INCLINE VILLAGE, Nev. -- Despite a healthy snowpack that covers most of their habitat, some black bears are beginning to emerge from hibernation and draw wildlife officials' attention at Lake Tahoe.

Carl Lackey, a biologist for the Nevada Department of Wildlife, said he set a trap last week for a bear that was sighted and showed little fear of humans in Incline Village on Tahoe's north shore.

Lackey said bear sightings are uncommon, but not unheard of this early in the year.

"Late March is a little more common for bear sightings, but we've had bears that are active all winter, so this isn't too unusual," he told the North Lake Tahoe Bonanza.

Lackey also responded to a report of a small bear that has been living under a couple's back deck in Incline Village.

Penny and Allen Misher said the bear has come and gone from under their deck for about six weeks and devoured three small pine trees in their backyard.

Lackey said the bear also caused minor damage to the deck's lattice work, but that he was unable to locate it.

Madonna Dunbar, a member of the multi-agency Sierra Bear Front, said Washoe County officials around Reno are embarking on a campaign to educate the public about bears.

The program will include television and radio advertising about how the public can reduce conflicts with the animals.

"Basically, we want people to know a fed bear is a dead bear," Dunbar said. "They need to lock up their Dumpsters and stash their trash."

To lure the bear that showed little fear of people into the trap, Lackey left maple syrup-covered cookies and cream-filled oatmeal cookies.

The trap was placed near the Incline Village General Improvement District's administrative offices.