What do you do when you see a bear?
According to the Conservation Officer Services bear encounters webpage, if you see a bear in your community, remain calm, often the bear is just passing through. Keep away from the bear, bring your children and pets indoors and notify your neighbors. If the bear is being persistent, threatening or aggressive, contact the Conservation Officer Services at 1-877-952-RAPP (7277).
What can one do to "Bear-proof" their back yard?
There are several key tips to follow to eliminate bear attractants in your back yard. Learn more about managing bear attractants.
What do you do if you see a Bear in your back yard?
Stay indoors, make sure your children and pets are safe. Make loud noises to let the bear know your home and it is unwanted such as an Air horn and/or banging pots together from the safety of your home. Make sure the bear has an escape route. If the bear is being persistent, threatening or aggressive, contact the Conservation Officer Services at 1-877-952-RAPP (7277).
What can I do when Camping/Hiking?
Camping in the wilderness can provide great entertainment, as long as a bear doesn't ruin your stay. If possible make sure you keep attractants such as food or even toothpaste out and away from your sleeping quarters. Keep your attractants in a sealed container high above ground on a platform or suspended between two trees at a minimum of 10 feet above the ground. Keep your camp clean --- Safely stash food and trash and wipe down picnic tables. Make sure BBQ's are cleaned and covered. Avoid scented toiletries and cosmetics. Also, pack out what you packed in. That means take all you garbage when you leave. Never bury garbage!
When hiking you are out hiking, especially around berry patches or streams where bears may be frequent, make noise to let bears know your in the area. You can also keep and eye out for signs that bears are in the area. Bear scat, turned up ground, destroyed stumps or roots, and tracks are all good signs to keep an eye open for. Carry Bear spray for protection and make sure you're familiar on how to use the bear spray.
