NPS

A fed bear is a dead bear!

Living in Bear Country

Remember: A fed bear is a dead bear!

It is well known that garbage and attractants kill bears, that is, once bears associate people with a food reward: such as garbage, birdseed or pet food. A chain of events is set into motion and the end result, very often, is a dead bear.

Anchorage residents take pride in wildlife. A large majority feel that residents should have the knowledge and skills to deal with wildlife in the city. In March 2002 Alaska Department of Fish and Game created the Anchorage Bear Committee to address concerns about bears and bear/human interactions. Since then, the Committee, made up of representatives of the Municipality, several land management agencies and the state, has worked to find solutions to the ongoing bear-human conflicts around our city. 

What can I do to avoid conflict with bears?
The best way to avoid conflict with bears is to prevent it. The easiest way is to put garbage out just before pick up. Bears are attracted to anything smelly or edible. Discourage bears from coming to your property by responsibly storing or removing any attractants, including:

• Garbage
• Birdfeeders (Between April 1-October 31)
• Pet food
• Barbecue grills
• Fishing gear and fish parts

Why doesn't Fish and Game just move all the bears?
Bears in an urban environment is not the problem. Leaving attractants in the open is the main cause of bear problems.

What do I do if I see a bear in town?
The Alaska Department of Fish and Game and the Anchorage Police Department cannot respond to every bear sighting. Before calling authorities, try to determine what the bear is doing:

• Is the bear eating natural foods and or just passing through?
• • If a bear is eating natural foods, such as berries or grass, leave it alone and give it time and space to leave. Unless the bear receives food rewards such as garbage, birdseed, or dog food, it will move on.
    
    
• Is the bear climbing onto a porch or deck?
• • If the bear is climbing onto your porch or deck, encourage it to leave by banging pots or making other loud noises. After the bear leaves, remove all attractants.
    
    
• Is the bear getting into garbage?
• • If the bear is getting into your garbage, wait a safe distance away until you are sure the bear has gone and then clean up whatever attracted the bear. Keep trash cans inaccessible until the morning of garbage pickup day. Do not give this or any other bear a chance to get another food reward.

How can I get a bear resistant container or enclosure?
Information about where to purchase bear resistant containers and how to build an electric fence is available at the fish and game website: www.alaskabears.alaska.gov

Here are some other great tips for preventing bear problems in your home and neighborhood:

1. Store garbage and animal feed inside buildings or in bear-proof containers. 
   
2. Plant gardens out in the open, away from cover and game trails. Avoid composting meat and turn your compost over frequently. Finely chopped fruit and vegetable matter will decompose faster and is less likely to attract bears.
3. Domestic animals draw bears. Secure your livestock behind electric fences.
4. Bears love to eat birdseed. Take down bird feeders from April through October. Clean up dropped seeds and hulls.
5. Consider an electric fence. If used properly, they can keep bears out of gardens and compost piles, and away from buildings and domestic animals.
6. Regularly clean barbecue grills, especially the grease trap, after each use.
7. Feed pets indoors or pick up excess and spilled food between meals.
   

Make sure to visit our Bear Safety page or our Bear Safety for Kids page for more information.

If you are an educator, make sure to visit our Statewide Education Kits page for information on how to reserve a Bear or Bear Safety kit for use in your classroom!