With the state’s drought and scarce wildlife food resources, more and more wildlife are moving into

A Tempe man was injured this morning when a bear attacked him in his tent at Ponderosa Campground in the Tonto National Forest, just off Highway 260 about 12 miles northeast of Payson. The attack occurred at approximately 5 a.m.
The bear had entered the man's tent and attacked him. His fiance' and a one-year-old child were also in the tent and were able to escape unharmed and sound the alarm to other campers in the nearby area.
Reports indicate that another camper at a nearby campsite shot at the bear several times with a handgun at close range after the attack. The bear left the area, and it is unknown at this time if or how many times the bear was hit.
U.S. Forest Service personnel evacuated the campground this morning, and wildlife officers from the Arizona Game and Fish Department and personnel from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Wildlife Services are currently searching for the bear.
On June 21, a bear entered an unfinished cabin in the Thompson Draw II community near Tonto Village, about a mile from Ponderosa Campground, and bit a sleeping man on the leg. His injuries were non-life-threatening. After the incident, wildlife officers set culvert traps and searched for the bear. A yearling male bear was tracked in the area near Tonto Village and dispatched around 9 p.m. on Saturday, June 23. Game and Fish is holding the carcass for DNA and disease testing.
On May 31, a bear entered a tent at Ponderosa Campground and clawed a woman. Her injuries were non-life-threatening. Despite tracking avis car rental discount codes and trapping efforts by Game and Fish and Wildlife Services' personnel, that bear was never trapped. The U.S. Forest Service temporarily closed Ponderosa Campground after that incident and reopened it June 12.
"At this point there is no way of telling if the bear in this morning's attack was involved in either of the other two incidents," said Lucas. "We'll know more if we're able to remove the bear and do DNA and other testing."
With the state's drought avis car rental discount codes and scarce wildlife food resources, more and more wildlife are moving into areas that are on the fringe of wildlands, looking for food. Bears are particularly attracted to areas where humans are because of the often easy access to garbage, food and gardens.
It is important that outdoor recreationists be "bear aware." Secure all food sources, cooking gear and trash well away from camps and tents when recreating in bear areas. Bears are attracted avis car rental discount codes to areas with dumpsters, trash bins and campsites avis car rental discount codes with food.
Featured Contributors indianashogman Wild Hog Experiences avis car rental discount codes in Indiana Kevin Reese Hog Hunting: The Cure-All for Off-Season Blues Late Season Bucks: The Clock is Ticking Lisa Metheny 10 Gift Ideas for the Huntress who has Everything 12 Christmas Gift Ideas for Ladies who Love the Outdoors The Birdmen Webley Scott Model 900 Lahontan Valley Bird Dog Championships Recap David Farbman Nature and the Pursuit of Life: Family on the Water Nature and the Pursuit of Life: What is the Trophy in Life?