HUMANS AND BEARS CAN LIVE TOGETHER:
It's your personal responsibility to be bear smart!

Bear Safety Essentials:
Keeping Encounters Positive and Free from Conflict

Be prepared! Learn as much as you can about bears before venturing into bear country.

Check with appropriate authorities before setting out (provincial wildlife officer, park warden, etc.) to see if there has been any reported bear activity along your planned route. Obey all trail closures and information signs.

Stay alert! Watch ahead for bears and bear signs. Claw marks on trees, tracks, trampled vegetation, or droppings are all signs that bears may be nearby. Be alert in areas of abundant bear foods or if you see plant root diggings. Overturned rocks or broken-up rotted logs often mean a bear has been foraging for insects.

Try not to surprise a bear. If a bear hears you coming, it will usually avoid you. Warn bears of your presence by talking calmly and loudly or singing, especially in dense bush, where visibility may be limited or around rivers or streams where hearing is limited. Your voice will help identify you as human and non-threatening.

Never feed a bear, either intentionally or unintentionally, by being careless with your garbage or food scraps.

Hike during daylight hours in as large a group as possible and stick together, especially in grizzly country.

If you smell or see signs of a dead animal (e.g. ravens circling), move away from the smell, making a wide detour. Leave the area if possible.

Keep all dogs on a leash and under control. Dogs may be helpful in detecting bears, but they may also agitate them and create a conflict situation.

Carry bear pepper spray or another deterrent and know how to use it.

View and photograph wildlife from established observation areas or the trail when hiking. If an animal approaches, back away in order to maintain a safe distance. Use binoculars, spotting scopes and telephoto lenses to view and photograph wild animals. This reduces stress on wildlife. Get more tips....

Bears are far more likely to enhance your wilderness experience than spoil it! Knowing how to interpret their behavior and act responsibly is part of the thrill of sharing forests and mountains with these amazing creatures.