A Fed Bear is a Dead Bear Published April 14, 2009 By Master Sgt. Keith Brown 3rd Wing Public Affairs/ Wildlife Conservation Agent ELMENDORF AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska -- It's that time of year again when the bears, both brown and black, are waking up and scrounging for food after a long winter's hibernation. Being the one who provides food to the bear, whether intentional, or unintentional, like not securing trash or putting away bird feeders, could cost $325 in fines from the Military Conservation Agents on Elmendorf. Bears that become habituated to human contact and human food sources become a threat and, unfortunately, are generally destroyed. Many bears may travel through housing areas with the only intention of getting from point A to point B, but the bear that enters neighborhoods looking for food usually creates resident angst. This will put the bear at risk of fatal removal by officials. Please practice good trash discipline. Ensure that it's properly stored inside, and then placed inside the nearest bear-resistant dumpster. These dumpsters are located in the areas that see a higher concentration of bear activity or pose the greatest potential attraction. Be sure the doors on these dumpsters remain latched, which makes them bear resistant. Also, bird feeders should be cleaned of seed and stored for the bear season. Feeding birds should cease from April to November.