Bears are waking up in Juneau. Here’s how to avoid problems.

A black bear munches on grass off of Vanderbilt Hill Road near the pioneer home on April 20, 2025. (Photo courtesy of Jim Weindorf)
As spring greens sprout up, black bears are emerging from hibernation and roaming around Juneau in search of food. 
They are opportunistic foragers, so they’ll go for trash, pet food and bird feeders if given the chance. Roy Churchwell, a regional management coordinator at the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, said residents should avoid leaving stinky