Bear activity is picking up as winter approaches, and many area residents are learning first-hand what fare pleases the palate of the American black bear.

One Granby woman caught a couple of bears in flagrante raiding a food source that’s pretty ubiquitous around the county – dog food.

Pam Minear had just fed her four dogs their final meal of the evening when she caught a small bear scampering away from a stash of dog food on her porch.

Minear caught sight of the bear’s “small little butt” slipping off of her porch, but her encounter didn’t end there.

“The dogs kept barking so I went out to look, and I realized there was one up the light pole at the end of our yard,” Minear said.

The Minears kept their dogs inside until the acrobatic bear could descend from his perch.

For Minear, the experience was exciting.

“I just like seeing the wildlife,” Minear said. “I don’t want them hurt or anything. I just like seeing them.”

Minear said she’s seen bear tracks near her house, but she’s never spotted a live one, let alone had one on her porch.

“I’ve seen moose, bear, elk, antelope, coyotes, fox,” Minear said. “Now I’m waiting for a mountain lion, I guess.”

Residents should make sure that food sources like trash or dog food are secured or kept inside to avoid recurring bear problems.

Hank Shell can be reached at 970-887-3334 ext. 19610.