Updated

It's that time of the year when Alaska residents should be taking down bird feeders and securing garbage cans.

That's because authorities with the Alaska Department of Fish and Game say bears should be waking up and leaving their dens any day now.

The Anchorage Daily News says there's usually a few human-bear encounters reported in April. But area biologist Dave Battle says that number usually spikes in May.

Bird feeders typically turn into bear feeders, so those temptations should be removed. Battle also says residents should keep their trash in bear-proof cans or inside until pickup day.