Bears in the SJ Wilderness

[hiiker]

I've been in the SJ Wilderness numerous times and I've never seen a bear or any evidence of one. I did find a forum post from around 1997 about evidence that bears had established themselves in the wilderness.

Everytime I've been in the San Gorgonio Wilderness I've seen a bear. Even saw a fellow backpacker loose his pack to a bear one time. Never had any problems myself.

A few weeks ago while climbing Mt. San Jacinto I left my pack unattended for only a short moment but soon realized that was a mistake considering what I've witnessed in the wilderness to the north. After putting my pack back on and continuing up I thought about it a little more and wondered where are all the bears in the SJ wilderness?

Not that I'm wanting to see any bears, I'm just curious.

Thoughts, comments, etc?

Hiiker

[Nick-SJM]

I've asked this question to a number of people who should know (Calif. Fish and Game, Forest Service, U.C. Riverside James Reserve manager). The Black Bears were introduced into the San Bernardino Mountains in the 1930s. There use to be Grizzly Bears in the San Jacinto's, but they were all killed off by the end of the 1800s. There have not been known to be any breeding Black bears in the San Jacintos. Now and then a Black Bear comes south across (actually "below" in animal migration corridors) the 10 freeeway. They tend to either end up around Palm Springs or Idyllwild. The natural food in the San Jacintos just doesn't seem to provide the meal they want. They end up being pests around the dumpsters. They are then taken back to the San Bernardinos. There is a rumor that the State has tried to establish bears in the San Jacintos but I was not able to get anyone with California Fish and Game to admit it. My guess is it didn't happen.

[Ulysses]

I hike in the San Jacintos several times a week. All over the mountain. When I camp I always keep my food in my pack right next to where I sleep. Never seen a bear or any evidence. Last year I did run into a kid climbing a tree to hang his food. He said the rangers at SBNF office in Idyllwild told him there are bears. IMO the only thing more scarce than a bear in the San Jacinto Wilderness are the people who work in the SBNF office. Never see any of them out of the office.

[Ulysses]

Just wait. Next time I go camping in the San Jacintos some bear will wander up from Whitewater, find my camp, and steal my food. Serves me right for flunking out of the Boy Scouts.

[Andy]

I've heard basically the same story as Nick-SJM. If you search around you'll find random reportings of bears in the San Jacintos and even over in Cleveland NF around Palomar Mt. Though a sighting is different than a capture. I do know that a cub was found in the DeLuz area west of Temecula last year but no other signs of a mother or other bears. The thought at the time was that it was a an abandoned "pet" turned burden...people can be real idiots.

On another note, I recently read a book about the history of the Grizzly (Brown Bear) in California. A very interesting yet somewhat depressing tale about the demise of our state symbol from the time of discovery up until the early 20th century.

[kd]

The natural food in the San Jacintos just doesn't seem to provide the meal they want.


There is a real abundance of deer right now. Seems like there are very few predators.

[Pitownpi]

https://www.flickr.com/gp/pitownpi/W11Hg8

[Andy]

That's some fantastic history there, thanks for sharing Pi.

Like you mentioned, the early Californians would capture bears with a reata (lasso), then put them in a ring or town square with a bull, drawing big crowds and big bets. A real Ancient Rome "fight to the death" in California. Somehow I don't think that would go over too well these days.

[bluerail]

very, very cool, thanks for putting that up Pi. Love that local historical recording..it's the best by far.

[Ulysses]

Very cool indeed. Thanks for posting.