Elk use Elk Springs and surrounds as winter habitat. By respecting their need for a safe distance, we help them survive through the winter. They are herd animals. So if one feels threatened and runs, they all run. This depletes the fat reserves necessary to see them through the winter.

 

ELK GUIDELINES

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• Do not approach the elk for a better view or photograph - a 200-yard distance is recommended.

 

• If walking or biking closer than 200 yards to elk, please turn around.

 

• If driving by elk, please do not stop - continuing at a slow, constant speed is less likely to trigger a herd flight response.

 

• Loose dogs are the elk's biggest fear (they can tell when a dog is controlled) - please keep dogs under strict control everywhere and on a leash in Filing 9.

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BEAR GUIDELINES

 

Most conflicts between people and bears can be traced to human food, garbage, pet food, bird seed or other attractants. When people, intentionally or unintentionally, leave food out for bears to find, a bear’s natural drive to eat can overcome its wariness of humans. Bears that get too comfortable around people can destroy property or even become a threat to human safety. Habituated bears often must be killed.

 

• Do not approach bears for a better view or photograph - a 200-yard distance is recommended.

 

• Never allow pets to bark at, chase or harass bears.

 

• Strictly adhere to garbage guidelines - we have instances of 'trash bears' in the neighborhood that may be becoming food habituated

Thank you for respecting our wildlife