Latest news with #KaraVanHoose
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Yahoo
Bears spotted in Castle Rock neighborhood
CASTLE ROCK, Colo. (KDVR) — Every morning, Tom Carnahan gets up and checks his cameras to see what kinds of wildlife have come by in the night. He says he is used to seeing things like deer, but was surprised to see bears on the sidewalk just feet from his front door. 'It's kind of creepy because you don't really know where they are or where they're going. I hate to run into them in the middle of the night,' Carnahan said. For the last 11 years, Carnahan has lived in his home in Castle Rock. Only for the last three years has he had cameras outside his home. Police: Unlikely suspect found to have entered 7 unlocked cars overnight 'It's quite exciting to watch and see what goes on at night. You never realize until you go look on the camera the next day and you see all the different animals that have come through,' Carnahan said. Kara Van Hoose with Colorado Parks and Wildlife says seeing bears in your neighborhood should be concerning. 'We don't want bears to become habituated and start to equate people with food because when they do that, they become more comfortable around us, they lose their natural fear of humans, and that's when we start to see conflicts,' Van Hoose said. Van Hoose added that bears can be aggressive, especially around their cubs, so it is best to be aware and stay vigilant at all times. Something Carnahan says he will be doing going forward. 'I was shocked because I hadn't seen a bear in eight months or so, and to see them just in the front yard, yeah, it's a little scary,' Carnahan said. Van Hoose says to prepare for bears, keep your trash locked up, bring bird feeders inside and if you see a bear, do your best to make a lot of noise by shouting or using pots and pans to scare it away. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
05-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Rattlesnakes are emerging in Colorado. Here's how to stay safe
While Colorado's nonvenomous snakes may swiftly slither away from a perceived threat, the venomous rattlesnake often stands its ground, coils and rattles when sensing danger. Kara Van Hoose, Northeast Region public information officer for Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW), told the Chieftain in an email that most rattlesnake activity happens in the spring and summer months. During the winter, they snooze to conserve energy. Colorado is home to three variations of venomous snakes and they are all rattlesnake species, Van Hoose said. Prairie rattlesnakes may be encountered in areas of the Centennial State below 9,000 feet elevation, including in Pueblo County. Midget faded rattlesnakes are more common in western Colorado counties, while Massasauga rattlesnakes inhabit eastern counties. Each of these variations has a few characteristics in common — a rattle at the end of their tails, triangular heads with vertical pupils, thick bodies, and a venomous bite, according to Uncover Colorado. To protect yourself from rattlers, it helps to know their biology and behaviors, according to the CPW website. Rattlesnakes may shelter themselves under rocks, hide near logs, or rest in holes. For this reason, hikers should avoid stepping over such areas. Additionally, hikers should always wear long pants and durable footwear. Hikers also should stay aware of their surroundings and never wear headphones. Activity during times when human visibility drops — like the evening and early morning — should be limited. "You will most likely hear a rattlesnake before you spot them," Van Hoose told the Chieftain. "Rattlesnakes have very effective natural camouflage. Keep an ear out while hiking or recreating outdoors for their rattle." If an individual hears a rattlesnake, CPW advises them to freeze in place until they are able to locate it. Freezing also may reduce the threat posed to snakes within an individual's line of sight. Individuals should stay at least a 5-foot distance away from the snake. "Give them a very wide berth as they can attack from a few feet away," Van Hoose said. "Do not try to move a snake on your own." Those in Pueblo County who find a rattler in their home or garage should call their local CPW office at 719-561-5300. Some pest control companies are also able to remove rattlesnakes, according to CPW. While hiking with their pets, individuals should keep pets on a short leash and ensure they do not wander off trail, according to Van Hoose. "If dogs wander into grassy or dry areas, they may surprise a rattlesnake," she said. The CPW website advises that those living in rattlesnake-dense areas should remove rock piles, grassy areas and other environments that may attract a snake or its prey before letting their pet roam in their yards. There's also snake avoidance training offered at many Colorado dog training facilities. Through these training courses, dogs may learn to avoid the scent, sound, and sight of snakes. If a pet is bitten by a rattlesnake, its owner should seek immediate veterinary care. If bitten by a rattlesnake, individuals should seek instructions from the Colorado Poison Center at 1-800-222-1222 and visit the nearest hospital. Individuals also should remove all jewelry and tight-fitting clothing, be calm and avoid moving excessively, according to CPW. Individuals should never attempt to extract venom, use ice, use heat, use a tourniquet, or attempt to capture the rattlesnake. Ballot Issue 2A: 'Continue the path forward': Mayor Graham discusses findings of full 2A feasibility study Pueblo Chieftain reporter James Bartolo can be reached at JBartolo@ Support local news, subscribe to the Pueblo Chieftain at This article originally appeared on The Pueblo Chieftain: What to do if you or your pet is bitten by a Colorado rattlesnake
Axios
14-04-2025
- Climate
- Axios
Bears waking earlier than usual in Colorado
Colorado's bears are up and at 'em earlier than usual this season. What they're saying: Although mid-April is typical for bears to begin to stir, Colorado Parks and Wildlife has already "started taking reports and sightings of bear activity across the state," agency spokesperson Kara Van Hoose tells Axios Denver. When we see lower snowpack or lower moisture winters, it's possible bears in Colorado can emerge … earlier" from torpor, a light form of hibernation, she said. Driving the news: The season of bear shenanigans is underway, with human run-ins rising. On April 10, a bear in Evergreen ripped apart an unlocked car, likely looking for snacks. On April 6, a skier at Keystone Resort narrowly dodged a black bear sprinting across a run. On April 5, two large bears in Castle Pines were spotted climbing a homeowner's deck for a bite from some bird feeders. What they're saying: Wildlife officials are urging Coloradans to lock up their trash and take down their bird feeders through November. If a bear finds an easy meal in your driveway, it's more likely to stick around — and that's when problems start.
CBS News
27-03-2025
- Climate
- CBS News
Colorado bears are waking up early as temperatures rise; CPW urges residents to secure trash, food sources
As temperatures rise, some bears in Colorado are beginning to wake from their winter slumber, according to Colorado Parks and Wildlife. CPW is reminding residents to secure food sources and follow best practices to avoid human-bear conflicts . "Coloradans have lived alongside bears for generations, but our habitats have never overlapped like this before," CPW said in a statement. "As bears start to wake up, we're asking everyone to keep easy snacks out of reach to help keep bears wild." Southwestern Colorado is seeing early bear activity due to lower snowpack and warmer temperatures, which trigger the animals' biological response to get up and move. However, CPW notes that bears in Colorado do not hibernate in the traditional sense. "Bears in Colorado go into torpor, which means they do wake up during the winter months to look for food and replenish their calorie deficit," CPW spokesperson Kara Van Hoose said. "That happens in Colorado because we don't have the extremely cold temperatures seen farther north, like in Alaska, where bears truly hibernate." To help reduce human-bear conflicts, CPW is offering grants to communities looking to implement bear-aware initiatives, such as bear-proof trash cans. More information on these programs is available on CPW's website .
