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            On average Kodiak residents kill 15-20 bears each year in defense of life or property. This year only one has been killed. Alaska Department of Fish and Game Wildlife Biologist Larry Van Daele says the sharp decline in threatening bear encounters is probably a result of hunter education and a good berry season.

--          (Bears 1                      :32                   "People around here are getting ... both for the bears and the people.")

            Van Daele says the most common situations when humans will have a dangerous encounter with a bear are either during fall hunting or if a bear becomes used to human food or garbage. He says that the DF&G has worked to educate people on how to avoid bears.

--          (Bears 2                      :25                   "The way we've tried to address that ... stored in a way that a bear can get to it.")

            Sunday night fresh bear tracks were found near the Wal-Mart. Van Daele says that as the weather gets colder it becomes less likely to have a run-in with a bear, though not impossible.

--          (Bears 3                      :12                   "So there are still bears ... if they can.")

            Van Daele says there are three main things to remember when trying to avoid bears.

--          (Bears 4                      :42                   "The best advice ... not attract them to your area."

            Van Daele adds that if someone is out hunting and a bear gets to their kill first, the meat belongs to the bear. Hunters cannot defend their kill, but can defend themselves.

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