As human encroachment continues to stretch more and more onto wildlife habitat in Montezuma County and elsewhere, problems with animals such as bears, deer, elk, coyotes and mountain lions are becoming more frequent.

Minimizing those conflicts depends on people taking basic precautions that respect the needs of the true first inhabitants of the Four Corners, precautions that will help to preserve western values of sustainable wilderness and open space, according to Colorado Division of Wildlife Officer Robin Olterman.

"Some people get the false impression that the (wildlife) population is getting out of control because there are more reports, but what is actually happening is that people are moving into areas, like building homes on canyon rims, where these animals and their prey have traditionally been living," Olterman said. "As a result there have been more sightings or encounters."

Along with the Uncompahgre Plateau, Montezuma County’s vast landscape of canyons, desert mountains and open range constitutes Colorado’s most prime mountain lion habitat. Plenty of deer and natural cover for these inquisitive, yet secretive big cats have contributed to a healthy population here, one that controls its own numbers if left alone, Olterman said.

But as development continues to squeeze into historical habitat more sightings begin occur, increasing the potential for problems. A mother lion and her cub were recently spotted roaming neighborhoods bordering Trail Canyon around the Johnson building in south Cortez, and two mountain lions were killed in one day last month by cars within Mesa Verde National Park.

"Human-threatening encounters with mountain lions are extremely rare," Olterman said. "But as far as lions getting into sheep or taking a pet, it is a bit more common."

The DOW suggests that residents living in, or on the fringes of mountain lion territory (such as near rocky canyons, piñon/juniper forests or anyplace where there are plentiful deer) take precautions to reduce risks, including:

• Install outside lighting, especially in areas where you walk and remove vegetation to eliminate hiding places for mountain lions. From dusk to dawn is when lions are most active.

• Closely supervise children when they play outdoors and bring them inside at dusk. Teach them about wildlife ethics and what to do if a wild animal is seen.

• Keep your pets under control; roaming pets are especially easy prey and can attract mountain lions. Bring them in at night, or put them in secure kennels. Don’t feed pets outside, as this can attract raccoons and other animals that are preyed upon by mountain lions.

• Store all garbage and pet food securely.

• Avoid planting non-native shrubs or plants, which encourage deer to come onto your property. Predators follow the deer, one of their prey.

• Place livestock in enclosed sheds or barns at night and close the doors. Trained guard dogs are also an effective mountain lion and bear deterrent and help protect livestock herds.

• Encourage neighbors to follow these simple precautions. Prevention is far better than a possible lion confrontation.

"Generally I teach people to make noise when walking or hiking in wildlife habitat so that these animals can hear you, because these animals do not like to be around people, so they will get out of the area you’re in if forewarned," Olterman said.

Bears are beginning to emerge from their winter-long siesta and have already been spied lumbering about in the Summit Lake area, Olterman said. Bears are especially known as opportunists and are attracted to garbage, hummingbird feeders, compost piles, fruit trees and greasy barbecue grills. Olterman urged residents to manage property accordingly so that bears are less likely to stop for a visit.

"They are beginning to roam around some, but they are not usually a problem until the fall, when they begin to fatten up for hibernation," she said, adding that bear conflicts depend on the availability of their natural food source of grubs, berries and acorns. Olterman said that so far these food sources appear to be in healthy shape.

"When those crops do well, we have almost no bear problems, so lets hope they do not freeze," she said.

There are several heavily utilized wildlife corridors in the county that elk, deer and other animals migrate through to access high country, summer feeding grounds. Crowded highways filled with speeding locals and tourists alike now divide these historical migration routes and present a big danger to both humans and wildlife. From Mesa Verde National Park north and east toward Boggy Draw and the La Platas is one such corridor for wildlife. Extra caution should be taken throughout the triangle of Highways 160, 145 and 184 that link the towns of Cortez, Dolores and Mancos.

The stretch between the Montezuma County Fairgrounds and Mancos along U.S. Highway 160 almost always has deer on it at dusk, as does the stretch of 184 between highway 666 and Dolores.

"A lot of the deer population around here is just being wiped out by vehicles traveling in that area," said Colorado State Patrol Trooper Steve Nowlin. "We are always responding to crashes with animals along those stretches so it is important to stay alert."