Bear Country
Bears are naturally wary of humans, and generally choose to
avoid us. However, bears may threaten and even attack people when they become
accustomed to humans, when they are surprised, or when they are forced to
defend themselves, their young or their food.
Reduce Your Risk
Make noise! Let bears know you're there - call out, clap
hands, sing or talk loudly especially near streams, dense vegetation and berry
patches, on windy days, and in areas of low visibility. Travel in groups, on
established paths and trails, and during daylight hours. Keep food smells away
from bears by properly storing food, garbage and food-related items, day and
night, wherever you are. Even empty pet food bowls can attract bears. Stay
alert, stay alive! Watch for bears in the area and for their sign - tracks,
droppings, diggings, torn-up logs, and turned-over rocks. Leave the area if you
see fresh sign.
If you come across large dead animals, leave the area
immediately and report it to Park Wardens.
Dispose of fish offal in fast moving streams or the deep
part of a lake, never along streamsides or lakeshores. Never approach or feed a
bear. Keep a distance of at least 100 metres. Report all sightings of bears to
park staff.
If You Encounter a Bear
Bears are very intelligent and complex animals. Each bear
and each encounter is unique; there is no single strategy that will work in all
situations. Some guidelines:
Stay calm. Most bears don't want to attack you; they usually
want to avoid you and ensure you're not a threat. Bears may bluff their way out
of an encounter by charging and then turning away at the last second. Bears may
also react defensively by woofing, growling, snapping their jaws, and laying
their ears back. Immediately pick up small children and stay in a group. Don't
drop your pack. It can provide protection. Back away slowly, never run! Bears
can run as fast as a racehorse, both uphill and downhill. Talk calmly and
firmly. If a bear rears on its hind legs and waves its nose about, it is trying
to identify you. Remain still and talk calmly so it knows you are a human and
not a prey animal. A scream or sudden movement may trigger an attack. Leave the
area or take a detour. If this is impossible, wait until the bear moves away.
Always leave the bear an escape route.
Bear Attacks
Bears do not like surprises.
Try to avoid such encounters by being alert and making
noise.
If you surprise a bear and it defends itself:
If you have bear spray, use it. If contact has occurred or
is imminent, PLAY DEAD! Lie on your stomach with legs apart. Protect your face,
the back of your head and neck with your arms. Remain still until the bear
leaves the area. These attacks seldom last more than a few minutes. While
fighting back usually increases the intensity of such an attack, in some cases
it has caused the bear to leave. If the attack continues for more than several
minutes, consider fighting back.
If a bear stalks you and then attacks, or attacks at
night:
DON'T PLAY DEAD - FIGHT BACK! First - try to escape,
preferably to a building, car or up a tree. If you can't escape, or if the bear
follows, use bear spray, or shout and try to intimidate the bear with a branch
or rock. Do whatever it takes to let the bear know you are not easy prey. This
kind of attack is very rare but can be very serious because it often means the
bear is looking for food and preying on you.
Bear Spray?
Effectiveness is not guaranteed!
Recent research indicates that bear spray can be effective
against some bears when used properly. If you plan to carry it, be aware that
wind, spray distance, rain and product shelf life can all influence how well it
works. Carefully read directions on the can prior to your trip. The best way to
live safely with bears is to avoid contact with them.
http://www.worldweb.com/parkscanada-kootenay/visinfoe.html
http://www.worldweb.com/parkscanada-banff/hazards.html
http://www.worldweb.com/parkscanada-banff/bears.html
