ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) – Fish and Game biologist Cory Stantorf said the department is getting frequent calls about bears in Anchorage neighborhoods and many have a common denominator: bears that are looking for an easy meal from bird feeders.
“We’ve had multiple reports of people leaving bird feeders out, bears getting birdfeeders, then coming out day after day looking for that reward again,” Stantorf said, adding that bird feeders attract bears to decks and porches.
Earlier this month in Kenai, a woman was mauled by a brown bear after the sow and her cubs broke into the woman’s front yard, which had several bird feeders in it that were disturbed.
“One birdfeeder filled up with sunflower seeds represents 2-3 days of natural forage for a bear. They can get that in 20 minutes,” Stantorf said. “So they aren’t going to pass that up.”
The Department recommends people take down bird feeders April 1 and put them back up at the end of November.
While bird feeders need to come down, trash needs to be properly secured and put out on the morning of pick-up. Stantorf said trash, bird feeders, and things like improperly stored dog food remain major attractants for drawing bears into Anchorage neighborhoods.
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Another concern, Stantorf said, is bears that have started to look for fish in local streams.
“We are starting to see more and more fish come back. Kings are starting to come back into the Anchorage greenbelts at Campbell Creek, and with that it means bears are going to start concentrating in and around these streams. So, it’s just a reminder for folks to be really bear aware when they are out and about.”
Stantorf’s advice is to travel in groups, make noise, carry bear spray and make sure it’s readily accessible. If people encounter a bear they should stop, see what the bear is doing and if it doesn’t see you, you can slowly back away. If the bear sees you, stand your ground and talk to it, he said, and have your deterrent ready to use if it advances.
He said people who have negative encounters with bears are encouraged to report those to Fish and Game.
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