bear aware

Have you ever heard the expression "a fed bear is a dead bear?" The New Mexico Game & Fish Department has a policy to relocate bears twice when they've been caught foraging in trash cans or near homes. Bears caught a third time, or bears that exhibit aggressive behavior, are euthanized.

Not only is it illegal to feed a bear, once bears have become accustomed to eating human food or trash they become a nuisance and can become aggressive. By leaving out your garbage and bird feeders, or by baiting bears with food or trash, you are opening the door for that bear to be trapped and killed.

From New Mexico Game & Fish:

Tips for homeowners, campers, and hikers (PDF)

Facts about bears and what to do if you spot a bear (PDF)