Colorado Parks and Wildlife is warning the public to be aware of encounters with bears while participating in outdoor activities such as hiking and camping.

With warmer weather months ahead, CPW reminds Colorado residents and visitors to watch out for bears in recreation areas throughout the state.

“Bears are incredibly smart animals, and are more likely than not to just leave the area when they hear humans nearby,” J Wenum, Area Wildlife Manager for CPW in Gunnison said in a news release. “However, if a bear is accidentally cornered or surprised, or has lost their normal fear of humans, it may react differently.”

A bear takes in the sights and smells at a campsite. Colorado Parks and Wildlife is warning residents and visitors using recreation areas to be aware of bears and the agency has tips to minimize bear-human encounters. (Colorado Parks and Wildlife).

The agency wants residents and visitors to understand how to avoid an encounter with a bear before it develops, though these instances are rare, according to the release.

Humans and bears interact when the animals become too comfortable around people, often because of access to an easy or reliable food source.

Here are tips to minimize a bear’s access to food:

When camping, store food, beverages and toiletries in airtight containers. Bears are attracted by smells. Double bag trash and store it in a vehicle or use bear-proof containers when backpacking.

Scrape grill grates after use, clean dishes and utensils and clean up any waste near your campsite.

Don’t bring any item that smells like food – including sunscreen, clothing or toiletries – into your tent at night.

If you see a bear at your campsite, CPW recommends scaring it away with a loud noise such as banging on pots and pans, yelling, blowing a car horn or an air horn.

A bear taking advantage of food and items left on a picnic table. (Source: Laura Kali, Flickr).

CPW also has tips for hikers to help them avoid encounters with bears:

Be aware of your surroundings. Stay alert. Don’t use headphones or ear plugs while out in the woods.

Hike with friends. Conversation and extra noise will alert bears to your presence and they will likely retreat.

Never feed a bear or approach a bear for any reason. Pack up all waste such as banana peels or apple cores; these are not “natural treats” for bears.

If you’ve followed all of these steps and still have an encounter with a bear:

Don’t panic. Remain calm. Stand still and speak to the animal in a firm tone of voice. Never run from a bear.

If the bear does not retreat, slowly wave your arms over your head to make yourself appear big and continue talking to encourage the bear’s exit. If the bear huffs, that is a sign it needs space. In that case, slowly back away while facing the bear and continue moving slowly until the bear is out of sight.

If the bear approaches you, stand your ground. Yell or throw small rocks in the bear’s direction. Use bear spray if it gets within 40 feet. If it attacks, fight back with any available tool or item such as a trekking pole, small knife or even your bare hands.

– AnneDelaney covers high school and recreational sports for The Greeley Tribune.Contact Anne at adelaney@greeleytribune.com, (970) 392-5647 or on Twitter@AnneGDelaney.