Living With Bears

brown bear and two cubs One thing that makes Alaska unique is that all three species of North American bears flourish here. It is not uncommon for residents or visitors to Alaska to see bears, usually from a safe distance. But even if you don't see a bear, you will never be far from one; Alaska is bear country.

By learning about the lives of black bears, brown bears (including grizzly), or polar bears, you will enhance your enjoyment of these species and help minimize human-bear conflicts. Whether you are learning about bears for the purpose of hunting, viewing, traveling safely, or deterring bears from your property, the more you know the better.

Living in Bear Country

Living in a state with large predators comes with responsibilities. In order to maintain healthy bear populations and reduce conflicts with bears, certain precautions should be taken. Whether it is keeping the garbage at your home secure, or maintaining a clean campsite, your behavior often dictates the bear's behavior. Learn more about living and camping in bear country on these pages so that you, and the bears, can live safely together.

black bear going through garbage can

Responsible Handling of Bear Attractants

Living with bears requires that people keep all human sources of food secure from bears. The following pages provide useful tips to help keep bears wild and people safe.

Safety in Bear Country

If you encounter a bear, how you behave often dictates the outcome of the encounter. Even though encounters with bears are not common and aggressive bear encounters are rare, the more you know about bear safety the better off you are. Learn about safety in bear country on these pages. Get the facts and dispel myths so that you can enjoy the outdoors with confidence and competence.

two bears in water

Safety in Polar Bear Country

Videos and Story Maps

  • The Safety in Bear Country Society, in cooperation with the International Association of Bear Research and Management, has developed four excellent videos/DVD's about staying safe in bear country. Copies are available on loan from ADF&G Area Offices in Anchorage, Fairbanks and Juneau or you may search online to order copies.
  • Anchorage Bears Story Map
    Learn more about the lives of urban bears, and see Anchorage from a bear's perspective. This Story Map shows data from an ADF&G research project that tracked nine bears using GPS collars that included a video camera.
Bear Aware
Bear Aware

Tom Griffin, Wildlife Specialist for the Alaska Department of Fish & Game, offers safety tips on how to be prepared while recreating in bear country.

Watch on Vimeo

What to do if you encounter a bear
What to do if you encounter a bear

Tom Griffin, Wildlife Specialist for the Alaska Department of Fish & Game, offers safety tips on what to do if you encounter a bear.

Watch on Vimeo

Bear spray demonstration
Bear spray demonstration

Watch Tom Griffin, Wildlife Specialist for the Alaska Department of Fish & Game, give a quick bear spray demonstration. Please click on the link to get more detailed information on using bear spray. What you should know about Bear Spray (PDF 514 kB)

Watch on Vimeo

HEY BEARS!!! How YOU Can Stay Safe in Bear Country.
HEY BEARS!!! How YOU Can Stay Safe in Bear Country.

This 19-minute DVD produced by ADF&G, Wayne Hall-Stoutman Productions and students from Mirror Lake Middle School in Eagle River is for elementary students. You can view this DVD online, or sign up to receive a free DVD for your classroom or youth group.

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Bear Spray Demonstration for Hunters, with Craig Boddington
Bear Spray Demonstration for Hunters, with Craig Boddington

This 60-second video demonstrates the proper use of bear spray.

Watch on Vimeo

Bear and Moose Safety Presentation
Bear and Moose Safety Presentation

Watch Tom Griffin, Wildlife Specialist for the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, as he gives a presentation on tips to help you stay safe in Alaska bear and moose country.

Watch on Vimeo

Handling Conflicts

Look at these web pages to find out what you can do to deal with problems with bears.

Community Partnerships

Alaska has several interagency or community groups across the state aimed at minimizing human-bear conflicts and increasing bear awareness among residents and visitors to Alaska. The Alaska Department of Fish and Game often leads these committees, or is an active member of them. Contact the Wildlife Education Program Coordinator, 907-465-8547 if you are interested in learning more about these community partnerships. To find out about upcoming public programs on bear awareness/wildlife safety, visit our calendar.

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