A scratching and banging that makes you worry, or a great photo opportunity? It’s bear season again, the pro and con of mountain life. Everyone loves to see them in a field or yard at a safe distance, but not in the chicken coop or trash.

    According to the National Park Service website, bear activity depends on climate; they are increasingly active now because they are getting ready to hibernate. The increased activity can be a danger for everyone, or it can be fun and safe.

  “I don’t know if it was one bear or two bears, but they would constantly come and drag our trash can across our parking lot, trying to open it,” junior Alex Mackety said. “You’d wake up to hearing [the bears] dragging the trash can, the plastic on the pavement, and it’s ridiculous.”

   Bears are normally awake in the early morning and night. They have a short supply of food in some areas and are preparing to hibernate. This can lead to trouble. Like breaking into peoples cars for food.

    “We woke up to noises around 3 or 4 AM.The baby [had] climbed in the window, it was cracked open, to get the guacamole and then the mama shattered the window,” sophomore Taylor Cave said.

   In July, a teen in the mountains near Boulder County was asleep outside when a black bear dragged him out of his sleeping bag by the head. He luckily was able to pry himself free after being dragged about 12 yards and he is now in good health. Wildlife research scientist Dave Garshelis said that the attack was likely due to the bear being hungry. While some bear encounters have been dreadful in every sense, some Conifer students have had more positive experiences with them.

   “I was just driving and there was a bear there, so I was like, ‘Oh cool, it’s a bear,’” senior Skylar Matthews said. “I always like seeing bears. I haven’t seen a lot of them in my lifetime, even though I live up here, and I’ve always lived in the mountains. They’re actually my favorite animal, so I always get really excited.”

   Often times if they cause trouble it’s at night, but sometimes people come across them in the day. It’s important to appear big by waving arms and legs around and by making loud noises. If the bear hasn’t seen you, then back away calmly, avoiding sudden movements.