Black bear activity has increased dramatically in much of the western U.S. this year, with Utah seeing double the reports from 2025.  The state Division of Wildlife Resources said in a news release that it has responded to 168 bear issues as of Aug. 25, compared to 83 responses all of last year . In May of this year, a bear migrated into Park City and had to be relocated. The same bear was just found in a Provo community. Earlier this week, a bear cub, separated from its mother in Mount Pleasant, was euthanized. The Division of Wildlife Resources said the increased activity is due largely to weather conditions like late freezes, warm spring temperatures and severe heat and drought.  Black bears, the only species in Utah, primarily eat plants, berries and acorns, which were impacted by the summer weather. Bears are searching for other food sources, leading them into areas with higher human populations, now that their natural diets have been limited. “This time of year bears are trying to build fat reserves and are consuming as many calories as possible,” said Michael Packer, a conservation outreach manager with the Division of Wildlife Resources. “A shortage of a natural food supply and a need to put on fat increases the likelihood of bear-human conflicts.” In residential areas across the Wasatch Back, unsecured trash cans are the biggest risk for bear activity. “Bears frequently target garbage cans left on the curb the night before pickup. Putting cans out the morning of trash pickup and securing them once emptied helps prevent human-bear conflicts in communities like Park City and Summit Park,” Packer said. Pet food, bird feeders and fruit trees can even attract bears out of their habitat into residential areas.  Although black bears are leaving their habitats more than usual this year, they’re mostly found in canyons and mountains above 7,000 feet in elevation, including the Wasatch and Uinta mountains.  Packer said people should still go out to enjoy camping and hiking, but they should take necessary precautions. Watching for fresh tracks and scat can indicate nearby bears, but it’s best to remain careful in bear country even when these signs aren’t visible. “This year especially we recommend carrying bear spray, staying in groups, and properly securing food, trash and scented items,” Packer said. Other safety tips include never feeding a bear, no matter how cute it might be, keeping campsites clean and bear-proofed, and telling rangers immediately if a bear enters a campsite. State wildlife officials advised being aware of bear behavior, too.  If a black bear gets close, stand your ground, they said. Don’t try to run away or climb a tree. Instead of playing dead, remain calm and wait for the bear to leave. When a black bear stands up or growls, that’s not aggression, just the bear showing interest and curiosity. If the bear does attack, use bear spray and always fight back.  “Never give up,” officials said. “People have successfully defended themselves with almost anything: rocks, sticks, backpacks, water bottles and even their hands and feet.” Chad Wilson, game and mammals coordinator for the Division of Wildlife Resources, also addressed the general risks of black bear encounters. “Even though they’re incredibly strong and surprisingly fast, black bears will typically do everything they can to avoid people,” Wilson said. “When a bear finds food, though, that can all change. A bear may become aggressive toward animals or people it perceives as threatening the area where it found the food.”  Black bears often return to areas where they found food, and if this happens, officials have to relocate the bears to keep animals and people safe.  Sometimes, if the bear becomes violent and relocation isn’t a solution, officials have to turn to euthanization.  “We got into the wildlife profession because we love wildlife,” Wilson said. “We enjoy managing and protecting animals so Utahns can get outdoors and enjoy them. Having to euthanize an animal — because someone didn’t do something as simple as keeping their campsite clean and storing food in a secure area — is tough. Please don’t put us in that situation.” For information about black bear safety, visit wildawareutah.org. The post Black bear activity in Utah expected to increase further this fall appeared first on Park Record. ...read more read less