The Richardson House is the first private rental home in the Tahoe Basin to work with The BEAR League to incorporate Bear Aware principles into our rental contract. If our guests act in an irresponsible manner (leaving food out overnight, leaving trash outside – open, taunting bears for photos and the like) they will receive a $250 fine. The majority of this fine will go back to The BEAR League. Not only do we want to ensure our guests are good neighbors, we feel it’s important to wholeheartedly support The BEAR League and their incredible efforts to ensure a safe and cohesive environment for both the people and bears living together in the mountains.
Our contract:
Dear Richardson House Guest,
Please enjoy all the beautiful gifts nature has to offer. Our neighborhood hosts beautiful birds, chipmunks, squirrels, rabbits, raccoons, deer, coyotes, and one of our favorite creatures – “Ben,” the black bear.
Ben, like all of our area bears, established our neighborhood as his stomping ground many years ago. As Ben is quite shy, he likes to roam around at night, when all is quiet and calm. He is, however, a sly one and can sense as much as a stick of gum in your car. In an effort to look after our valued guests – and our neighborhood bear –we ask that you practice “Bear Aware” rules of conduct while in our home:
- Prior to retiring in the evening, please be sure all outdoor spaces are free of food and garbage (porch, yard, and driveway). In addition, make sure all windows on the first floor are closed and locked.
- All garbage needs to be placed in the bear box garbage (raccoons also love a late night snack and tend to make quite a mess). To ensure a proper closure, make sure you hear the latch lock.
- Turn gas BBQ to high for five minutes to burn all food particles after use.
- Maintain a “food free” vehicle when parked anywhere in the Sierra Nevada area.
Since Ben does not rely on The Richardson House (due to your good practices and those before and after you), we have no reason to fear his presence. To ensure community safety, The Richardson House imposes a $250 fine on any guests not adhering to “Bear Aware” practices. This fee will be immediately charged on your account if our house manager, caretaker, owner, or neighbors witness such errors.
If you hear Ben sneaking around in the wee hours of the evening, and if you feel, for any reason, uncomfortable or uncertain about his presence, The BEAR League is available to you 24-hours a day: 530-525-7297. In addition, your house caretaker resides in the carriage house behind you and will be quick to assist with ANY issue or concern you may have.
If you encounter any bear while in our area, do not be afraid or submissive. Let him know you are there; make eye contact but do not stare; pick-up small children and keep them calm; and most importantly, appreciate the experience and move on with respect and self confidence.
Thank you for being our guest and a great neighbor while enjoying The Richardson House.
Sincerely,
Chelsea Walterscheid
House Manager
chelsea@therichardsonhouse.com
