Tensions grow between humans, bears in Southern California mountain community

Southern California’s Pine Mountain Club community is grappling with a difficult challenge as black bears awaken from their seasonal torpor, hungry for food and causing havoc among residents. The community in the San Emigdio Mountains, about 75 miles north of Los Angeles, has become the frontline of this escalating human-wildlife conflict. Bears with an odor detection sense several times more acute than humans have been reported to not only rummage through kitchen fridges, but also to inflict substantial property damage and leave behind defecating “calling cards.”

Patrice Stimpson, patrol chief of the community, paints a grim picture of the damages incurred, totalling hundreds of thousands of dollars. Last year, a residential fire broke out as a result of a bear’s unintended stove ignition. Vehicle destruction from inquisitive bears seeking food remnants has also been reported. The increase in bear interactions isn’t localized to Pine Mountain Club. California’s growing urbanization, worsening wildfires and droughts have pushed bears into human-dominated areas.

Despite the risks and reported damages, opinions among Pine Mountain Club residents differ on how to address the issue, from advocacy for peaceful coexistence to calls for bear removal. A notable concern is the illegal feeding of bears, which exacerbates the problem and is hotly debated within the community. Calls for wildlife assistance have surged to Stimpson’s office.

Amidst these challenges, James Weinstock openly talks about his affection for these creatures, feeding two local bears routinely, an act he believes harmonizes with natural coexistence and “pleases the Lord.” His views, however, clash with those of other residents and come with risks, as Weinstock recounts a dangerous personal encounter with a bear which resulted in several scars on his arm.

On the enforcement front, the California Department of Fish faces the multifaceted issue of unreported bear encounters due to misconceptions and potential impacts on tourism. The dilemma of how to manage recurring bear break-ins and safety concerns looms large for the department.

As spring unfolds, Pine Mountain Club braces itself for a bear season that shows no signs of abating.

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