CINNAMON CREEK – As many as three black bears have been reported east of Porcupine Reservoir in the Cinnamon Creek Campground area recently.
Utah Division of Wildlife Resources officials said Monday the campground is currently closed to the public.
Cinnamon Creek Campground is owned by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
“On the evening of Aug. 6, we received a report of a bear in the Cinnamon Creek campground by Porcupine Reservoir,” DWR spokeswoman Faith Jolley said. “The report stated a bear came into the campground while a family was cooking dinner around 7 p.m. The family jumped in their car. The bear didn’t leave until they started honking the car’s horn.”
DWR biologists responded to the area on the evening of Aug. 6. They installed a dumpster trap and two trail cameras to try to catch the bear.
“They checked back on the morning of Aug. 7. There were fresh bear tracks near both dumpsters in the campground, but the trap had not been touched and nothing was spotted on the cameras,” she said. “The biologists then installed two additional cameras near the trap.”
On the next evening, Aug. 7, a bear came into the campground again. The bear managed to avoid being trapped. And a bear came into the campground, again, around 6:45 a.m. on Aug. 8, but left on its own.
“Our biologists continued to monitor the campground, but no bears were spotted again there since Aug. 8,” Jolley said. ”Our biologists believe it may have been as many as three bears visiting this area, but don’t have confirmation on the total number.”
DWR would like to remind campers that it is crucial for campers to keep their campsites clean to avoid attracting a bear, which can create a dangerous situation for both the bear and people who visit the area.
Signs are being placed to remind Utahns to store their food and keep their campsites clean.
Here are a few simple tips to keep both you and the bears safe while you are out recreating in bear country — which includes all of Utah except the West Desert:
Bear-proof your food and supplies
Store your food, snacks and scented items (such as deodorant and toothpaste) in an area where a bear can’t get to them. Do not leave them out on tables or keep them in your tent. Storing them in a locked trailer or locking them in the trunk of your car are both good options. Storing food and scented items in these areas will reduce the chance a bear smells them. And, if a bear does make its way to the area where you’re staying, if it isn’t rewarded with food, it will likely move on.
Keep your cooking area clean
After you’ve finished eating, thoroughly clean utensils and anything else that was used to prepare or eat the food. Don’t dump oil or grease from pots or pans onto the ground. Instead, put the oil or grease in a container, and take it home with you. By keeping your campsite’s cooking and eating areas clean, you reduce the chance that a bear will smell food and trash, and be lured to your camp.
Keep your campsite clean
Don’t leave food scraps and other trash scattered around your campsite or cabin area. Instead, put them in trash bags and take them home with you. Make sure to wipe down picnic tables and keep the area free of food and other debris. Always keep your campsite or cabin area clean because a dirty campsite can attract bears long after you’ve left.
You can find more bear safety tips on the Wild Aware Utah website.