The Saratoga Bear

1979: In July, first one then two bears, possibly a mother and cub, were spotted several times in the Red Hill Road area of Saratoga. They enjoyed the honey from some hives belonging to Joseph Koscis on Peach Hill Road.

One, a youngster estimated between 150 and 200 lb from his paw print imprints in the ground, was chased up a tree by four dogs. When the dogs were called off the bear disappeared into the woods.

Department of Fish and Game wardens baited live traps and the bear(s) enjoyed the offerings but somehow escaped. Another two traps were set with honey, plums, tuna, cat food, strawberry jam, and goose food. This time one of the bears, estimated between 300 and 400 lb, was captured and transported to the Santa Lucia Mountains in Los Padres National Forest. Since the bear was “a little upset” Warden Dennis Baldwin said he’d wait a while before matching its paw print to ones taken on the Koscis property.

Santa Cruz Sentinel, July 29, 1979: "Although the bear is believed to be a “local” – one from the nearby Santa Cruz Mountains – the animal will be lifted, still inside the cage, onto a truck, and transported southward [to] a remote area of the Los Padres National Forest for release there."

Courtesy the Saratoga Historical Foundation Collection

In August, the Saratoga City council unanimously adopted a resolution proclaiming the fourth Saturday of each July as “Saratoga Bear Day.”