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Wilderness Safety Guide

Bear Safety Guide
Bear Safety Guide

BEAR SAFETY GUIDE

Bears are definitely one of the most fascinating animals to be seen in the parks and also one of the most potentially dangerous. If you plan on a wilderness experience in Lake Louise for your vacation, please read over the following bear safety points. You are in Bear Country. Bears are wild animals that demand your respect. Strong and agile, they will defend themselves, their young and their territory if they feel threatened. Knowledge and alertness can help you avoid a dangerous encounter with a bear. All bears are potentially dangerous. They are unpredictable and can inflict serious injury. Because of the danger, NEVER feed or approach a bear. It is unlawful to entice, or feed bears in national parks — this is to protect both you and the animals.

TIPS FOR SAFE CAMPING

Put away food and garbage.Lock food in the trunk of your vehicle or hang it a minimum of four metres off the ground between two trees. Note: Lake Louise campground has lockers available so bring a lock. Do not cook or eat near your tent, tent trailer or RV. Use a flashlight at night — the use of a flashlight may warn them away.

TIPS FOR SAFE HIKING

Bears feel threatened if surprised. Hike in a group and make loud noises. Whistle, talk, sing, or carry a noise-maker such as bells or a can containing stones. Be especially alert when traveling into the wind--The bear may not get your scent and be warned of your presence. Watch for bear signs. Tracks, fresh diggings and droppings can be an indication a bear is in the area. Stay away from dead animals and berry patches — these are important food sources for bears. NEVER approach a bear especially a bear cub. Leave your dog at home. A dog often infuriates a bear and may bring on an attack. Your pet may come running back to you with a bear in a raging pursuit.

BACKCOUNTRY CAMPING SAFETY

In the backcountry, camp in designated campgrounds. If you spot fresh bear signs, choose another area. Avoid odourous foods. Cache food away from your tent. Pack out all garbage, don't bury it. Burning food scraps is not recommended, but if you must burn food scraps, burn them to ash. Avoid scented cosmetics. Bears may be attracted to perfumes, hair sprays and soaps. Women should be extra careful. Bears are extremely attracted to women during their menstrual cycle. Bear Confrontations Make a wide detour or leave the area. Do not run. Most bears can run as fast as a racehorse. A scream or sudden movement such as running, can trigger an attack. Do not throw anything at a bear. Watch the bear for aggressive behaviour. This includes snapping its jaws together, making a "whoofing" sound or keeping its head down with ears laid back. Any bear that moves toward you should be considered aggressive. If a bear does not seem to be displaying aggressive behaviour, talk softly in monotones and slowly back up. If a bear rears on its hind legs and waves its nose in the air, it is trying to identify you. Remain still and speak in low tones. Keep calm. Sometimes bears will bluff their way out of a threatening situation by charging and then veering away at the last second. Back away quietly, never run! If a climbable tree is nearby, do not make a dash for it. If the bear displays aggressive behaviour, speak slowly, remove your pack and set it on the ground to distract the bear. Then, climb a tree as high as you can. Adult grizzlies don't usually climb trees, but large (adolescent) ones can easily reach well over four metres (13 feet). Black bears are agile climbers, so a tree does not offer much safety.

ATTACKS

If you are attacked by a:

Grizzly Bear
Playing dead, curling up in a ball covering your face neck and abdomen may be effective. Remain still until the bear leaves the area. Fighting back usually increses the intensity of such attacks, but may cause the bear to leave.

Black Bear
Playing dead is seldom appropriate. Try to escape to a secure place such as a car or building or climb a tree remembering that the bear may climb after you. As a last resort try to intimidate the bear using any object available. This may repel some bears.

Chemical Bear Repellents or Bear Spray contains capsicum, a derivative of cayenne pepper, which when deliver to an animal's face causes immediate irritation of the eyes and upper respiratory track. However, because of wind and other natural occurrences, the spray cannot be considered an absolute guarantee of safety. Despite the limitation, reports have credited the spray with saving lives.

Cougars
Due to recent events involving cougars in and around the townsite, Banff National Park wardens are asking Banff residents and visitors to take extra precautions. While cougars are a natural predator in the park, they can present a potential risk to people and pets, especially to those living on the edge of town or near wooded areas. Park wardens are actively monitoring this situation in an effort to minimize the risk to Banff residents and visitors.

Cougars are not often seen because they are solitary, elusive and active mainly at night. They may be more active in areas that have habituated deer, like towns and campgrounds. Avoid meeting a cougar by travelling in groups and making lots of noise. Keep children close to you. Free-roaming pets may attract and be attacked by cougars.

Please take the following precautions:

  • Supervise children playing outdoors and don’t let children play near dense vegetation
  • Do not leave small children unattended
  • If you want to venture into the woods or go cross-country skiing, we recommend you travel in groups of three or more and go during daylight hours only
  • Remember, cougars are solitary animals and are most active at dusk and dawn
  • Free-roaming pets may attract and be attacked by cougars
  • Keep your dog on a leash at all times
  • Walk your pets during the day and avoid wooded areas
  • Bring your pets inside at night
  • Don’t leave out any animal attractants such as pet food or garbage
  • Always use the wildlife-proof garbage bins
  • Talk to your children about what to do if they encounter a cougar
If you encounter a cougar:
  • Immediately pick up small children
  • Face the animal, and retreat slowly — do NOT run or play dead
  • Try to appear bigger by holding your arms or an object above your head
  • Actions, such as shouting, waving a stick and throwing rocks may deter an attack
  • Be aggressive!
Bison
Bison are DANGEROUS and UNPREDICTABLE. They may charge without warning. Stay in your vehicle and DO NOT approach bison by the roadside. Keep at least 50 metres (150 feet) away at all times. Never come between two animals, particularly a female and her calf. Bison can weigh 2,000 pounds and sprint at 50 km per hour, three times faster than you can run.

Elk
Elk can be aggressive and attack without warning. During the fall mating season (August – September) male are particularly belligerent. During the spring calving season (May – June) female elk aggressively defend their young. DO NOT approach elk in any season as they are DANGEROUS.

Deer
Deer may aggressively seek food from campers and picnickers. They may lash out with their hooves when they feel either threatened or frustrated. Dogs seem to incite the wrath of female deer, and many attacks on pets and people have occurred. DO NOT feed or approach any animal.

Vehicle / Wildlife Collisions
SLOW DOWN for wildlife. Each year hundreds of animals are killed on highways. Animals are unpredictable — be alert while driving, especially at dusk or dawn, and watch for wildlife warning signs. Give yourself time to react and don't overdrive your headlights — 70 km per hour is recommended for night driving. Report all collisions to the nearest park office or RCMP detachment.

Ticks
Ticks are most active in spring and early summer particularly where ungulates congregate (valley bottoms and south facing slopes). Most ticks will be found before attachment occurs, by checking yourself and children daily. If a tick attaches itself to you, rashes or lesions form, or unexplained symptoms occur, consult your physician. Bees and wasps may be found at campgrounds and picnic sites. Ensure potential attractant foods such as sweet drinks and raw meat are left out as little as possible.