Increase in bear complaints prompts hot line

RENO -- Got a bear problem? Northern Nevadans now can turn for help to a new BEAR hot line.

Nevada Department of Wildlife officials said they decided to establish the hot line after they dealt with a record number of bear complaints last year in the Reno-Lake Tahoe area.

The hot line is wired directly into the agency's dispatch center in Reno.

"The hot line is designed to be more responsive to bear problems," department Director Ken Mayer said.

"We will do our best to respond to calls, but keep in mind that biologists and wardens have other duties as well, such as deer surveys and poaching investigations," he said.

Residents who have simply sighted bears or had garbage cans tipped over by bears are being asked to refer to the agency's Web site (www.ndow.org) for advice on reducing bear problems.

Last year, department personnel handled 1,531 bear complaints compared with 350 in 2006.

Many of the complaints dealt with bears that visited neighborhoods in search of food after a drought drastically reduced their natural food sources.

In line with other Western states, the department does not usually set bear traps unless the human-caused attractant has been removed and other precautions have been taken.

Calls can be made to (775) 688-BEAR between 6 a.m. and 11 p.m.