There’s a Bear Hibernating Underneath Your Deck. Now What?

When animals choose your property as their new home, the situation can become frightening and moreover costly for homeowners.

This is precisely what happened to a Colorado Springs, CO, family when a 200-pound black bear chose their deck as its hibernation site, according to KRDO.

While the bear had been wandering around their property for some time, to the awe of the family’s children, it was never threatening. That is, until it had established “a permanent nesting spot, prompting them to worry that the animal had chosen their deck as her hibernation den for the winter,” according to KRDO.

Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant, wildlife ecologist and co-host of the show "Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom Protecting the Wild," explains that when a bear chooses a space under a deck or porch to hibernate, it’s usually because the location feels safe, quiet, and insulated, not because the bear is trying to interact with people.

“Bears don’t exhibit den site fidelity, meaning they don’t use the same den year after year. So having a bear one year doesn’t mean your property will have a bear there each winter season. Still, this is a situation homeowners should take seriously and handle carefully,” she said.

She added that while such encounters can be unsettling, they’re also a reminder that we share landscapes with wildlife.

“The right precautions, education, and assistance from wildlife professionals can help humans and bears safely coexist,” she said.

What to do: safety precautions and relocation protocols

Ashey Hobbs, BearWise coordinator for the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, recommends regular inspections of your property to check for potential food sources, den sites, and other attractants. BearWise is a national program of the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies that educates and informs on how to live responsibly with black bears. 

Hobbs added that dark, quiet places such as crawl spaces or brush piles can be attractive den sites for bears, so it’s essential to secure any access points and clear brush.

“Your state wildlife agency likely has recommendations on its website on how to coexist with a variety of local wildlife. Relocation of wildlife is handled on a state-by-state basis. In North Carolina, we don’t relocate bears, but we do provide effective guidance and/or assistance to get a bear to relocate on its own,” she said.

Wynn-Grant notes that each state has a local wildlife protection agency with trained researchers and biologists who act in the best interests of human-bear coexistence. These professionals are trained to assess whether the bear can be safely encouraged to move on or whether relocation is necessary, she noted.

“In many cases, wildlife officials will monitor the bear and determine the least stressful option, for both the animal and the homeowner, based on the bear’s condition, the time of year, and local regulations,” she said, adding that relocation is not always the default solution, especially in late fall or winter, because moving a bear during hibernation can reduce its chance of survival.

What to do if wildlife tries to hibernate or shelter on your property?

Kevin Lacilla, president of Bearicuda, a maker of bear-resistant enclosures, trash cans, dumpsters, and food storage lockers, stressed that if you suspect an animal is living or attempting to hibernate under your deck, do not try to investigate, block the opening, or scare it away yourself.

“This can be extremely dangerous, particularly with bears, which may react defensively if startled or cornered,” he said.

Bears and other large wildlife can become "unpredictable when disturbed, particularly when entering or already in hibernation, so homeowners should maintain distance, secure pets and children indoors, and contact local wildlife authorities immediately," said veterinarian Kathryn Dench, a member of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons and chief scientific adviser at natural health care line Paw Origins.

“Professionals are trained to assess whether the animal is denned, injured, or simply sheltering temporarily, which determines the safest next step,” she added.

Preventive steps to keep animals away

Experts agreed that a wild animal situation is more common than many homeowners realize, especially in areas where human development overlaps with habitat. 

“However, it’s very rare for denning bears to pose a threat to public safety. Other wildlife species, such as groundhogs, squirrels, and raccoons, are much more commonly found using human structures for shelter,” Hobbs said.

As a homeowner, educate yourself on your region-specific wildlife. For instance, depending on where you live, you may encounter skunks, raccoons, foxes, badgers, and even porcupines seeking shelter—or you might find something with bigger teeth.

“Similar behavior is seen with alligators under docks in warmer climates or seals resting under coastal structures. The pattern is the same: Animals choose spaces that mimic natural shelter,” said Dench.

As such, prevention is key, and there are several long-term deterrence measures.

Dean Bennett, president of Dean Bennett Design & Construction in Castle Rock, CO, offered several tips, such as eliminating piles of wood in your yard.

He also recommended not leaving old cars or appliances on your property, as they create perfect homes for all kinds of animals.

“If you have a chimney, make sure you have a cap on it. Trim trees and overhanging branches. Otherwise, you’re giving animals easy access to your roof. Cut back vegetation, too, to eliminate places for animals to hide,” he added.

Lacilla also suggested installing heavy-gauge steel or wildlife-rated fencing around the base of decks; burying barriers several inches below grade to prevent digging; and eliminating attractants such as unsecured garbage, compost, and bird feeders.

In addition, using motion-activated lighting or wildlife deterrent systems and regularly inspecting the perimeter of your home, especially in the fall, can help.

He also recommends that homeowners don’t wait for damage to occur, as once an animal has settled in, removal becomes more complicated, and stresses the importance of understanding local wildlife laws before taking action.

“Living near wildlife is part of life in many beautiful rural and mountain regions. With proper precautions and professional support, conflicts can be managed safely and humanely,” he said.