Wildlife & Bear Safety 
Any campus in Alaska is graced from time to time with wildlife. Because UAS Housing borders much undeveloped state land, wild animals frequent student housing, especially during the spring, summer, and fall. Students and guests will see deer, porcupine, and black bear, amongst smaller critters. Guests are warned not to provoke, tease, crowd, or torment these animals.
Black bears are occasionally present on campus when not in hibernation. Guests can take a few simple steps to keep themselves, and the bears, safe. Student housing was built over several bear trails when it was constructed in 1985. Bears are sometimes drawn to student housing due to the density of berries along its edges and the temptation of trash.
Preventive bear safety precautions
- All garbage must be secured immediately in the dumpster sheds, and all locks and hasps secured on the shed door. Bear claw marks can still be seen on the doors beneath the paint that has covered them.
- Animal products from fishing and hunting, including bones and skins, should never be left where the animal was cleaned. All remnants must be wrapped in a plastic bag, sealed or tied shut, and deposited in the dumpster. Fluids should be rinsed away from the ground with water, and picnic tables should be scrubbed with soap or bleach water.
- Juneau city ordinances prohibit leaving out birdseed, squirrel feed, or other wildlife food outside of bear hibernation season.
- Guests who see black bears should take care to stay away from the bears. Usually the bears will scamper off into the woods when they realize they have company. However, bears that have found berries or food may be less inclined to abandon their meal. Drawing crowds with cameras to the bears is a very irresponsible, as is attempting to corner the bear, restrict its movements, or provoking it in any other way.
- Mother bears with cubs are even more dangerous, as they may easily feel that their cubs are in danger. Guests should take the following precautions if they spend time in the wilderness or if they encounter a bear either on or off campus.
Precautions in Campgrounds and Picnic Areas:
- Do not cook or store food in or near your tent
- Keep a clean campsite by properly disposing of garbage, washing your dishes, and wiping down table tops
- Hang food and anything with strong odors (toothpaste, bug repellent, soap, etc.) out of the reach of bears, if possible (at least ten feet above the ground and five feet from the tree trunk). If no trees are available, store your food in airtight or specially designed bear-proof containers.
- Avoid taking odorous foods (they attract bears) and keep food smells off your clothing.
- Burn food-laden garbage completely in a hot fire and pack & carry trash out (don't bury it). Food and garbage are equally attractive to a bear so treat them with equal care.
On the Trail or in the Backcountry:
- Avoid surprising bears at close range. If you are hiking through bear country, make your presence known, particularly where the terrain or vegetation makes it hard to see. Make noise, sing, talk loudly, or wear a bell.
- If possible, travel with a group. Groups are noisier and easier for bears to detect.
- Bears may be active at any time of the day or night, but they tend to be more active at dawn and dusk. Plan your hikes accordingly and stay on established trails.
- There are several indicators that may alert a backcountry traveler that a bear is in the area. Some of the most easily identifiable clues include rub trees, diggings, scat, and tracks. Identifying these clues may help to prevent an encounter.
- If you have a dog with you, put it on a leash if you see signs that a bear may be nearby. Bears and dogs don’t mix.
If You Encounter a Bear:
- Remain calm and avoid sudden movements.
- Give the bear plenty of room, allowing it to continue its activities undisturbed. Every bear has a zone of danger or personal space -- that is, the distance within which a bear feels threatened. If it changes its natural behavior (feeding, foraging or movement) because of your presence, you are too close. If you stray within that comfort zone, a bear may react aggressively in the form of a bluff charge, bodily contact, or even an outright attack.
- If you spot a bear and the bear is unaware of you, detour quickly and quietly away.
- If spotted by a bear, try to get its attention while it is a good distance away. Help the bear to recognize that you are human, by talking to it in a normal voice or waving your arms. If a bear cannot tell what you are, it may come closer or stand on its hind legs to get a better look or smell. A standing bear is usually curious, not threatening.
- Some bears will bluff their way out of a threatening situation by charging, then veering off or stopping abruptly at the last second. Bear experts generally recommend standing still until the bear stops and then slowly backing away.
- Never run from a bear. Running may elicit a chase from an otherwise non-aggressive bear, and since they can run faster than 30 mph, you have no chance of outrunning them.
- Never feed or toss food to a bear.
- Climbing a tree to avoid bears is popular advice but not very practical in many circumstances. All black bears, all grizzly cubs, and some adult grizzlies can climb trees. Running to a tree may provoke an otherwise uncertain bear to chase you.
- Throw something onto the ground (like a camera) if the bear pursues you, as it may be distracted by this and allow you to escape.
- If you carry bear spray, be sure that you have been trained with it before trusting it during an attack.
Any cruelty to animals will not be tolerated 
Guests may not hunt or trap animals ajacent to the campus. Alaska state law prohibits anyone from removing any body parts or "sovenirs" from large game, including bears, even if the animal was found dead. The Alaska Department of Fish & Game remove such animals to monitor population statistics. Guests who find a deceased bear should report it to the ADFG.
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