How to Keep Bears Out of Your East Mountain Neighborhood This Summer

TIJERAS — Wildlife officials are urging residents in the East Mountain communities to exercise increased caution following a rise in black bear sightings in residential neighborhoods throughout the Sandia and Manzano mountain ranges.

The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish (NMDGF) reported that dry conditions and shifting seasonal food supplies have drawn bears down from higher elevations in search of easy meals, leading to frequent encounters in areas such as Tijeras, Edgewood, and Cedar Crest. According to NMDGF spokesperson Darren Vaughan, wildlife officers frequently monitor these movements as bears occasionally push out of the mountains and into surrounding metro and foothill areas in search of resources.

Wildlife biologists note that black bears possess an exceptionally keen sense of smell, allowing them to detect potential food sources from miles away. When natural forage like berries, acorns, and piñon nuts becomes scarce, the animals are instinctively drawn to high-calorie attractants found around human households.

To prevent bears from frequenting residential areas and to ensure community safety, state wildlife officials and municipal coexistence guidelines recommend the following neighborhood precautions:

• Secure All Trash: Keep household garbage inside a secured garage or sturdy shed until the morning of scheduled pickup. Standard plastic trash cans are easily breached by foraging bears.
• Remove Bird Feeders: Suspend the use of bird seed and hummingbird feeders during peak periods of bear activity. Seeds, grains, and sugar water represent high-calorie targets that draw bears directly to porches and decks.
• Clean Outdoor Grills: Thoroughly clean barbecue grills and grease traps after every use, or store them inside a secure enclosure to eliminate lingering food odors.
• Feed Pets Indoors: Avoid leaving pet food or water bowls outside overnight. Store bulk pet food and livestock feed in airtight, animal-proof containers.
• Clear Fallen Fruit: Promptly harvest fruit trees and clear any fallen fruit or rotting vegetation from yards and gardens.

State conservation officers emphasize that a bear that becomes habituated to human food sources loses its natural fear of people, often creating public safety hazards. Residents who encounter a bear near their home are advised to remain at a safe distance, bring pets inside immediately, and make loud noises from the safety of a doorway to teach the animals they are not welcome.

According to NMDGF safety protocols, residents do not need to report standard, non-threatening bear sightings, as the animals are native to the local mountain ecosystem. However, aggressive behavior or attempts by a bear to enter a home should be reported immediately to wildlife officials at 505-222-4700.