A warmer than normal winter might not only mean earlier bear sightings for Issaquah and Sammamish residents, but also hefty fines.
Two new state laws went into effect last summer prohibiting people from leaving food or waste in places where it can attract bears and other wild carnivores. Intentional feeding can lead to a fine of $1,000, or feeding that is unintentional, or deemed “negligent,” will result in an $87 fine from the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.
Rich Beausoleil, bear and cougar specialist for the WDFW, said field staff have already received reports of black bear activity in Issaquah, North Bend and Chelan County.
“Black bears usually emerge from their dens in mid-to-late April, but warm weather can cause them to stir earlier,” he said. “Whatever the timing, black bears are hungry when they emerge from their dens, because they lose up to half their body weight during hibernation.”
Beausoleil said that it’s not the WDFW’s goal to go around and nab people for negligent offenses like leaving their garbage cans out overnight. He said people will be given sufficient warning and up to 48 hours to solve the problem before facing the $87 fine.
“It’s just another tool in the box, but we don’t want to use this as a hammer,” Beausoleil said, noting that other states have similar laws that are very effective.
He said if someone continues to ignore warnings or is spotted intentionally feeding bears they will face the $1,000 fine. Because natural foods are very scarce this time of year, Beausoleil recommends people secure garbage cans, remove backyard bird seed and not leave pet food outdoors.
“If people would control these three bear attractants, the number of bear-human conflicts would be reduced significantly,” he said.Last year, WDFW officials responded to 444 situations statewide involving bears. They ranged from raids on garbage cans and bird feeders to confrontations with pets. In 2011, WDFW responded to 523 incidents involving black bears.
“Bears are naturally wary of humans, but they can overcome that fear when they are rewarded with food provided intentionally or unintentionally by people,” Beausoleil said. “Situations involving bears that have learned to associate food sources with people often end badly for the bear.”
Human conflicts with bears tend to subside by mid-summer, when berries and other natural foods become available, and then pick up again in fall before the animals enter their dens.
Beausoleil said the hot spots for bear sitings in the area are in the Issaquah Highlands and Mirrormont neighborhoods. They are also frequently spotted in Sammamish.
