FOLLOW FEW SIMPLE RULES; MAKE IT HARDER FOR LAZY BEARS.

Byline: Keith Lair Staff Writer

Doug and Kandice Klassen have a souvenir of their summer vacation with a bear: a Thermos with claw and bite marks.

The Ontario family took its annual trip to Lake Hume, located between the Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, two weeks ago. Doug heard a noise in his cabin. A brown bear was searching for a snack.

``I looked in the window and he was about (two feet) away,'' Klassen recalled. ``I was surprised. But not really shocked. It was right there.''

Western Sierra backcountry, especially at Yosemite and Sequoia, are renown for their troubling black bears, animals that would rather eat people food.

Although not as publicized, the problem is not just in the Western Sierra. The eastern side of the range has the same problem, according to Department of Fish and Game officials.

Of course, the San Gabriel Valley is not immune, either. Residents along the foothills frequently report bears rummaging through trash cans, chasing pets and eating residential fruit and vegetables. Angeles National Forest wildlife biologist Bill Brown said bears generally are not a problem away from foothill communities.

``There are more bears,'' DFG senior wildlife biologist Doug Updike said. ``Since the 1980s, there are significantly more. Plus, there are more people recreating in bear habitat. All it takes is one experience for a bear to find a candy bar or toothpaste and you have a problem.''

DFG officials estimate there are between 25,000 and 30,000 bears in California.

Bears can leave Yosemite in the morning and be scouting the Bishop area in the Eastern Sierra by the afternoon, said Karen Schmauss, the director of the Bishop Chamber of Commerce. Her organization has put together a pamphlet, ``Be Bear Aware,'' to educate visitors and residents.

``We've had our share of bears breaking into cars at trailheads,'' she said. ``We just want to educate people and show them what to do.''

Inyo National Forest ranger Jan Cutts said bear interaction has increased dramatically in the past two years.

``Access to human food is one reason bear encounters are on the rise,'' she said.

Food-storage requirements in Inyo wilderness areas became mandatory last year, and in some areas, canisters and panniers became required, whether people are hiking or stock-supported, through Oct. 31. Canisters on the Mount Whitney main trail have been required since 2000.

Campers used to be able to store food by the counter-balance method: hanging their food over a branch of a tree. But bears eventually figured out how to get the food, Cutts said.

``Problems begin when bears learn to associate an easy food supply with humans and developed areas,'' Updike said. ``Once this happens, the bear becomes habituated or conditioned to go after human food because it's easy.''

The prolonged drought also could be a problem, Updike said.

``If the drought limits their wild foods, like berries, acorns and high grasses, bears will expand their territory looking for food,'' he said. ``I expect people could see more bears, and there are more opportunities for bears to get into trouble.''

To avoid damage to cars, hikers and campers are asked to remove all food, trash and containers, including coolers (even empty ones). Bears also like lotions, including sunscreen.

Campers should keep camps clean at all times, cleaning up immediately after eating. Cooking utensils should be cleaned and wash water and waste should be properly disposed.

When encountering a bear, do not approach it or run from it.

Bears that do not return to wild food eventually are killed.

``That means the bear will have to pay the price for human mistakes,'' Updike said. ``And if humans don't clean up their act, the problem isn't solved and another bear will come along and take its place.''