Kodiak is famous for its large brown bears. And amongst people who study these things it is also well-known for how well the city folk and bears get along. In general people in Kodiak rarely see or have problems with bears - despite the large number of bears that live in close proximity to town. Places like Juneau, Girdwood and Anchorage (lots of problems with bird feeders in spring there) do have problems with bears. Partially it is because Kodiak is more bear aware, but the authorities that be have also made some good decisions. Our dump is fenced off to bears, all of our dumpsters are bear proof, and you do get fined if you do not use the dumpster properly. Some credit should also go to the bears. Around town they are generally nocturnal and very very shy. Elsewhere on the island they are generally out and about in broad daylight. According to ADF&G bear biologist Larry Van Daele bears have adapted and changed their behavior so that they can live close in to town. It is very rare to see a bear close to town - by far the majority of Kodiak residents have NEVER seen a bear close to town.
So imagine my surprise while walking with Nora and the dogs to Abercrombie to see a set of fresh bear tracks. Sometime today, in broad daylight, a young bear walked the entire length of Cliffside Road. Best of all, I called the biologists at ADF&G and it appears no one saw the bear! The tracks were so fresh when I first saw them that they were still wet around the edges where the weight of the bear had 'squigee'ed' the water out from under the paw. It rained this morning and the tracks were on top of the car tracks of people going to work. So the bear did walk down the road in broad daylight. Amazing. Just a gentle reminder that we do live in a special place with bears all around. Its just that the bears usually choose to stay hidden. Patrick
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