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Here are some tips from the
BC Ministry of the Environment
Every bear
encounter is unique.
There are no steadfast rules which can be applied to every situation.
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When on a trail, watch for signs of bears - droppings, fresh tracks, strong
scent. |
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Be careful near berry patches or the banks of streams and rivers. |
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Never approach a fresh kill. |
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Carry a noisemaker, such as a bell, or a tin can filled with a few pebbles.
Attach it to your walking stick or pack. The human voice is one of the most unfamiliar
sounds in the wilderness, so talking or singing can be effective. Be extra careful
in thick bush. |
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Never travel alone through wilderness country. Do not let children straggle
far behind or rush ahead. |
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Leave your pet at home. The excited barking of a dog can enrage a bear.
The dog may retreat to its master - and draw the bear's attack to you. Cougars
also find pet dogs easy prey. |
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Store food in the trunk of your vehicle, or make a bear-proof cache by
suspending the food in a plastic bag at least 10 feet off the ground between two
trees. |
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Avoid cooking foods that give off a strong odor, such as canned fish. Burn
out tin cans and scraps after a meal, or use dried foods. It is best not to wipe
your hands on clothes while cooking, and to avoid cooking near your tent. |
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In a campground, use garbage disposal facilities. In the backcountry, hikers
are required to pack out all garbage. Do not bury garbage. Bears can easily smell
it out and dig it up. |
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Do not pitch your camp where you find fresh tracks or droppings or along
a trail clearly used by animals. |
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Be particularly careful in high winds, when an animal may not be able to
pick up your scent soon enough to avoid you. |
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Female bears with cubs are especially dangerous. Never approach a cub,
even if it seems to be alone, and never get between a cub and its mother. |
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Evidence indicates that bears are likely to be more aggressive toward
those wearing scented cosmetics, hair spray, or deodorant. |
A fed bear is a dead bear.
Most people are not aware of their role in the destruction of bears. If humans
allow bears to access non-natural food sources such as garbage, they help to create
"problem" bears. In most cases, "problem" bears are destroyed.
Canadian
Wildlife Service: Hinterland Who's Who
Extensive information about black bears. |
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| Bear Encounters |
If you meet a bear, it will most likely run away. But
bears can be unpredictable. Learn to recognize the signs of a bear attack and
above all:
1. Stay
calm
2. Face the bear without making eye contact
3. Back away slowly
4. Do not challenge the bear by making eye contact
5. Do not run |
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The signs of attack are growling, with ears laid back. A bear rearing up
on its hind legs is probably taking a more careful sniff to make certain of who
you are. |
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Running or waving of the arms will only provoke a bear. |
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If the bear is close, back away slowly, talking as calmly as possible,
towards a tree or behind rocks or into a gully. Do not do anything suddenly. |
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If a bear should cross your trail. Stop and
wait another bear may be behind it and coming after it. You don't want to get
between bears, expecially Mom and cubs. |
Should a charge be unavoidable, protect your stomach, thighs and neck by
lying down on the ground in a hunched position with knees drawn up to the chest
and hands clasped over your neck.
The bear may try to maul you but it will do less damage if you can manage to
lie still.
Usually the bear will retreat immediately after the attack.
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Bear Encounter
In July 2003 I was sitting up from the water on a beach just outside of the
Village of Tofino with a friend. The beach was rocky and we had made a lot of
noise when we walked on it earlier. My friend said to me quietly, Look. There
was a black bear walking along the ocean edge and in our direction up the beach.
It was not making a sound walking over the rocks!
I thought back to the tips on this page. |
We sat still with our heads lowered, not looking straight at the bear (we could
not help taking sidelong glances). It passed in front of us, within 20 feet, just
going about it's day. We breathed a sigh of relief then excitement that we had
been graced by the presence of such a magnificient animal.
(And no, this is not a picture of
that bear.
This bear above was photographed just outside Tofino.) |
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| About Cougars |
 Cougars are the largest of several wild cats living in British Columbia. Their fur color ranges from reddish-brown to grey-brown, with lighter underparts and no markings. The long tail is a prominent feature.
Cougars are rarely seen and attacks on humans are rare. Documented attacks
usually show the cougar is injured or starving. It is important not to let small children venture alone into the bush where cougars are known to be present. |
Canadian
Wildlife Service: Hinterland Who's Who
Extensive information about cougars. |
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| Cougar Encounters |
1.
Make yourself as BIG as possible
2. Wave Your Arms
3. Grab a stick and wave it too
4. Slowly Back Away Facing the Cougar
5. MAKE NOISE
6. Stay Calm
7. Do not turn and run |
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Cougars are rarely seen in the wild, but encounters do happen. If you should
come across a cougar, the best way to repel it is to make yourself look as big
as possible by waving your arms. If possible, grab a nearby stick and wave it
too. Slowly back away. Make noise. |
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Tofino Black Bear
