Bear, cubs spotted on Canfield Mountain

COEUR d’ALENE — A black bear encounter on Canfield Mountain this week has prompted the Forest Service to warn people to beware of bears at the popular recreation site.

A sow black bear with two cubs reportedly startled a mountain biker Thursday as he pedaled Canfield Mountain’s Cave Trail area, which climbs from the Nettleton Gulch parking lot just off 15th Street.

The encounter wasn’t physical, Forest Service spokesperson Shoshana Cooper said, but it was enough to prompt the Forest Service to warn hikers and bicyclists to beware of bear activity on the mountain that abuts Coeur d’Alene.

“The Coeur d’Alene River Ranger District has posted advisory signs to notify people that a bear is in the area,” Cooper said in a news release. “The district is closely monitoring the situation with Idaho Fish and Game, with a focus on balancing the needs of the bear with the recreation interest of our public.”

According to a witness, a black bear stood on its hind legs near a bicyclist, but the bear, its cubs and the biker went in opposite directions.

Cooper, also an avid biker, said she saw a sow with cubs in the same approximate area near Trail No. 4 more than a week ago.

“She’s been there a while,” she said.

Idaho Department Of Fish and Game spokesman Phil Cooper said the bear is likely hanging out in the area because of a nearby food source. Sows with cubs can be sketchy and if they are protecting a food source in addition to their youngsters, they can be easily agitated.

It’s best not to surprise a bear, Phil Cooper said. So, if you’re biking or hiking, make noise.

“That’s not easy on a mountain bike,” he said.

He recommended rounding bends slowly, and shouting or ringing a bell.

“Don’t go around corners really fast because there could be a bear there,” he said.

When bears stand on their hind legs they are usually trying to see, hear or smell something. They are not being aggressive.

He said the sow and cubs likely found a huckleberry patch and are sticking close to a low-elevation food source. The trio will likely move to a higher elevation in the Coeur d’Alene Mountains as berries and more food sources present themselves.

“Once berries start to ripen higher up, she’ll probably go up higher,” he said.

The Idaho Panhandle National Forests encourages visitors to the Canfield Trail system to be mindful that there is a bear in the area. Be sure to make plenty noise to notify the bear of your presence, carry bear spray, and keep dogs leashed, Phil Cooper said.