LAKE TAHOE, Calif. (AP) — Animal rights activists are using increasingly aggressive strategies to keep California and Nevada game wardens from trapping bears that break into Lake Tahoe homes, businesses and campsites in search of food.

The Sacramento Bee reports that members of the Bear League, a grassroots group that opposes the capture of snooping bears, have started keeping vigils by traps and booing the wardens who check on them.

Other activists have coated the devices with Pine-Sol to deter bears and even used teddy bears as decoys, the newspaper said.

The Bee says that residents and business owners who have called wildlife officials to report bears on their property also have been caught in the crosshairs with anonymous threats and online slurs.

Bear League Executive Director Ann Bryant says her group does not endorse threats or trap-tampering.

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Information from: The Sacramento Bee, www.sacbee.com