An early spring means that residents and visitors need to already be taking precautions around bears, as evidenced by Monday’s mauling in the Kicking Horse Valley, said Pam Randles, president of the Alaska Chilkoot Bear Foundation.

“It’s not at all surprising that they’re out at this point. Granted, it’s early, but it’s warm and the eulachon are in and that’s usually when the bears are out,” Randles said.

The foundation is putting out brochures at local lodges and car-rental agencies aimed at educating independent visitors about proper behavior in bear country.

“A lot of visitors don’t know how to behave around bears. People on tours have tour guides. Independent travelers don’t necessarily have a source of information on how to behave around bears,” Randles said.

Randles also is preparing a checklist for residents, with items including keeping barbecue grills clean and pet food stowed in secure locations. “It’s all about prevention,” she said.

A required training session for Chilkoot corridor volunteers is tentatively set for 9 a.m. May 5 at the Haines ANB Hall. Participants will be issued cards verifying their completion of the course. The session also is open to tour guides and is a collaborative effort with the state Division of Parks.

“We had some people last year who said they were volunteers but hadn’t been trained and lacked what we might call some of the social graces,” Randles said.

Randles said the number of bears taken in defense of life and property last year showed a decline over previous years, a sign to her of improvement.

“People have been careful in the townsite. We’re learning, so we don’t have as many conflicts. Bears aren’t dumb. They know when they have half a chance, and they respond to hazing,” Randles said.

It’s very important that bears have a strongly negative experience the first time they come around human food sources, she said.

“It’s important to get them the first time. You can just bang on pots and pans or use an air horn. Just about any sharp noise will work. Critter-getters (available on loan at the Fish and Game office in Haines) work brilliantly,” Randles said.

For more information, contact Randles at 766-3664.

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