Bears in Alaska

Living in Bear Country

Living with bears as our neighbors is part of what makes the Alaskan way of life so special.  

Click here to download the Bear Aware Checklist. 

After you use the checklist, sign the pledge to be Bear Aware!

You can help minimize bear encounters and protect our local bears by following these tips:

• Make Noise.  Make noise so you don't surprise a bear. Most bears will flee at the sound of humans approaching.  Give them that chance.  Bear bells are available at many local stores.

• Buddy Up.   You are safer in a group.  Research has proven that those who travel with others reduce their chances of a bear encounter.  Stay aware- unplug from headphones, look around for signs of bears, pay attention!  Your outdoor experience will be enhanced if you tune in to your surroundings, and you will be safer.

• High Speed=High Risk.  When biking or running, especially along creeks, in heavy vegetation and on blind corners take time to make noise and slow down.

• Leash Your Pet.  Or, leave it at home, especially if your pet likes to roam or chase wildlife.   Dogs can aggravate bears and then bring them back to you.

• Carry Bear Spray.  Have it accessible and know how to use it. Bear pepper spray is an effective deterrent.

• Don't Feed Bears. Not only is it illegal to feed bears, but it conditions them to associate humans with food.  This includes garbage, fish waste, birdfeeders and livestock.  It is your responsibility to help keep your neighbors safe by securing all attractants.

• Never Run from a Bear.  This triggers a bear’s natural instinct to chase.  It is helpful to rehearse with your buddies before leaving the trailhead what you will do in the event that you see a bear.  If you do happen to come across a bear, do not approach it. Slowly back away while watching the bear. Bears are curious animals and they will sometimes approach you. If a bear approaches, stand your ground, present a united front, make yourselves look big by holding your arms up, and identify yourself.  If it continues to approach, try to scare it off by yelling, shouting, clapping your hands. Meanwhile get your bear spray out and be ready to use it.

• Seasonally Avoid Salmon Streams where bears are known to congregate.

Fishing with Bears

Whenever you are out fishing, traveling to and from fishing waters, or camping, be Bear Aware!

• Make noise while moving through brush along river banks.
  
•  Keep your eyes open for signs of bear activity.
  
• If you see a bear, do not approach it. Be respectful and give bears their space.  
• Yield to bears-they always have the right of way.  Remember they are trying to make a living too.

Splashing fish attract bears:

• If is bear is near enough to notice splashing -STOP FISHING!

• If the bear approaches you while you have a fish on the line, give it slack or cut the line to eliminate splashing.

As soon as you catch a fish:

• Immediately kill your fish, and then bleed it in the water by cutting or ripping the gill arches.

• Store it on ice in a proven bear-proof container.

• Coolers are NOT bear proof!

If you must use a stringer:

• Keep it in the water and near you at all times

The smell of fish attracts bears:

• Toss all fish waste into deep, fast-moving currents – not in dumpsters!

• If you clean your fish at home, place entrails and fish waste into the freezer until the morning of garbage day.
  
• Do not leave fish waste outside in garbage cans for multiple days, as bears will be attracted to the smell, even in town. Another benefit of filleting at home is that it yields a fresher, cleaner product than filleting in the field.

Keep a clean camp:

• Store all food, bait, line & tackle, fishy clothes and garbage in bear-proof containers or in your vehicle.

• Do not clean your fish in camp.

• Pack out what you packed in.

Bears & Garbage

One of the most important thing you can do when living in bear country is to minimize attractants for hungry bears.  Use bear-resistant garbage cans and don't place your garbage on the curb before pick-up day. 

Survey your yard, neighborhood and community and secure all attractants, including bird feeders, pet food, freezers, and livestock.  

For information on bear-resistant garbage cans and lids, click here.

For information on being Bear Aware, click here.

Click here to download the Kenai Brown Bear Committee flyer for tips on living with bears on the Kenai Peninsula.

Bears & Chickens

Have a chicken coop in your yard? Great! However, it could be a big attractant for some big bears. A really smart way to keep your chickens and your community safe, as well as your bears wild, is to install an electrical fence.

for more information from Alaska Department of Fish and Game about best practice electrical fencing for bears.

 Click here to download and share the Bear Aware flyer.