A dead black bear dumped near the radio tower on Dimond Ridge Road last week, was likely shot after becoming a nuisance, an Alaska Bureau of Wildlife Enforcement officer said Wednesday.

Trooper Todd VanLiere said the bear had been shot at least twice and was not bleeding by the time he arrived.

VanLiere said they have no leads at this time as to who shot the bear.

Bears that become food conditioned often cause problems, said Thomas McDonough, area biologist for the Alaska Department of Fish and Game.

Four such black bears were killed in the Homer area last year, McDonough said.

Garbage left outside seems to be the largest attractant, but fish smokers, chicken coops, bird feeders and dog food also attract bears.

"Once they learn that they can forage around houses for food, everything is up for grabs," McDonough said.

Approximately 3,000 to 4,000 black bears live on the Kenai Peninsula.

Some of them follow their noses to a food source into town, causing safety problems for people and bears.

"Anywhere in Homer is fair game," McDonough said. "One that was shot last year was a block from city hall."

McDonough and VanLiere both said they hoped news of the incident would remind people that bears are awake and hungry this time of year.

It only takes one household that leaves trash out to cause a problem for the entire neighborhood, McDonough said.

People can call him at 235-8191 if they see bears getting into garbage or causing problems.

Ben Stuart can be reached at ben.stuart@homernews.com.

Steps to prevent bear problems at home

Work within your neighborhood and community to encourage others to manage their garbage, dog food, birdseed — anything that might attract a bear. Encourage your neighbors not to put out garbage for pickup the night before. If there is a bear in the neighborhood, let people know. Work together to protect your neighborhood and to conserve bears.

Store garbage and animal feed inside secure buildings or in bear-proof containers.

Keep your garbage secured until just before scheduled pickup. If you take your garbage to a collection site, do so regularly. Make sure to place it in the Dumpster and close the lid. These collection sites attract bears.

Pack your garbage out. At your weekend cabin, keep your garbage in a bear-proof container such as a steel drum fitted with a locking lid, and take it home with you. If you bury or burn your garbage, it may still attract bears.

Place your garden so it doesn't attract bears. Placing your garden in the open, away from cover and game trails, helps to discourage bears. Avoid composting anything you think a bear might like to eat.

Keep domestic animals safe. Chickens and rabbits kept in outside pens are easy and attractive prey.

Don't feed birds between early April and late October. Clean up uneaten food and seed hulls each spring when you put your feeders away.

Build an electric fence. If used properly, electric fences can keep bears out of gardens and compost piles. They can also protect cabins and domestic animals.

Source: Living in Harmony with Bears, Alaska Dpeartment of Fish and Game

Ben Stuart can be reached at ben.stuart@homernews.com.