It's tempting to imagine what the bears would say, if bears had cell phones.

Energy workers who've invaded public lands in northwestern Colorado by the thousands have been complaining that they want the Division of Wildlife to do something about problem bears.

The division did something Tuesday when it told the energy industry to clean up its camps.

That's the short version of the agency's response to complaints stemming from bears raiding trash cans and dumpsters around corporate outposts.

The bears in question are not backyard bears. These troublemakers are backcountry bears. They have the effrontery to live in actual bear habitat, nearly all on public land.

The bears have been plundering trash dumps around well pads and mobile homes that house energy employees. This bruin business has grown tense especially around Parachute, at the foot of the Roan Plateau.

In the past six years, the area some hunters distantly remember as Game Management Unit 32 has become a drillers dustbowl. Needless to say, the bears have grown restless.

"In the past three weeks, I've taken more than 40 phone calls from energy workers who want us to 'do something' about the bears," J.T. Romatzke, district wildlife manager for the Parachute area, said in a statement.

Wildlife managers say it is the job of the energy companies to tidy up and provide bear-proof trash containers. They also want employees to stop feeding the bears, which is illegal but commonplace.

Some of the well-pad whiners have asked the wildlife division to trap and relocate the bears. The division's answer: Relocate them where?

"With more than 90 percent of the public land in northwest Colorado already leased for energy development, there aren't many places to move bears where the bear wouldn't just find another untidy well pad," the agency announced.

LEFTOVERS SERVED: It's not too late for grasshoppers who put off the paperwork in spring - or for the preference point-deprived - to plan the perfect hunt. Even though many early planners have drawn coveted licenses for deer, elk and pronghorn, a banquet of leftovers will be served starting next week.

Hundreds of limited licenses that went begging after the April drawing deadline will go on sale starting 9 a.m. Tuesday at license agents, Division of Wildlife offices and by phone, 1-800-244-5613, giving in-person buyers a one-day head start.

The next day, Aug. 8, online buyers of leftovers will join the throng at Wildlife.State.CO.US, where the number, type and area of each available license are listed.

Some are Class B licenses, which means they are second- animal licenses, additional to others bought through the regular drawing or over the counter.

The leftover list is weighted heavily in favor of licenses for antlerless elk and deer.

But many either-sex licenses and a few limited bull and buck licenses also remain, along with more than 100 fall turkey hunting licenses for limited areas.

Remember those festive times when leftover applicants camped overnight and stood in long lines? They are gone, for the most part, and good riddance.

The wildlife division promises to update its online leftover license list every 20 minutes .

Fishing hot spot: Willow Creek Reservoir

• Why here? The reservoir offers potentially good, kid-friendly fishing opportunities in a scenic setting near Rocky Mountain National Park and resort amenities.

• What's hot? Shoreline and wakeless-boat fishing for rainbow trout.

• Tackle box: Worms, salmon eggs, Power Bait, Mepps spinners, Dardevles, small Rapalas.

• Best times: Early mornings and late afternoons.

• How to get there: From Denver, go west on Interstate 70 to the U.S. 40 intersection west of Idaho Springs, then go north on U.S. 40 through Granby. Just past Granby, turn right onto U.S. 34, proceed to Willow Creek Road (Road 40), turn left and continue to the lake.

• Ask the experts: Budget Tackle in Granby, 1-970-887-9344.

• Fishing report: For the Colorado Division of Wildlife's complete fishing report, visit Rocky MountainNews.com/fishing

dentrye@RockyMountainNews.com

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