Stienstra on the Bears, Feb.16th,'14

   Outdoor writer can't get enough of Tahoe's bears.  This week's column highlights our local bruins and their impact on local residents.  Apparently, the bears have become accustomed to humans and human activity.   When locals encounter a bear nearby, which has occurred with some regularity, neither bear nor human over react.  Stienstra noted that some locals think it daring to give a bear a "love" tap on the bear butt.  Hmmmm?  How could this accident be prevented?   Now a black bear is not a grizzley; they are the more docile, less aggressive species.   An attack is quite rare, usually following a last ditch escape effort on the part of the animal.
      It's nice to know that we Tahomans have not had the same number of encounters recently as they have had in Incline Village, Nevada, and its surroundings.   Maybe they can learn from us: don't feed'em. don't chase 'em, don't encourage them with niceties(food).
    It has become academic that brown bears are not hibernating; they are roaming the 'hood, looking for food.   So, we must remain on alert when out an about, especially early morning and late afternoon.