08/07/2026
Gus Weller
In the summer of 2004, workers at Baker Lake Resort in Washington found a black bear sleeping near dozens of damaged beer cans. The bear had broken into campers’ coolers and used its teeth and claws to puncture the cans.
Washington wildlife officials estimated that it had consumed about 36 cans of Rainier beer. It also tried one Busch beer but reportedly left the remaining Busch cans alone. When an officer tried to chase it away, the apparently intoxicated bear climbed a tree and stayed there for about four hours. Officers eventually moved it out of the campground, but it returned the next morning.
This time, wildlife agents set a large humane trap. They baited it with doughnuts, honey and two open cans of Rainier. The plan worked. The bear was captured and reportedly relocated to an undisclosed area away from people.
