Bear Matters BC

By Abby Pond
Jun 14 2006
Since the spring thaw began, I have heard many stories about bear encounters from hikers, walkers, bikers, and campers recreating in the forests and trails around Revelstoke. This year, though we have had few bears reported within town, an unusual number of bears have been sighted by people enjoying the outdoors.
There are no hard and fast reasons why more people are seeing bears this year. While speculation is fun, it doesn’t change the fact that we live and play in bear country and must know how to respond to bears if we encounter them.
Bears have been seen at Mt. MacPherson, Mt. Mackenzie, Mt. Revelstoke, along the Illecillewaet, near the greenbelt, along Airport Way, and basically everywhere else! It is spring, the bears are roaming about looking for food, mates, and all the good things life can bring. It is essential that you know how these bears behave, why they do the things they do, and how you should behave if you encounter them. At this particular time of year, mating couples and females with cubs are particularly dangerous to surprise.
Here are some brief tips for walkers, hikers, and cyclists for personal safety:
Make noise and travel in groups. Sing, clap, and talk your way along. It is especially important for cyclists to make noise, as you are traveling much faster and are more apt to startle a bear.
Learn to recognize bear signs: poop on the trail, scratches on a tree, or tracks. Avoid areas with this signs.
Bears are more active in the early morning and late evening. If you can, avoid entering bear habitat during those times.
If you see a bear and it doesn’t see you, leave the area the way you came, slowly and quietly. If the bear sees you, talk to it in a low voice to let the bear identify you.
If a bear does not run away from you, slowly back away. If the bear charges, stand your ground and DO NOT RUN. Do not climb a tree.
Keep young children and pets at your side at all times. Do not allow your dogs to roam off leash.
If you are in bear country often, carry a bear deterrent such as bear spray.
If you have concerns about bears, I strongly urge you to watch the video Staying Safe in Bear Country. It is an excellent resource.
It is important that we inform ourselves as much as possible about bears and their behaviour. For more information about bears, visit our Website at www.revelstokebearaware.org. If you see a bear or have a bear encounter, please call 1-877-952 RAPP.
If you would like more information about bear behaviour or bear safety, please call 837-5507 or send us an email at beaware@telus.net. Stay Safe!
Abby Pond is Revelstoke’s Bear Aware Coordinator