Anchorage residents have already reported multiple sightings of bears out and about in the big city and Alaska Department of Fish and Game officials are recommending carrying bear deterrents on hikes.
Local Kenai Peninsula Fish and Game Biologist Jeff Selinger…
Selinger: “Always keep it in the back of your mind that they could be out. I think that’s always a good practice to keep.”
He says many factors influence when bears come out of hibernation including how much fats stores the bears went into winter with and activity around their dens but activity this early may be caused by warm temperatures.
Selinger said before that typically bear encounters do not begin until May or June.
It is recommended that anyone recreating on the Kenai Peninsula should consider precautions in case of a bear encounter.
