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.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve had multiple reports of people leaving bird feeders out, bears getting birdfeeders, then coming out day after day looking for that reward again,\u201d Stantorf said, adding that bird feeders attract bears to decks and porches.<\/p>\n
Earlier this month in Kenai, a woman was mauled by a brown bear<\/a> after the sow and her cubs broke into the woman\u2019s front yard, which had several bird feeders in it that were disturbed.<\/p>\n \u201cOne birdfeeder filled up with sunflower seeds represents 2-3 days of natural forage for a bear. They can get that in 20 minutes,\u201d Stantorf said. \u201cSo they aren\u2019t going to pass that up.\u201d<\/p>\n The Department recommends people take down bird feeders April 1 and put them back up at the end of November. <\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n