Two bears were shot in the Haines Borough this past weekend, both by homeowners defending chickens. Although bear-related calls to the police dipped after last week’s record-setting snowfall, the recent activity suggests this year’s Bearpocalypse is not yet over.
As of Nov. 5, the Haines Police department had received 421 bear-related calls for service, up more than 200% from 2019, according to chief Heath Scott. “We know that 421 is most likely far fewer than are actually occurring with many people not necessarily reporting their interactions,” he said.
This year, Haines has experienced an unprecedented amount of bear activity and bear-caused property damage.
“Our last bear call from last year was on November 28, 2019, and we ended that year with 186 total calls,” Scott said, adding that 2019 saw a dramatic increase in bear-related calls from prior years.
Colder weather and decreased food availability tend to drive bears to hibernate. On Nov. 1, the Chilkat Valley received roughly 16 inches of snow, but state and local officials warned it might not mark the end of bear activity.
Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADFG) officials said they are still receiving reports of bear activity in the Chilkat Valley.
In addition to the two bears that were killed, “we did have other bear complaints come in over the weekend within the townsite and out the road,” ADFG biologist Carl Koch said on Nov. 9. “Not all bears have denned up yet.”
ADFG biologist Anthony Crupi, who is tracking a number of radio-collared bears in the valley, said although the snow does appear to have driven some in that direction, there’s variation in when bears den up.
“Easy answer, they are not sleeping yet, tracks still left in the snow, but several collars were detected at high elevation (last) week after the twenty-plus inches of snow,” Crupi said. “I generally say median den entrance date is mid-November to Thanksgiving.”
According to data Crupi has collected in the Chilkat Valley between 2008 and 2019, different bears den up at different times. Females with cubs tend to hibernate the earliest, starting as soon as mid-October and averaging mid-November. Other females also tend to den up around mid-November with males denning up the latest, averaging early December.
Crupi noted that humans can have an impact on when bears den up. Lack of available food is a big part of what drives them to hibernate. “If food (a late salmon run) or unsecured human food is available they can be out into January,” he said.
Fish and Game recommends residents continue to be vigilant about bear attractants.
“I encourage folks to continue being diligent about keeping attractants secured so that bears are more likely to leave town in search of a den,” Koch said.
In some places in the state, like Juneau and the Kenai, there are reports of bear activity year-round.
The Haines Borough is currently collecting data about bear-caused property damage sustained this year to illustrate to elected officials and state agencies the need for additional resources to curb the bear problem. Residents who have sustained damage are asked to email [email protected] with a description of the damage, estimated cost and date the damage occurred.
Borough clerk and interim manager Alekka Fullerton said as of Nov. 6, the borough had received 21 responses.
To date, 29 brown bears have been killed outside hunting season in Haines this year, 27 of which were shot. Sixteen brown bears have been killed as part of this year’s fall hunt.