Wes Larson

“In a perfect world, I would love that every encounter between human and bear is full of wonder and awe. But unfortunately, there are some that become a lot scarier or even violent.”

Wes Larson · said date not stated · reported 2026-09-27

Larson reflected on the ideal of positive bear encounters while acknowledging some turn violent.

“pretty much forced [bears] to take higher risk food opportunities, so stuff like going into communities and getting in the garbage or maybe investigating a campsite or even investigating a person as maybe a potential source of food”

Wes Larson · said date not stated · reported 2026-09-27

Larson explained how depleted natural food sources push bears toward higher-risk food opportunities in communities.

“If they have done a necessary amount of education to where they know how to respond to a bear, it puts them in a headspace that they can then enjoy that encounter rather than be afraid,”

Wes Larson · said date not stated · reported 2026-09-27

Larson said proper education helps people respond calmly to bear encounters rather than being afraid.