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A homeowner in the upper Rattlesnake neighborhood shot and killed a cinnamon-phase black bear on his porch Thursday night.

Authorities said they suspect the bear had become habituated to human food, and warned that a second bear exhibiting similar behavior has been reported in the area.

As happens every spring in the Rattlesnake, "droves of bears" began coming into the valley about a week and a half ago after a winter of hibernation, said Jamie Jonkel, an FWP wildlife management specialist.

FWP recently reminded residents that they should take down bird feeders; keep garbage inside closed garages, secured sheds or bear-resistant trash cans; keep their pet food inside, clean up chicken and livestock feed and remove all odorous substances that can attract bears.

Nevertheless, FWP began receiving reports of that cinnamon-phase bear entering garages and tipping garbage cans in search of food. Several people tried to frighten it off, but it would come right up to their homes, leaning on their doors and slobbering, a behavior that indicates it has been fed by humans.

"Someone's been throwing hot dogs or slices of bread to this guy," Jonkel said.