear gets into a crawl space or under your deck, they could give birth, they could rip out wiring and pull down insulation, and do a lot of damage just to make themselves comfortable. Bears will also crawl through a pet door, if you have one.

 

Will Bears Find A Good Winter Den At Your Place?