Bear Safety in the Canadian Rockies
Hiking in the Canadian Rockies means you must be Bear Aware at all times. I’ve come up with a blog of tips, resources and product suggestions to ensure you feel comfortable when adventuring in prime Grizzly Country. Here are your bear safety tips in the Canadian Rockies:
Identifying types of bears
Black Bears & Grizzly Bears are the two distinct bears in the Canadian Rockies to be aware of. Cinnamon Bears is a subspecies of the black bear, so it can become difficult to tell the difference between bears. The main things to pay attention to are the colour, size, shape, head, ears and claws. Here is a image to show the difference between each to help you identify:
How to avoid a bear encounter in the Canadian Rockies
Make lots of noise
Watch for fresh bear signs
Keep your dogs on a leash at all times, or leave them at home
Travel in larger group sizes
Use official marked paths
Follow seasonal guidelines
What to carry incase of a bear encounter
Bear Spray
Bear Spray is a deterrent containing capsaicin, a chemical found in chili peppers. It comes in a small, portable spray canister and is intended to repel a bear in the event of a close encounter. The canister releases a cone-shaped cloud of pepper spray to a distance of approximately 10 m and at a speed of over 100 km/h. When a bear walks into the spray, its eyes and skin will sting and it will have difficulty breathing—symptoms nasty enough to prompt a retreat. The spray is non-lethal: the bear will be uncomfortable, but unharmed. En route to the trail, carry it with the safety clip on in the trunk of your vehicle or in a sealed container. Avoid temperature extremes and the risk of puncturing. It is not permissible to carry bear spray on a commercial airline, even in your checked baggage.
Bear spray is your “last-resort” tool: have it ready, but try to calmly and slowly get out of the bear’s way first. If the bear comes towards you, yell “Hey Bear!” The bear has to be in close range (less than a bus length) for your spray to be effective. Use only if the bear acts aggressively. Remove the safety clip and aim for the bear’s face (make sure the nozzle is pointing away from you). You want to create a wall of spray between you and the bear. Give quick, one-second bursts until the bear retreats. Leave the area immediately. Wind or rain may reduce the spray’s effectiveness; be careful not to get in the path of the spray.
Proper food storage
You can purchase specific bear-safe food storage bins to bring with you into the backcountry. Click on the photo to be directed to one from REI:
Is bear spray more effective than a gun?
Yes. It is.
“Spray More Effective Than Guns Against Bears: Study” — Article, CBC
Efficacy of Bear Deterrent Spray in Alaska — 2008 Study
Efficacy of firearms for bear deterrence in Alaska — 2013 Study
Statistically, bear spray is more effective at deterring a charging bear. In a study done in 2008, researchers analyzed 83 bear spray incidents (61 brown bears, 20 black bears and two polar bear). Red Pepper spray proved over 90% successful on stopping the bear’s “undesirable” activity. 98% of people involved in these incidents were unharmed by the bear. However, fourteen percent of the incidents resulted in negative side effects upon the human (they were effected by the spray) and three percent left the user incapacitated.
In similar study on firearms (Smith et. al. 2012), they were effective 84% with handguns and 76% with rifles to stop bears from undesirable behaviour. The study analyzed 269 bear-human conflicts in Alaska from 1883-2009. The study said, “firearm bearers suffered the same injury rates in close encounters with bears whether they used firearms or not.” Basically, firearms didn’t statistically keep people from getting injured by bears. This means that people shot bears that still attacked them. They concluded by saying, “Our findings suggest that only those proficient in firearms use should rely on them for protection in bear country.” (Copyright The Wildlife Society). I think we would all like to think we are “proficient” but the truth is, even as hunters, we all aren’t. Firearm accuracy in the heat of a fast, stressful and real-life situation isn’t easily tested.
The arguments against bear spray typically revolve around the wind blowing the spray back into your face and not hitting the bear. This is a legit concern, but it would be rare that this would happen. It’s like stacking two highly unlikely scenarios on top of each, yes it could happen, but it probably won’t. However, it is possible for bear spray to not affect a bear, such as happened with Montana resident Todd Orr. He sprayed a sow that attacked him, but it didn’t stop her. He sustained some serious, but not life threatening injuries. In his words, “Bear spray doesn’t always work, but it’s better than nothing.”
If you encounter a bear
If the bear does not see you:
Don't attract attention. Leave the way you came without calling attention to yourself. Retreat slowly while keeping your eye on the bear. Never run.
If you must move forward, give the bear a wide berth. If you have no choice but to move forward, give the bear as much space as you can.
Stay quiet and alert. Even if you think you are a safe distance away from the bear, remain quiet, alert and calm. Continue watching for the bear until you reach your destination.
If the bear does see you. Is it defensive? Or non-defensive?
If a bear is defensive, it is likely either feeding/protecting its young and/or surprised by your presence, and they see you as a threat. A defensive bear will usually vocalize or appear stressed. If a bear is non-defensive, it is either interested in your food, curious, or see you as prey and it may be predatory. A bear will likely be intent on you with its head and ears up.
Do not run. Stay calm. Stay with your group and keep children close. Assess the situation.
Look around. If you see cubs or an animal carcass, the bear will want to protect them. If you see either, back away from them.
Prepare to use your bear spray.
Back out. Leave the area the way that you came. Keep your eye on the bear without staring at it aggressively.
Watch for a place to hide. As you back away, seek out a place of safety, such as a car or building.
Speak to the bear in a soft, low voice. Let the bear know that you are human and not a prey animal.
Use your noisemaker and prepare to defend yourself with bear spray.
If you encounter a bear at close range when you're on your bike:
step off your bike and walk slowly away:
keep your bike between you and the bear:
do not try to outrun or out-cycle the bear; and
leave the area the way you came if you spot a bear from a distance.
If the bear approaches/attacks
Defensive
Do not run. Stay calm, make no sudden movements and do not act in a threatening manner.
Speak to the bear in a soft, low voice. Speaking calmly to the bear lets it know that you are not a prey animal and helps to keep you calm and focused.
Keep the group together. Gather children in close and do not let anyone leave the group.
Prepare to use your bear spray.
Back away slowly without turning your back to the bear.
If the bear charges, do not run. Stand your ground. A bear may come very close to you when making a bluff charge, and it may make more than one bluff charge. NEVER run.Remember that bluff charges are made to communicate that you've invaded the bear's space and it wants you to move off. The majority of bluff charges are, in fact, bluffs, and do not end with the bear making contact. Shooting the bear out of fear in bluff situations may result in the needless death of a bear.
When the bear approaches, use your bear spray
Non-Defensive/Predatory
Do not run. Prepare to fight with all means at your disposal. Do not play dead in a predatory encounter.
Make yourself look big and shout at the bear. Yell aggressively at the bear and stand on a rock or a tree stump to remind the bear that you are not easy prey.
Use your noisemaker and bear spray. Continue to use your bear spray, even when in close contact with the bear.
Pick up rocks or sticks to use as weapons. Aim at the bear's eyes, face and nose.
If the bear makes contact, fight back as forcefully as you can.
Tips for Camping in Bear Country
Choose your campsite wisely. Camp away from wildlife trails, tree cover, water bodies, shrubs and berry patches.
Leave space. Place tents, trailers, vehicles and horses with enough room between them so curious bears have enough room to escape.
Use airtight containers. Store anything that can attract a bear, such as food, toiletries, or pet food, in airtight containers and keep them at least 100 metres from your sleeping area.
Store garbage in plastic bags and pack it out.
Never abandon, bury or partially burn food scraps. Bears have an excellent sense of smell and will be driven to investigate lingering food odours. Burn food scraps completely to ashes.
Be cautious when moving around the camp at night. Remember to use your flashlight.
Keep your horses and your dogs nearby. Agitated animals may alert you to the presence of a bear. Keep horses and dogs where you are able to hear their warnings.
Use electric fencing. Use portable electric fencing to secure your animals and your camp.
Use dried foods if possible. Dried foods have less odour than fresh or canned foods.
Always store food out of reach of bears. The best practice is to store food in airtight containers away from sleeping areas. Use bear-resistant storage lockers when available or the trunk of your car. Never store food in the tent or tent-trailer where you are sleeping.
If bear-resistant storage lockers are not available, hang stored food from a tree. This should be done between two trees or from a tree branch:
at least 3.5 metres (11.5 feet) above ground;
at least 1.5 metres (5 feet) from nearby trees or other vertical access features; and
at least 100 metres (328 feet) from any tents or sleeping areas.
Never cook or eat in or near your tent. Cook a distance away and downwind from your sleeping area. Wash cooking equipment immediately and dispose of dishwater at least 100 metres (328 feet) downwind from the campsite.
Keep your campsite clean.
Roadside Viewing Tips
If you are in a bear jam (a traffic jam caused by people viewing roadside bears)
Drive by slowly instead of stopping. This is the best way to minimize your impact on a roadside bear.
Warn other motorists by flashing your hazard lights.
Be extra cautious as sight lines are often blocked by improperly parked cars.
Be on the lookout for distracted drivers, people crossing the highway, or the possibility of a bear darting out in front of you.
If you decide to stay
Pull over safely without blocking the driving lane (ideally at a pull-off).
Observe and photograph bears from the safety of your car.
View from afar. Please ensure that you are not crowding, approaching or obstructing a bear’s pathway.
How can you protect bears?
The best thing you can do for bears is to limit their exposure to you.
Consider not stopping when you see a roadside bear.
Put all garbage in bear-proof garbage bins.
Keep your picnic or camping site attractant-free. Move the food, cooler, dirty dishes, recyclables, BBQ, lotions and pet food into your vehicle, trailer or storage locker (tents are not bear-proof).
Use official trails only and leave the wild trails to wildlife.
Respect closures and group access requirements—they are in place for your safety and to give bears a chance to use critical habitat undisturbed.
Pay attention to warnings—follow recommendations. Be careful when travelling through these areas, or choose a different route.
Some access restrictions are routinely in effect during certain times of the year.
Banff National Park:
Yoho National Park:
McArthur Valley
Odaray Highline Trail
Kootenay National Park:
Sinclair Creek – Kindersley Pass Trail
Glacier National Park:
Illecillewaet Valley
Asulkan Valley
Balu Pass
Bear Safety Information Resources
Bear Safety — Parks Canada
The “Bare” Campsite Program — Parks Canada
Canadian Pacific Joint Grizzly Bear Research Initiative — Parks Canada
Protecting Bear Zones — Parks Canada
WildsafeBC
Be Bear Smart — AlbertaParks
Bears & Outdoor Recreation — Alberta Government