The Alaska Department of Fish and Game is advising hikers, tourists, hunters, and fishermen to take extra precautions and keep alert for wild bears while in the field.

We strongly advise that everyone in a wooded area, especially hikers and tourists, wear noisy little bells attached to their clothing so as to alert bears to their approach to avoid surprising bears that are feeding.

We also strongly advise that everyone carry some form of pepper spray with them in case of an encounter with a bear.

We caution everyone to be constantly alert and to watch out for signs of recent bear activity.

It is also advisable that persons expecting to be in the woods learn to tell the difference between droppings of Black Bears and Grizzly Bears.

Black Bear droppings are smaller and contain lots of berries and squirrel fur.

Grizzly bear droppings have lots of little bells in it and smells like pepper.