Unless you're a morning person, the groggy, slightly grumpy feeling of crawling out of bed might be a familiar one — not unlike Alberta's grizzly and black bears emerging from hibernation this spring.

The provincial government is reminding the public to be on alert when spending time outdoors near bear habitats, as the furry giants search for food after a long winter sleep and may wander closer to trails, roads, campsites, and residential areas.

"As bears return to the landscape, we ask everyone enjoying Alberta's trails, parks and great outdoors to be alert and take the necessary steps to avoid conflicts," said Todd Loewen, Minister of Forestry and Parks. "Bear safety is a shared responsibility, and simple precautions can help prevent serious encounters."

As if he'd heard the province's announcement, famous Albertan grizzly 'the Boss' was seen in lower Bow Valley last week. Estimates put the massive male bear at approximately 450 pounds.

If you're looking to avoid an encounter with the Boss or his friends, the province advises travelling in groups and staying on official trails, as well as making noise regularly to avoid surprising a bear.