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When I lived in the Shasta-Trinity National Forest, the warm days of summer would creep in, black berry bushes sprouted their fruit, and I would know to start keeping an eye open for fruit loving bears.

The bears on the mountain were not particularly paparazzi seeking critters. In the five years I lived in the forest, I saw a total of three black bears. Both sitings were at the black berry bushes. They would hear the sound of my car’s engine and dart across the road. They weren’t sticking around! I took to calling them jelly jigglers as their coats and muscles would jiggle as they ran for cover. I always felt honored to see the bears since the opportunities were so few.

Fun Bear Fact 1: Bears can run up to 40mph.

If you are heading out into the forest and are not a seasoned outdoors person, this article posted on the Pocket Ranger blog gives specific guidance on how to navigate encounters with different types of bears.

If you bring food into the woods, know that the bears most likely would enjoy your pic-a-nic basket just as much as Yogi Bear and Boo Boo. Please lock up your camp food in bear proof canisters and do not leave food or water in your car or tent. Here’s some helpful food storage tips.

Fun Bear Fact 2: Did you know that the rangers at Yellowstone National Park must re-engineer the latches on garbage bins every two years because the bears adapt and figure out how to open the latches?

Guest author: Lynny Young