Juneau Homeowner Dispatches Marauding Black Bear

Black Bears can become nuisances whenever and wherever they realize food is present. Image-NPS
Black Bears can become nuisances whenever and wherever they realize food is present. Image-NPS

A nuisance Black Bear was shot and killed by a homeowner in Juneau early Thursday morning according to Alaska State Troopers.

Juneau Police and Alaska Wildlife Troopers responded to an address on Back Loop Road near Goat Hill at 6:15 am to investigate the wildlife shooting.

Troopers and police found that the homeowner shot and killed the Black Bear after all other actions to discourage the bear had been exhausted. The homeowners reported that the bear had been hanging around the property for several weeks.

The homeowners reported that they had erected an electric fence for around the chicken coop and had worked to keep their garbage secure until garbage pick-up day. But, when the bear climbed up on the porch and again attempted to remove items from the refrigerator/freezer that had been placed in the Arctic Entryway during remodeling, the bear was dispatched.

Wildlife troopers report that a charity has been located that will utilize the bear meat and that the homeowner will adhere to Defense of Life and Property regulations and complete the skinning of the bear. The homeowner will also remove the skull for official sealing with ADF&G as per regulations.

Wildlife troopers remind homeowners “to make every effort to keep garbage and other attractants secured for the next few months until bears begin hibernating.”