The Arizona Game and Fish Department is warning people to be bear aware, after two recent encounters with humans near Sierra Vista.

Spokesman Mark Hart says a black bear was seen outside a campground on Feb. 16 and a hunter spotted two others last month near Fort Huachuca.

“It was a female with a cub and typically, the first bears of the season show up in March and they’re usually the males,” Hart said.

He says it’s not clear if the early sightings are due to the warmer winter temperatures or the lack of precipitation, which has depleted their food supply. He says residents should avoid leaving food out for animals and should not put the garbage out until the morning of the scheduled pick-up.