(Ashland, OR) -- The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife is warning residents and visitors in Ashland to be bear-aware. The department says this is the time year when bears leave hibernation looking for easy meals. ODF-and-W says people should never feed bears. Residents should use locking garbage cans or put garbage out right before pickup. They should keep pet food inside, remove bird feeders, and keep barbecue grills clean. Last year in Ashland, there were 62 bear-related complaints, which was down from 103 in 2020.