Wildlife

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Breckenridge is home to many species of native wildlife. Fox with kits As the population in Summit County continues to grow, wildlife encounters will increase. In most situations, people and wildlife can coexist. Most wild animals are harmless if left alone. The key is to respect the wildness of wildlife. "Wildlife" is just that—wild. Most dangerous and potentially harmful encounters occur because people fail to leave the animals alone. Wildlife should not be harassed, captured, domesticated or fed. Intentional or inadvertent feeding is a major cause of most wildlife problems.

Feeding wildlife is strictly prohibited. Providing food for wildlife encourages animals to come into town where they figure they now have a reliable and easy to gain source of food. Animals that have this habit have become desensitized to human contact, putting them and us in harm's way. Bears are tagged upon contact and if seen repeatedly in populated areas, these animals have to be put down (euthanized) as they have become a danger to people. In addition, foxes and coyotes that have been fed are no longer wary of populated areas and will potentially approach residents and their pets making it more likely that a dangerous confrontation will occur.

As Summit County residents, we are fortunate to have such a rich diversity of wildlife in our backyard. Please do not put these animals in harms way by feeding them or leaving trash out.

Community Service Officers do not trap, kill or relocate nuisance wildlife, but will assist with wildlife issues if possible.

Learn more about Living with Wildlife from the Colorado Parks and Wildlife.

Bears

Living with Bears

Black bears are curious, smart and very adaptable. They’re not fussy and will eat just about anything with calories. Bears want to get the most energy they can with the least amount of effort. Every bear’s goal is to get fat enough to live through the winter.

Most conflicts between people and bears can be traced to easy-to-get-at human food, garbage, pet food, bird seed or other attractants. When people allow bears to find food, 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 must often be destroyed. Please don’t let bears die needlessly. Do your part to bear-proof your home and property, and help keep bears alive and wild. Every time the Department of Wildlife is forced to destroy a bear, it’s not just the bear that loses. We all lose a little piece of the wildness that makes Summit County so special.

How You Can Help

Secure your trash.
Remove birdfeeders.
Keep BBQs clean.
Keep pet food indoors.
Keep garage doors closed.
Secure windows and doors.
Don’t leave food or trash inside your vehicle.

Garbage Kills Bears

The Town’s trash ordinance is intended to protect people and animals. When wildlife has access to trash, it brings them closer to our homes, creating a potentially dangerous situation for animals and people. Failure to abide by the following guidelines could result a mandatory court appearance.

Garbage can only be placed at curbside for same day pickup between the hours of 6am-10pm.
Garbage can only be placed outside for pick up if it is fully contained in an appropriate receptacle. The lid of the container must be securely attached, leaving no gaps between the container and lid.
All households are required to store garbage cans inside a home, garage, building, or shed, unless their garbage can is equipped with some type of latching mechanism that will hold the lid securely to the can.

View the complete ordinance and open ordinance 5-2-2 Garbage Receptacles.

Bird Feeders Kill Bears

Studies show that a big meal of nutritious bird seeds — a natural food for bears — is often the first reward a bear gets for exploring human places. Letting your bird feeders turn into bear feeders teaches bears that it’s safe to come close to people and homes looking for food. Unfortunately, this can be a deadly lesson for a bear.

We recommend not feeding birds during the months when bears are active. Instead of bird feeders, use water features, plantings, nest boxes and flowers to attract birds.

Stay Safe

Black bears are highly intelligent, with individual responses to people and situations. Wild black bears seldom attack unless they feel threatened, cornered, or are provoked.

If You Surprise a Bear on a Trail

Stand still, stay calm and let the bear identify you and leave. Talk in a normal tone of voice. Be sure the bear has an escape route.
Never run or climb a tree.
If you see cubs, their mother is usually close by. Leave the area immediately.

If the Bear Doesn’t Leave

A bear standing up is just trying to identify what you are by getting a better look and smell.
Wave your arms slowly overhead and talk calmly. If the bear huffs, pops it jaws or stomps a paw, it wants you to give it space.
Step off the trail to the downhill side, keep looking at the bear and slowly back away until the bear is out of sight.

If the Bear Approaches

A bear knowingly approaching a person could be a food-conditioned bear looking for a handout or, very rarely, an aggressive bear. Stand your ground.
Yell or throw small rocks in the direction of the bear.
Get out your bear spray and use it when the bear is about 40 feet away.
If you’re attacked, don’t play dead. Fight back with anything available. People have successfully defended themselves with pen knives, trekking poles, and even bare hands.

More Information

Learn more about living with bears from the Colorado Parks and Wildlife.

Coyotes

Living with Coyotes

Coyote howling The coyote is an intelligent predator that has adapted to living in close proximity to humans. They have adjusted to their shrinking habitat by living closer to humans in residential areas. Coyotes are prevalent in Summit County because populated areas directly and indirectly provide them with sufficient food, water, and shelter.

Although the coyote is an excellent hunter, feeding primarily on rats, mice, ground squirrels, rabbits, insects, and fruit, they will not hesitate to kill domestic animals such as cats and small dogs if given the opportunity. Coyotes have learned that domestic animals are easier to catch than wild prey and will prowl residential neighborhoods in search of unattended domestic animals.

House pets can be protected by limiting their time outdoors, concentrating their outdoor activity to fenced areas under direct supervision, and being put on a lead or leash when on a trail or anywhere outdoors that is not private property. In addition, homeowners should eliminate other sources of attraction to coyotes including pet food left outdoors, table scraps, and compost piles. Homeowners should be aware that coyotes are capable of climbing 8' fences or digging under them.

Nuisance coyotes can be harassed (known as hazing) with loud noises or spray from a garden hose to encourage them to avoid certain properties. View more detailed information about hazing.

Staying Safe

If a Coyote Approaches You

Do not run or turn your back
Be as big and loud as possible
Wave your arms and throw objects
Face the coyote and back away slowly
If attacked, fight back

Protect Your Pets

Keep pets on a short leash
Use extra caution dusk through dawn
Avoid known or potential den sites and thick vegetation
Do not allow dogs to interact with coyote
Be Prepared!

If You Have Concerns About an Encounter with a Coyote

Recreate during daylight hours
Walk with a walking stick
Keep a deterrent spray handy
Carry noise makers or rocks to throw

More Information

Learn more about living with coyotes from the Colorado Parks and Wildlife.

Moose

Living with Moose

Moose in Cucumber Gulch The state's moose population has grown tremendously in the last 30 years. Prior to 1980 there were only occasional sightings of moose that wandered into Colorado from Wyoming and Utah. Beginning in 1978 the Colorado Parks and Wildlife began efforts to introduce moose into Colorado. The program has been a success as the moose population is now approaching 2,000. The growth is partly because the moose has no natural predators in Colorado such as grizzly bears and wolves.

The increase in moose population results in an increase in human encounters with moose. Moose do not fear humans as much as most other big game species. Moose tolerate a nearby human longer and at closer distances. They are curious and will often approach humans or houses. For these reasons, it is extremely important to understand moose behavior when living in or visiting the areas they inhabit.

Signs of aggression include the hair standing up on their neck, licking their snouts, cocking their head, rolling their eyes and ears back.

Staying Safe

NEVER approach moose too closely. Watch and photograph from safe distances using telephoto lenses, binoculars and spotting scopes. Remain at least 50 feet away.
NEVER get between a cow and a calf.
NEVER throw anything including snowballs at a moose.
ALWAYS keep dogs under control or leave them at home (A dog may chase after a moose and suddenly find the moose chasing it. Naturally, the dog runs back to its owner bringing the moose along with it).
AVOID moose that are in a fenced area or between houses; they may feel cornered.
If the moose knows you're there, talk to it softly and move away slowly.
Don't be aggressive - you want to convince the moose that you aren't a threat.

If a moose charges

Try to get behind a tree or something solid. You can run around the tree better than it can.
Unlike with bears, it's usually a good idea to run from a moose because they won't chase you very far.
Raise your hands over your head and spread out your fingers. Hold your arms still, don't wave them. Sometimes the moose will think that you are another animal bigger than he is.
If it knocks you down, a moose may continue running or start stomping and kicking with all four feet. Curl up in a ball, protect your head with your hands, and hold still. Don't move or try to get up until the moose moves a safe distance away or it may renew its attack.

More Information

Learn more about living with moose from the Colorado Parks and Wildlife.

Mountain Lions

Living with Mountain Lions

Mountain LionThe mountain lion is called by many names: puma, cougar, panther, mountain cat, catamount, or just lion. It has a large range extending from the Canadian Yukon to the southern Andes of South America. The mountain lion is the second largest cat in North America after the Jaguar and the largest in Colorado. While mountain lions are populous in foothills, canyons or mesa country, they will live any place there is adequate cover and ample prey. Summit County provides both.

In Colorado, population estimates range from 3,000 to 7,000 mountain lions. This simple fact is a surprise to many residents and visitors because sightings are rare. Most people will never encounter a mountain lion. Lion attacks on people are rare, with fewer than a dozen fatalities in North America in more than 100 years. They are primarily nocturnal and feed on deer, elk, moose, and bighorn sheep.

Staying Safe

If you encounter a mountain lion

Stay Calm when you come upon a lion. Talk calmly yet firmly to it and make enough eye contact so that it knows you have seen it. Slowly back away. Most lions will run away, but sometimes they stay and you need to completely leave the area.
Stop or back away slowly, if you can do it safely. Running may stimulate a lion’s instinct to chase and attack. Face the lion and stand upright.
Do all you can to appear larger. Raise your arms. Position yourself to appear bigger by getting up on a stump or a rock. Open your jacket if you’re wearing one. Stay upright and facing the lion.