This Halloween, Don’t Invite Bears to Trick-or-Treat
Our ability to live with bears was definitely challenged this summer and will be this fall as their food supply has taken a huge hit following the weather extremes of 2026. High temperatures this spring followed by a hard freeze was devastating for fruit orchards in northern Utah and beyond. It had the same effect on fruit and berry production in the wild; critical food sources for bears needing to put on weight in preparation for their winter hibernation.
As bear populations and sightings continue to increase in Utah communities—from Salt Lake County to Grand County and the Moab area—bears are increasingly venturing into developed areas in search of food. Their exceptional sense of smell can lead them into neighborhoods and communities when they detect accessible food sources, creating more frequent opportunities for conflict between bears and people.
Efforts to trap, tranquilize and move bears this summer was largely ineffective since the food shortage was region-wide. The cycle of getting rewarded, losing their fear of people, threatening people and ultimately getting euthanized for the public’s safety is unfortunate, but the only remaining viable and humane option for DWR employees. It’s been a tough year for bears. It’s also been rough on the people who have had to put them down.
As winter approaches, bears will continue searching for food to build up their energy reserves before hibernation. During this time, changing how we live around bears can help protect them. We can greatly reduce conflicts by making sure bears don’t have access to human food.
Simple steps like displaying pumpkins in your windows instead of on your front porch, securing food and coolers at campsites, cleaning up food scraps, and waiting until the morning of pickup to put trash cans at the curb—can make a big difference.
Living with bears means keeping them wild. Their safety and the safety of people living near bear habitat depends on it.
John Fairchild, Vice Chair
