Summit Daily readers this week shared photos of moose and bears near their properties and expressed concern that interactions between humans and these animals could be dangerous for both parties.

Rachael Gonzales, a spokesperson for Colorado Parks and Wildlife’s northwest region, shared tips for avoiding wildlife conflicts. 

“It’s important to remember that bears and moose call Summit County home,” Gonzales wrote in an email. “It’s not uncommon to see one or both traveling through your community or your home.”

Bears have senses of smell 100 times more sensitive than humans and can smell food 5 miles away, Gonzales wrote. Things like gum wrappers and lip balm can attract them, and with how smart they are, if they do something like knock over a trash can or enter an unlocked window and find food or trash once, it becomes a learned behavior they will likely try again.

Humans can do things to prevent conflict with bears, according to Gonzales. Residents should secure food, garbage and recycling, which means waiting to put your trash on the curb until the morning of pickup. They should also use bear-resistant cans and keep doors and windows that bears could access closed and locked.

“As a reminder, a bear can climb a tree, so don’t forget those upper-level windows and doors, too,” Gonzales wrote.

People can also remove bird feeders when bears are active, never leave pet food outside, clean and store grills and smokers and never feed or approach bears.

As for moose, females give birth this time of year and will hide their young to protect them. If someone finds a calf, the mother will be nearby, and they should leave the area immediately.

“If you know there’s a cow and calf in the area or see signs warning about an aggressive animal, it’s recommended to find another place to spend time outdoors,” Gonzales wrote.

Gonzales emphasized that dogs should stay leashed, as off-leash dogs can be injured or killed by animals like moose that might perceive them as a predator. Moose often try to stomp dogs when they come into conflict, and dogs sometimes run back to their owners, putting them in danger, too.

Laid-back ears, raised hair on the neck or snout licking could be signs of an aggressive moose, and people who see one should run away as fast as they can, putting a large object like a car, boulder or trees between them and the animal, Gonzales wrote.

Feeding wildlife is illegal, Gonzales wrote, and can be harmful to the animal’s health because they have digestive systems not adapted for human food.

“When people intentionally place or distribute food that does not naturally occur in the animal’s habitat, such as carrots, birdseed, hay, or salt blocks, it can lead to illness or death,” Gonzales wrote.