Follow safety guidelines in bear country

  • Thursday, August 6, 2015 7:12pm
  • Opinion

Recent headlines should serve as a reminder that here on the Kenai Peninsula, we live, work and play in bear country.

Last week, Kenai National Wildlife Refuge staff issued a caution that a pair of adolescent bears had been swiping packs and stringers of fish from anglers around the confluence of the upper Kenai and Russian rivers. And earlier this week, a woman was mauled by a bear on a remote trail on the refuge.

These incidents should serve as a reminder that in bear country, whether it’s the backcountry or just off the road, certain safety precautions are necessary.

First and foremost, if you’re out and about for a walk or a jog, even in your neighborhood, be aware of your surroundings. Make a little noise so that a bear in the vicinity knows you’re coming. If you do see a bear, give it space. Avoid thick brush; when the terrain or vegetation makes it hard to see, make extra noise. Hike in a group.

Thankfully, the bear mauling victim is in stable condition. We wish her a speedy recovery, and are grateful that the attack wasn’t worse. Initial reports suggest that the bear was startled and the attack was defensive; wildlife refuge personnel are investigating the area to ensure the bear wasn’t guarding a food source, like an animal carcass.

On the Russian River — one of the region’s most popular and most heavily used sport fisheries — anglers are required to keep anything that could be used to cook or store food, including a knapsack holding snacks, within 3 feet of a person, kept in a bear-proof container or left in the car. Stringers of fish are required to be within 12 feet of a person.

Bears are smart animals, and they’re looking for the easiest meal they can find to fatten up for another winter. Make sure easy food sources aren’t available, and most of the time, they will be just pass through, not stick around to cause trouble.

On occasion, a bear encounter will be will turn negative. But, by following guidelines for living in bear country, hopefully, those interactions will remain few and far between.

More in Opinion

Alaska State Sen. Jesse Bjorkman (R-Nikiski), left, and Alaska House Rep. Ben Carpenter (R-Nikiski) participate in the Senate District D candidate forum hosted by the Peninsula Clarion and KDLL 91.9 FM on Monday, Oct. 7, 2024, at the Soldotna Public Library in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)
Opinion: Carpenter has a much better fiscal plan

The sales tax is only one component included in a larger package of bills

"Miss Rosey," a pink fire engine dedicated to raising awareness about cancer prevention and screening, is seen after her unveiling at Central Peninsula Hospital in Soldotna, Alaska, on Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Opinion: The lifesaving power of early detection

A call to action during Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Pins supporting the repeal of ranked choice voting are seen on April 20, 2024, at the Republican state convention in Anchorage. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)
Opinion: Do we really need to be re-educated to vote?

Our party primaries were meant to bring the top two (or three) people to the final election for the final vote

This photo shows a sample ballot for the Aug. 16, 2022, special general election. The election was the debut of ranked choice voting in Alaska. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Opinion: Keep officials accountable to Alaskans, not party insiders, by voting no on Ballot Measure 2

Alaska’s nonpartisan election system protects every Alaskan’s right to vote for their chosen candidate at every election, regardless of party affiliation

Nick Begich III campaign materials sit on tables ahead of a May 16, 2022, GOP debate held in Juneau. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file photo)
Opinion: Begich’s business shows commitment to Alaska

Headquarters in Alaska creates local jobs

Baisden family dog, Tug, is photographed in this undated photo. (Photo courtesy Rhonda Baisden)
Opinion: Ode to a good boy

The reality of saying goodbye hit us like a freight train

Alex Koplin. (courtesy photo)
Opinion: Why we’re not ranking Vance on the ballot

We will rank the other two candidates

Kenai Courthouse is photographed on Feb. 26, 2019, in Kenai, Alaska. (Clarion file)
Opinion: Seeking justice for our son

These state troopers need to be held accountable for their actions, and never let this happen again

This November 2022 file photos shows Alaska Division of Elections Director Gail Fenumiai explaining the ranked choice tabulation for the 2022 U.S. House race. Democratic incumbent Mary Peltola prevailed over Republican former Gov. Sarah Palin by a final tally of 54.9% to 45.1% after lower-finishing candidates Republican Nick Begich III amd Libertarian Chris Bye were eliminated during the first two rounds of instant choice runoffs. (Mark Sabbatini/Juneau Empire file)
Opinion: Ranked choice voting and open primaries diminish political party control. That’s great for Alaska.

The fact that both private political organizations are opposed to open primaries and RCV should be a red flag for us all

Most Read