Bear sighting sparks excitement in Gilpin

A black bear helped itself to an early Memorial Day picnic Friday at the Henry household in Gilpin, Armstrong County.

The bear made its way onto the back deck, dumped over a garbage can near dusk and then settled in for a snack session.

Homeowner Paula Henry said it was the first time she’d had a bear show up at her back door. Henry said she initially heard a commotion on the back deck and investigated.

Although bear sightings are not uncommon in rural Gilpin, Henry said it was neat to have such an up-close view of the bear through her sliding-glass window.

“I wasn’t scared. I had the door between me and the bear,” said Henry, 62. “I did call for my husband and son to come see and grabbed my phone for a pic.”

The bear appeared to be focused on his meal.

“He was busy eating grapes and orange peels,” Henry said. “He didn’t even see me — he was too busy eating my garbage.”

She described the bear’s demeanor as comfortable while munching on the overturned trash.

Henry’s husband, Bill, put an end to the bear’s free meal after the family watched for about 10 minutes, yelling at the bruin in hopes of frightening it away.

The bear reacted to the noise, but didn’t leave before meandering on the property, standing on its hind legs and running off.

After the incident, Henry said she brought her trash into the residence for the night.

A Gilpin resident for 42 years, Henry said the last time she recalled seeing a bear there was about 30 years ago.

She posted her close encounter with the bear to her Facebook page.

Bill Henry told his wife he thought the bear weighed about 150 pounds and was likely a younger bear, Paula Henry said.

Paula Henry said she isn’t sure what her next steps will be with her weekly garbage routine.

“There was something in the garbage that bear liked. I’m not sure what to do with my garbage now,” she said.

The family said the bear has not returned.

According to Facebook posts by other Gilpin residents, at least two additional black bear sightings occurred on Ice Pond and Johnetta roads in Gilpin over Memorial Day weekend.