‘Tis the season to be bear (and moose) aware

It’s that time of year: the bears are waking up on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson and throughout Southcentral Alaska, and they’re hungry.

Bears give birth during their hibernation, so mothers are bringing out this year’s cubs. Every year, Anchorage residents have issues with bears of all ages getting into the easiest food available – usually garbage. Those baby bears are darling, but if you step out your front door between a mother and her cub, it’s going to be a dangerous morning.

As the snow melts, it’s time to take down the bird feeders. Birds don’t need the supplemental feed, and oily, energy-rich seeds and suet are a great target for bears. The 673d Civil Engineer Squadron Natural Resources staff and conservation law enforcement officers urge residents – on base or off – to clean out the feeders and put them away.

Garbage cans should be kept inside until trash day, and put out the bins in the morning rather than the night before. If you use a dumpster, use the bear-proofing measures that may have fallen by the wayside over winter. Keep the lids and openings closed. Remind neighbors who may forget.

Been grilling over the winter? Give your grill a cleaning to get rid of the grease, which smells delicious to bears. If you have a smoker outside, clean that too. You may not be able to smell last year’s salmon, but bears can.

If you or your pets have spilled food outside, shovel or rake it up and secure it in the trash. Pet food, birdseed, and livestock feed should be kept inside or in bear-resistant containers.

Got a green thumb? Plant your garden in the open, away from cover and game trails. Bears are omnivores – they like berries and some vegetables almost as much as fish and meat, and you don’t want a fuzzy surprise while you’re picking your raspberries later this summer. Only compost vegetable matter, never meat, and turn your compost frequently.

Feeding wildlife, even unintentionally, is illegal and can result in steep fines. Additionally, bears which become accustomed to humans and the easy meals they unwittingly provide often have to be removed far away or even killed. Taking some basic precautions will reduce wildlife conflict in your neighborhood and may save a life – human or bear.

Lastly, moose calving season is nearly here. Moose look affable, but moose with calves are statistically the most dangerous animals in Alaska.

Be aware of the wildlife that surrounds us at JBER – enjoy them at a distance.