COUNTY News:

When encountering a bear vs. a mountain lion, remember bears are typically omnivores that are curious and attracted to human food, while mountain lions are elusive ambush predators that are not interested in human food but may see smaller individuals as prey. 

If You Meet a BEAR, Stay Calm…

• NEVER RUN. Running can make a bear chase you.
• Keep your distance. Back slowly away facing the bear. Avoid direct eye contact.
• Slowly and calmly leave the area. Talk aloud so the bear will become aware of you.
• Be extra careful around a female with cubs. Never approach a cub.
• Never throw food to distract a bear. This teaches a bear to approach people for food.
• Fight back if attacked. Black bears have been driven away when people fight with rocks, sticks, binoculars, or even bare hands.
• Don’t litter. Please dispose of all litter in bear-proof trash cans when you are in bear habitat. Remove it from the area if trash cans are full. Your consideration could save a bear’s life!
• Report Sightings.

What to Do If You Meet a MOUNTAIN LION…

• Report a mountain lion sighting.
• Do not approach lions. Most mountain lions will try to avoid a confrontation.
• Give the lion a way to escape.
• Stay calm. Talk to it in a firm voice in an effort to demonstrate that you are human and not its regular prey.
• Back away slowly. Running may stimulate a lion’s instinct to chase and attack.
• Face the lion and make an effort to appear as large as possible. Open your jacket or lift objects to appear like a more formidable opponent.
• Pick up your children.
• If the lion behaves aggressively, throw rocks, sticks or whatever you can pick up, without turning your back to the lion or bending down.
• If the lion would happen to attack, fight back. Lions have been driven away by prey that fights back.
• Remain standing and keep attempting to get back up if you are brought to the ground.