Anchorage Hiker's Close Bear Encounter

0:00It's April 16th. Anchorage News Today starts now, AI-powered and ready. An Anchorage hiker, named David Wattsjold, had a close call on the turnigan arm trail this week. He was chilling on a bench when a black bear popped up just 20 feet away. He stood to grab his bear spray and camera, and the bear turned tail and dashed off down the path. Video from his phone caught the whole thing, a healthy looking two-year-old black bear high-telling it in the other direction. Officials say bears are coming out of hibernation now, with multiple black bear sightings around Anchorage, and even one brown bear in Eagle River. Folks are buzzing about it, reminding everyone to lock down attractants like trash and bird feeders. Put garbage out only on pick a morning, or you could get hit with a $320 fine for negligent feeding of wildlife. Fishing game experts stress-prepping right, hiking groups, make noise, carry bear spray, and keep dogs leashed. If you spot a bear, whether black or brown, stand your ground, puff up big, talk calmly

1:02to it, and have your spray ready, whatever you do, don't run. Report any bear run-ins or trash rates to local fishing game or Alaska Wildlife Troopers quick, so they can shut down trouble before it grows. Bears are back in the mix, so play it smart out there.