I work in a wilderness area full of bears. One of my favorite things to do on my free time is photography.

Anyone that spends time taking photos of animals knows, you end up with a lot of shots of their backside.

I make an annual calendar of Bare Bear Butts every year with some of my best/funniest/favorite butt shots from the previous year.

Checking my trail camera where I'd put out some corn for the deer, this beauty appeared on my camera reel fifteen minutes before I got there. From browsing my memory card they'd been here all afternoon scaring away bluejays.

Hi gang. City girl here, now living in the country. Not sure if I should be doing something different than I am, please advise!

We’ve always known there are bears in our neighborhood, and take basic precautions like not leaving food or garbage out.

I never saw them within several miles of our property until last week. But now I am frequently seeing a mama and two cubs strolling by. My neighbor thinks it’s two sets.

I’m specifically worried because I work late night nights and spend a lot of time outside around 3 AM (hot tub). Previously, I would bring my brown lab out with me, figuring he would scare a hypothetical stray (black) bear off.

Last night though, (I wasn’t outside), they came into my fenced yard. Something (probably the dog barking from inside, he went off!) must’ve scared them because they decimated my fence on exit.

Upon investigation there is a TON of excrement in my yard. So they’re definitely out there regularly.

What should I be doing other than being sure to eliminate food sources? Should I report property destruction to DNR? Do you think it will be safe to continue having myself and my dog outside at night after confirming there are no bear trapped inside the fence? Will the dog likely keep them out if he’s there before they are? I’m worried for his safety. I know that black bear tend to be pretty big scardy cats, so I was never really concerned with their presence, but the presence of cubs makes me nervous!

Do I need to worry about them getting in the house or hot tub or other behaviors I haven’t even conceived of?

I’m guessing fall is high activity for them and things will return to normal soonish…

Please educate this city girl! How do I keep everyone (bears included, I’d absolutely hate for them to be put down as a nuisance) safe?

Farbear week starts tomorrow, just a reminder to vote 🐻

I just saw the announcement that the fat bear week bracket will be postponed until tomorrow due to a bear death at the falls. Do we know who it was?