Wildlife Safety Tips
Aspen is home to a range of residents.
Whether you’re hiking through the mountains or taking a stroll through town, it’s not uncommon to encounter wildlife, especially during the summer months. Check out these tips to keep yourself and the wildlife safe.
Bears
When are bears most active?
While bears can come out at any time, they typically hibernate during winter and are most active between late April and early November.
What should I do if I encounter a bear?
Always keep your distance. Never approach or feed a bear. Stand still, talk in a calm voice, and slowly back away.
How can I prevent bear break-ins?
A bear's nose is 100 times more sensitive than a human's and they can smell food from five miles away, making it key to secure all your trash and food. Keep trash in a latched, bear-proof container. Ensure your home doors, garage, windows, and car doors are locked. Do not leave food in your car, even if it's locked. Remove attractants, including bird feeders, keep the grill clean, and don't leave pet food outside (feed your pets inside).
How can I stay safe on the trails?
Keep your pets on a leash and stay aware of your surroundings. Bring a tin can of coins (or anything that will make noise when shaken), bear spray, or a whistle.
Are black bears dangerous?
Black bears are typically not dangerous. Even mothers with cubs rarely attack humans, but you should never get between a mother and her cub(s). Keeping your distance, staying calm, and educating yourself are important for staying safe.
Who do I call if I need to report a bear incident?
Call 970-920-BEAR or email bears@aspen.gov
Mountain Lions
When are mountain lions most active?
Mountain lions can be out at any time of day, but are especially active at dusk and dawn.
What should I do if I encounter a mountain lion?
Mountain lions are elusive, and people are most likely to see them on home or trail cameras. However, if you happen to encounter a mountain lion, keep your distance, speak calmly, move slowly (avoid running), and raise your arms or open your jacket to appear larger.
How can I stay safe on the trails?
Stay with a group, carry a walking stick, and make noise to avoid surprising a mountain lion. Keep small children close and pets leashed.
Moose
When are moose most active?
Moose are most active during early morning and dusk. Breeding season is between late September and early November. During this time, bulls can be more aggressive. Female moose can be particularly protective of their young during spring and early summer after calves are born.
What should I do if I encounter a moose?
Moose have few predators, making them less fearful of humans and naturally curious. They can be territorial and run faster than you'd think (up to 35 miles per hour), making it crucial to keep your distance. If a moose shows signs of aggression (laid back ears, raised hair on the neck, lowered head, cocking of the head, etc.), run away and try to put a large object, such as a car, boulder, or tree, between you and the moose.
How can I stay safe on the trails?
If you run across a moose on the trail, take an alternate route or give it time to leave the area.
Wolves
Wolves were reintroduced to Colorado in December 2023 and have been present in Pitkin County.
When are wolves most active?
Like most wildlife, wolves are most active during dawn and dusk but can be active throughout the day. They can be more visible during breeding season, from January to late March.
What should I do if I encounter a wolf?
Wolves are fairly elusive, making encounters rare. If you see a wolf, never approach it and give it space to get away from you. Hold eye contact with the wolf and talk firmly. If there is shelter nearby, slowly back away from the wolf. Do not run; running may activate its predatory instinct. If you cannot reach shelter, stand on a rock, tree stump, or higher object and place objects between you and the wolf. If a wolf continues to display aggressive behavior (locking eyes on you, ears back or forward), make loud noise, wave a walking stick, use an air horn, and be ready to fight back if it attacks.
How can I stay safe on the trails?
Always be aware of your surroundings and keep your dog on a leash; dogs can aggravate wolves.
General Safety Tips
- Do not touch or approach wildlife.
- Do not chase wildlife. Keep pets on leashes.
- Maintain a safe distance. Use binoculars or a zoom lens to get a better look.
- Posting photos of the wildlife to your social media account only draws larger crowds, which can agitate animals and create a dangerous situation.
- Follow the rule of thumb: if you can cover the entire wild animal with your thumb you're at a safe distance. Use binoculars or a camera with zoom to view animals from a safe distance.
- Be alert – if an animal appears startled, changes it’s behavior, or walks away, you are too close.
- Never feed the wildlife; keep animals wild and healthy.
