It's That Time of Year: Bears are Out

The arrival of spring for those of us in the outdoor community means it is time for skiing some late season backcountry ski objectives, hiking, mountain biking, or even trail running. With spring’s arrival though comes the possibility of encountering a bear. Most of Canada is black bear habitat while much of British Columbia, all of the Yukon and Northwest Territories, and parts of Alberta are also grizzly bear habitat. Before heading out on any wilderness adventures over the coming months it’s a good idea to be prepared and know what to do in case you do come across a big, or small Bruin.

One of the main things you can do to ensure safety is travel in a group. 4-6 people is a good idea because groups make more noise and bears are less likely to challenge a larger group. At a minimum two people is better than heading out solo.

Carry bear spray. Even in a group it’s a good idea for all members to carry it. If the group gets spread out and an incident does happen to someone other members can intervene with the spray. Carrying bear spray also means knowing how to use it
If you are on a bike, slow down, especially around blind corners. Be sure to make noise as you ride. Holler out something every minute or so, even if it means feeling stupid. It’s much easier to surprise a bear when riding a bike than it is when travelling on foot.

Try to get any information you can about bear activity where you plan to go. Check local ski, mountaineering, hiking, or cycling pages on Facebook to see if anyone has posted about bear encounters. Also check trail reports on Provincial or National Park websites.

Remember too that even if you are on snow it doesn’t mean bears aren’t around. Bears can be active at any elevation in the spring and summer.

If you do come across a bear don’t panic. Stay calm, talk to the bear, don’t look it directly in the eyes, and back up slowly.  Don’t run.

In general, don't let the thought of a bear encounter ruin your plans to tackle that couloir you've had your eye on. Bear attacks are rare and seeing a bear in the wild is a special experience.