Living with Bears in Pine Mountain Club

If you spend any time in Pine Mountain Club, you'll eventually see a bear — or at least the evidence of one. Black bears are a regular part of life at 5,500 feet, and honestly, most residents love seeing them. But "love" and "prepared" need to go hand in hand.

Why Bears Come to Your Property

It's almost always about food. Unsecured trash cans are the number one attractant. Bears have incredible noses and long memories — once they find food at your house, they'll come back. Bird feeders, pet food left outside, barbecue grills, and even scented items in your car can draw them in.

Bear-Proofing Your Property

• Use bear-resistant trash cans or store trash in your garage until pickup day
• Take down bird feeders from April through November
• Clean your grill after every use and store it inside if possible
• Don't leave pet food or water bowls outside overnight
• Pick up fallen fruit from trees
• Lock your car — yes, bears can open unlocked car doors

What to Do During an Encounter

Most bear encounters in PMC are uneventful. The bear is usually more interested in leaving than engaging. If you see a bear on your property, make noise — bang pots, clap, yell. Don't approach it, and absolutely don't feed it. A fed bear is a dead bear, as the saying goes. If a bear becomes aggressive or enters your home, call Kern County Animal Control.

The POA's Role

The Pine Mountain Club POA takes wildlife management seriously. They periodically send out reminders about bear safety and enforce rules about trash storage. Some neighborhoods have shared bear-proof dumpsters. Pay attention to community newsletters for updates, especially in late summer and fall when bears are fattening up for winter.

A Part of the Package

I always talk to my buyers about wildlife when they're looking at homes in PMC. The bears, deer, and occasional mountain lion sighting are part of what makes this place special. With a few smart habits, coexisting is easy — and the reward is living in a place where nature is right outside your door.

For a complete guide to hiking trails in Pine Mountain Club — including trail etiquette and wildlife tips — see the PMC hiking trails page.