State officials urge residents to be aware of bear activity

PALMER — Gov. Bill Walker has proclaimed April “Bear Awareness Month,” in Alaska. Locally, Alaska Department of Fish and Game Officials are urging residents to be aware of bears regardless of where you might be in the Valley.

Alaska Department of Fish and Game area biologist Todd Rinaldi said the Palmer office has not received any official reports of bear activity within the front country of the Matanuska and Susitna valley areas. But unseasonably warm temperatures may trigger bear activity earlier than what is typically usual.

“Just be aware,” Rinaldi said. “Bears can be encountered anywhere.”

Rinaldi said pilots have reported seeing fresh bear tracks in the backcountry of the game management unit 16, west of the Susitna River, areas that still have snow. Even though there have been no reports of bear activity in the more populated areas of Mat-Su, it may not be out of the realm of possibility. In a typical year, Rinaldi said, bears become active in late April. Temperature and potential for bears to access available food sources factor into bear activity, Rinaldi said. The freeze and thaw, and melting can also trigger bear activity.

“Moisture in the den can actually wake a bear,” Rinaldi said.

With the potential for early bear activity, Rinaldi urges residents from across the Mat-Su to be aware, and proactive.

Rinaldi suggests residents take down bird feeders, clean up any garbage that may have accumulated over the winter, and ensure livestock is fenced in.

“Bears do move through the lower areas of the Valley,” Rinaldi said. “We want bears to keep moving through the developed areas, not to be attracted to food sources.”

Rinaldi said working toward eliminating attractants can prevent future problems. Last year, two black bears had to be put down by law enforcement, Rinaldi said. In July of 2014, police spent about six hours trying to shoo a bear out of a densely populated Palmer neighborhood before ultimately having to shoot the animal. Rinaldi said it was the first time in seven or eight years a bear had to be dispatched in Palmer. In another case, a bear had to be put down in Wasilla, because of attractants.

In addition to eliminating attractants, Rinaldi said as residents prepare to become more busy with spring and summer outdoor activities, it’s good to keep the bears in mind.

“Start thinking about making noise on trails. Bears can be found anywhere in Alaska,” Rinaldi said.

For more information about coexisting with bears, see alaskabears.alaska.gov.