Wildlife officials in Canmore, Alta., say fewer bear sightings in the past week mean their efforts have been paying off.

Several residents had reported seeing grizzly bears in town in recent weeks.

Since then, officers have been cutting down berry bushes in the area and have set several traps.

"We're going to be continuing that control work in the next week or so," said Darcy Whiteside, of the province's Sustainable Resource Development department.

"Continuing with that buffalo-berry removal and also reminding people to remove, if they can, crabapple trees … anything that's really an attractant."

He said officials have been going door to door, reminding homeowners to keep food inside and locked up.

He also pointed out that residents should not let their guard down just because there have been fewer sightings.

"Things have actually quieted down compared to last week," Whiteside said. 'We were seeing a lot of activity in and around Canmore, but not as many spottings of bears in the area. Of course that doesn't mean that people shouldn't be aware that, of course, Canmore is an active place for bear activity."

Whiteside also said hikers should always carry bear spray when heading out into the wilderness.

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