Spring Bear Safety in Alaska

 (Photo credit: ucumari)

Bears that wake up hungry after a long winter’s nap aren’t as big a problem in Fairbanks as they are in other bear-infested cities like Anchorage and Juneau but state wildlife officials say it’s still a good idea for Interior residents to do some spring cleaning around their homes to dissuade any ursine intruders.

“We haven’t had as many problems in Fairbanks as Anchorage,” Alaska Department of Fish and Game spokeswoman Cathie Harms said of Alaska’s largest city 360 miles to the south, where it’s not uncommon for bears to be shot each spring for getting into garbage, tearing down bird feeders or ravaging neighborhood chicken coops.

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Man Punches Grizzly

Only in Alaska...

The other day I wrote about the fact that the first questions I always get about Alaska are about bears and moose (okay...the occasional igloo question).  I have never until now heard a story quite like this...

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Bear Advisory for The Bartlett River Area

Image via Wikipedia

This notice is to inform visitors of recent bear activity along the Bartlett River upstream of the boardwalk. On September 14, a group of 4 anglers encountered a black bear who obtained one fish that was lying on the river bank. The group attempted to stand their ground by standing next to each other and stomping their feet while making loud noises, but it did not deter the bear from approaching them. One member of the group had bear spray but did not deploy it due to the wind conditions at the time. The bear managed to get one of five fish that were lying on the ground near the group's location. The bear then left the area.

Please remember to follow the posted guidelines and regulations to keep people safe and bears wild.

Anglers are reminded that new NPS regulations prohibit filletting fish on the Bartlett River and require that caught fish be within 6 feet of a person at all times to prevent bears associating people with fish carcasses. 

People fishing or hiking on the Bartlett River are recommended to travel in groups of 2-4 or more, make noise, carry bear spray, and never yield ground, fish, or gear to bears. Please report all bear encounters to the park's Visitor Information Station (907-697-2627) where you can also get the most current information regarding bear activity in Glacier Bay.

Illegally Discarded Fish Waste May Draw Bears, Fines for Violators

Image via Wikipedia(Anchorage) – As the summer fishing season peaks in Southcentral Alaska, anglers and dip netters are reminded not to dispose of fish waste in Anchorage area streams, lakes and neighborhoods. Discarding fish waste on public or private property is against state and municipal law and can draw bears into areas frequented by the public. Violators may be subject to fines ranging from $300 to $1,000.
The Divisions of Sport Fish and Wildlife Conservation have recently received numerous reports of salmon waste dumped into Anchorage creeks, lakes and neighborhood areas. This illegal activity is a serious public safety concern; fish waste can draw bears to an area from more than a mile away.
“People may not realize they are putting other people in danger when they illegally dump fish or fish carcasses, but this is a serious public safety issue,” said Jessy Coltrane, area biologist for the Division of Wildlife Conservation. “Fish carcasses attract bears, and bears may defend these food sources if people accidentally come near.”
Moving fish carcasses from drainage to drainage also has the potential to introduce fish pathogens into stream systems, endangering local salmonids, said Dan Bosch, area biologist for the Division of Sport Fish.
To properly dispose of unwanted fish or fish carcasses in a safe manner, please follow these recommendations:

• If fish is not spoiled and is well packaged, it can be donated to Bean’s Café, which serves meals to the homeless (1101 E. 3rd Ave between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m.)
• The Alaska Zoo, Bird Treatment and Learning Center, and the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center will usually accept fish donations for wildlife. Fish cannot be spoiled, smoked, flavored or badly freezer-burned. Call each facility prior to donating to learn about hours and specific needs (Bird Treatment and Learning Center, 562-4852; Alaska Zoo, 346-3242; Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, 783-2025).
• Filleted carcasses and other fish waste should be taken directly to a waste transfer station or to the landfill. Another option is to freeze fish waste to eliminate odors and then place it out with garbage on the morning of trash pickup. Do not put waste out the night before trash pickup.