Increasing bear populations have led to unusual measures in certain parts of the country.

The Anchorage Daily News reports that Alaskan biologists plan to tranquilize bears in the Russian River area and dye their fur so hikers and fishermen can report which bears are giving them a bad time. That way, when the biologists have to shoot a bear, they are more likely to get the right one.

The plan is to give the bears a shampoo, bleach the hair around their heads, shoulders and hindquarters, and then apply green, orange, blue or yellow dye. The story doesn’t say, but I suppose a green bear would be fairly harmless, whereas an orange one would be dangerous.

A blond bear might be unpredictable or a bit whimsical.

The U.S. Forest Service will also install grinders along the river so fishermen can dispose of fish carcasses and avoid attracting bears. Again, the story is unclear whether the bears will be allowed to use the grinders, too.

I know some readers might think this is unfair, but I suspect the Forest Service will dye some fishermen, also. In situations like this, every effort must be made to protect the bears.

The Forest Service plans to hire two protection officers to patrol the river and educate fishermen about bear safety. These officers will issue citations to folks who stray more than a few feet from their lunch or their fish. The bears quickly learn whose fish and whose lunch can be had without a tussle.

Projects such as this are going on all over the West. I recently received a copy of an e-mail that refers to efforts to protect bears from golfers near Montana’s Gallatin, Helena and Lewis and Clark national forests.

The Montana Department of Fish and Wildlife advises golfers to take some precautions here. They suggest  golfers wear noise-producing devices, such as little bells, on their clothing so the bears won’t be startled.

Everyone knows the worst thing we can do is surprise a bear. If we are planning a party, for example, we should make sure the bear knows beforehand.

Besides, I’ve always thought golfers who are out in the woods surprising bears need to take some more lessons.

The Department of Fish and Wildlife also suggests golfers carry pepper spray. A large can is recommended, but the most important thing is to make sure your pepper spray isn’t the same size as your Right Guard. Spraying a bear with Right Guard makes him smell better, but that’s about it.

Lastly, golfers should learn to distinguish between black bear and grizzly bear droppings near the golf course. Black bear droppings are smaller and often contain berries and rodent fur.

Grizzly bear droppings contain little bells and smell like pepper spray.

Readers with questions or comments for Roger Pond may write to him in care of this publication.