Be aware of awakening bears

MAT-SU — Next time you’re out on a hike in Hatcher Pass, it’s time to start giving a second thought to those rustling sounds behind you.

Both species of bears commonly found in the Mat-Su Valley start to wake up from hibernation during the first three weeks of April, said Alaska Department of Fish and Game wildlife biologist Tim Peltier.

Brown bears come out of their dens first, usually beginning around the first of April, Peltier said. The males wake up earliest, followed by single females and finally the females with cubs. Black bears follow the same pattern, usually beginning about two weeks after their larger cousins.

“May 1 would be a safe day to say all the bears are awake,” Peltier said, “but it seems to be a little more weather dependent than that.”

In a winter with a low snowpack — like this year — Peltier said bears will wake up sooner. Also, the earlier the snow melts, the sooner bear dens will flood causing them to wake up.

When bears do wake up, they act like any human would after a long sleep. Bears are not particularly aggressive during this time, but act more groggy and lethargic, Peltier said.

Bears plug up their digestive system while in hibernation, he said. The first thing bears look for are green shoots to eat to open their system back up. Bears also forage for berries that survived the winter and animals killed in the winter and are uncovered by the melting snow.

Getting back up to full speed is a slow process, Peltier said, and bears will often return to their dens for rest throughout the spring.

The dens remain fairly well hidden even without snow cover, but there may be a better chance of awakening a bear now as opposed to in the dead of winter. This is rare, but it has happened, Peltier said.

It’s time to start using the basic techniques to prevent a run-in with a bear while in the woods. Making noise is key, Peltier said, so clap your hands or talk to your friends.

Peltier said there are three main situations in which bears are potentially dangerous: If you surprise one, find one on its food cache or come between one and its cubs. By just being aware of your surroundings, you can avoid many of the dangerous situations. If you do come across a bear, it’s best to simply walk slowly backwards. Never run from a bear, Peltier said.

“More often than not, a bear is not going to be interested in you. They are not going to look at you as a food source,” he said.

Removing potential food sources from around your house will offer some added protection to your own property, Peltier said. Now is the time to start removing those trash piles that can stack up during the winter. As innocent as they may seem, bird feeders can actually attract bears. Consider putting these away until next winter.

“It might be a little early yet, but in the next couple of weeks, you have to start thinking about bears,” Peltier said.

Contact Todd L. Disher at todd.disher@frontiersman.com or 352-2252.