Visiting Bear Country

Bears can be found in provincial parks and protected areas throughout the province (not just in mountain parks!). As a result of human activity, bear habitats have become more fragmented and encounters between bears and humans more common. Preventing bear encounters is the best option for people and for bears.

The best method to avoid bear encounters

• Remain alert.
• Shouting regularly or singing loudly is far more effective than using bear bells.
• Keep your ears open. Do not wear headphones or earbuds while on trails.
• Watch for fresh bear signs. Tracks, scat and digs indicate that a bear has been in the area. Leave the area if the signs are fresh or if you encounter carrion.
• Travel in groups and during daylight whenever possible.
• Keep your dog on a leash or leave it at home.
• Be aware of any attractants you may have and store them correctly.
• Carry and know how to use bear spray.
• When in Kananaskis Country, report bear sightings to Kananaskis Emergency Services at 403-591-7755.
• If you are outside Kananaskis Country, report bear sightings to 310-LAND (5263)

In campgrounds

• Always keep your campsite free of garbage.
• Store food (including pet food) and toilet articles such as soap and toothpaste in the trunk of your vehicle; never take these items into your tent or tent trailer.
• Seal garbage in plastic bags; use bear-proof bins to dispose of garbage.
• Water used for cleaning dishes and bathing should be disposed of in toilets or sealed in plastic bags and placed in bear-proof bins.
• Never burn scrap food; bears have an extremely good sense of smell and are attracted by food odours.

If you encounter a bear

• STOP! STAY CALM. Your calm behaviour can reassure the bear. Screams or sudden movements may trigger an attack.
• NEVER RUN - running may cause the bear to pursue you.
• Pick up small children and stay in a group.
• Bears may approach or stand on their hind legs to get a better look at you or to pick up your scent. This is their way of identifying you and is not an aggressive response.
• BE HUMAN. Speak to the bear calmly and firmly. This indicates that you are not a prey animal. Appear passive.
• If you have bear (pepper) spray, get your hands on it and be ready to use it. Take note of the direction and strength of the wind.
• Keep your backpack, hiking poles and other equipment - they can provide protection.

If the bear approaches you

• Remain calm and prepare to use your bear spray.
• Assess the bear's behaviour and try to determine why it is approaching.

If the bear appears defensive

• A defensive bear may be feeding or protecting young or you may simply have surprised it - this is why it is imperative that you shout or sing regularly while on the trail.
• A defensive bear will appear stressed or agitated and may make noise.
• Try to appear non-threatening. Talk in a calm voice.
• Whenever the bear is not advancing, slowly move away without turning your back to the bear.
• If the bear continues to advance, stand your ground and keep talking. If the bear approaches to within 4 metres (12 feet or about a car length), use your bear spray.
• Note that some brands of bear spray can be used at a distance of up to 9 metres (30 feet) depending on wind and weather. Always check the instructions on the bottle when you purchase it.

If the bear does not appear defensive

• Young bears occasionally test their dominance or are curious. In the rarest of cases, a bear could be predatory.
• Speak in a firm voice.
• Move out of the bear's path.
• If it follows you, stop and stand your ground.
• Shout and act aggressively.
• Try to intimidate the bear. Pick up a stick and/or raise hiking poles above your head to appear larger.
• If it approaches to within 4 metres (12 feet or about a car length), use your bear spray.

Understanding defensive vs predatory attacks

Defensive attacks are the most common.

• Use your bear spray.
• If the bear makes contact with you, play dead! Playing dead involves lying on your stomach with your legs spread apart and your hands interlaced behind your neck to protect it. Having your legs spread makes it harder for the bear to roll you over. Remain still until you are sure the bear has left the area.
• Defensive attacks usually do not exceed two minutes in duration. In most cases, injuries are relatively minor. If an attack lasts longer, it is possible that the defensive attack has become predatory.

Predatory attacks occur when a bear stalks you along a trail and then attacks, or when an attack occurs at night.

• Try to escape! A car or building may provide safe refuge. Climbing a tree is an option but offers no guarantee of safety. Black bears are excellent climbers and grizzlies have also been known to climb trees. If you choose to climb a tree, get as high up in the tree as you can as quickly as possible. Once you have a safe perch, prepare to use your bear spray.
• If you cannot escape, DO NOT play dead.
• Use your bear spray and fight back! Make lots of noise, throw rocks, hit the animal with a branch or your poles - do everything you can to dissuade the bear from continuing the attack.

Bear Safety when Driving

• If you see bears or other wildlife along the roadside, please don’t stop. Drive by slowly instead.
• If you must stop to view roadside wildlife:
  • Avoid stopping along roadways during periods of high traffic volume.
  • Do not stop at or near hill crests, corners, or sharp curves and intersections.
  • Pull vehicles well onto the shoulder and park safely off the driving lanes. Use roadside pull-offs and parking areas to help avoid traffic congestion around wildlife.
  • Use your hazard lights.
  • Remain in your vehicle.
  • Stay at least 100 metres away even if you're in a vehicle. Wild animals need their space.
  • If you get out of your vehicle, do not trample vegetated areas.
  • Traffic congestion around wildlife sometimes results in motor vehicle accidents. Drive carefully and be observant of other drivers.

Living in Bear Country

Many people live in or border our parks in bear country. We’ve gathered some advice for living in bear country.

• Keep your garbage and recyclable bottles and cans in bear-resistant, airtight containers.
• Remove bird feeders from your yard in the months when bears are active – usually from the beginning of April until the end of November. Be sure to clean up any spilled bird seed from the ground.
• Clean your barbecues. Scrub your barbecue clean after each use and store it in a bear-resistant building, such as the garage or shed.
• Consider removing fruit trees and berry-producing bushes from your property. Bears are attracted to the fruit and berries. If you must keep the trees, pick the ripening fruit as early as possible and store them in secure, airtight containers.
• Never leave food out for wildlife.
• Talk to your neighbours. Let your neighbours know if you've seen a bear in the community and talk to them about being Bear Smart at home.

Bear Safety & Fishing

• Clean fish at designated cleaning stations. If no station is available, clean fish inside a plastic bag or bucket. Then seal the guts in a plastic bag and deposit the waste in a bear proof garbage container.
• Fish with friends. Make lots of noise and keep an eye on each other.
• Stay attentive near lakeshores, rivers and creeks. These areas are used by wildlife as travel routes and feeding sites. Be alert and make as much noise as you can when fishing and moving about in these locations.
• Seal your catch in plastic bags and wash your hands.

Hunting in Bear Country

• NOTE: Hunting is only permitted in a select number of our sites. Please visit our hunting webpage for more information about where you can hunt.
• Make every effort to remove a harvested animal in one trip or, failing that, in one day.
• If you must leave a carcass at a remote field camp or other location, hang it at least 100 m from camp.
• Use extreme caution when approaching the carcass. Make lots of noise in case your kill has attracted a bear.
• If there is a bear at your kill site, don’t attempt to chase it away. Leave the site and the carcass to the bear. Report the incident to a Conservation Officer as soon as possible.

  

Continued Learning

• Check advisories which include bear and cougar advisories.
• Read more safety tips for bear encounters on the Bear and Outdoor Recreation webpage. 
• Know the difference between grizzly bears and black bears.
• Alberta BearSmart program
• Download our pamphlets.
  • Bear Smart
  • Living with Wildlife