We’ve been seeing a lot of reports of bear sightings on social media, so we want to review some basic information to keep you safe. In Ontario, contact the police if there is imminent danger from a bear.
Emergency situations
Call 911 or your local police if a bear poses an immediate threat to personal safety and exhibits threatening or aggressive behavior, such as:
- enters a schoolyard when school is in session.
- stalks people and lingers at the site.
- enters or tries to enter a residence.
- wanders into a public gathering.
- kills livestock/pets and lingers at the site.
Police will respond first to an emergency situation but may request assistance from the ministry during daylight hours.
Non-emergency encounters
Call the toll-free Bear Wise reporting line at 1-866-514-2327 or TTY 705-945-7641 if a bear:
- roams around or checks garbage cans.
- breaks into a shed where garbage or food is stored.
- is in a tree.
- pulls down a bird feeder or knocks over a BBQ.
- moves through a backyard or field but does not linger.
This line operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, from April 1 to November 30.
It’s mating season, which runs from about mid-May through July. Adult male bears are in search of a mate. Some male bears are traveling huge distances and fending off challengers. Males can have a home range of 150 km or more, which encompasses the range of several females.
All this activity needs fuel, so bears turn to natural foods like ripe berries. Many people have berry plants in their gardens, so that can be particularly attractive to bears at this time of the year. It’s important to remember that bears have an incredible sense of smell – even better than dogs – and can smell food from kilometers away. They will also return to locations where they have found food in the past. That can be dangerous if they’ve found a food source around your home or in a campground.
If you are camping – and even around your property – do not keep food in a place where animals will want to investigate. Besides bears, you are also inviting raccoons, chipmunks, squirrels, and insects. While camping in Killarney Provincial Park, I was enjoying a coffee when I heard a sniffing noise behind me. I turned around and found myself nose-to-nose with a fox. It had become used to humans and was not afraid of me. That can be extremely dangerous. Lucky for me, he was friendly and was just curious about what I was doing. To keep unwanted visitors away, store your food in the trunk of your car, in a bear-proof container, or hang it well out of reach between two trees.
Some points to keep in mind:
- Keep your property clear of food sources.
- Clean grease from your BBQ.
- Keep pet food indoors.
- Clear fruit from under fruit trees.
- Bird feeders can attract bears.
If you do have an encounter with a bear, it’s essential that you don’t panic. The bear may see you as a threat to its young or may simply be surprised by your presence. If you see one, making noise will help keep them at bay. Singing, clapping your hands, or whistling is effective at keeping bears at a distance. Ideally, keep a whistle with you and blow it as hard as you can. Do not turn your back to them and run. Many predators have an instinctual response that if something runs, they’ll chase it. Instead, back away slowly and place a jacket, hat, or knapsack on the ground to distract the bear. They will stop to smell it, giving you more time to get away. Again, do not turn your back to the bear and run. Bears are very fast and will easily outrun you. Don’t assume climbing a tree is your escape route either. Bears are excellent climbers. In the event that the worst happens and the bear attacks, fight back and make as much noise as possible. Do not lie on the ground and play dead.
A bear that feels threatened will:
- salivate excessively and exhale loudly.
- make huffing, moaning, clacking, and popping sounds with its mouth, teeth, and jaws.
- lower its head with its ears drawn back while facing you.
- charge forward, and/or swat the ground with its paws (known as a ‘bluff’ charge)
Let’s not forget to keep our pets safe in bear country. Always keep your dog on a leash to protect both the dog and you. An unleashed dog running back to its owner can cause a chase response that may lead a bear back to the owner. Be sure to check your yard before letting your dogs out and keep an eye on them.
Here are some final tips (courtesy: canadiangeographic.ca) for keeping safe in areas where bears are known to be:
- Stay alert and keep an eye out for trouble. Although it’s tempting to put on headphones to enjoy some music, it’s better to keep your eyes and ears tuned to your surroundings.
- Head out on hikes with friends during daylight hours. Larger groups create more noise, and this lets bears know of your presence.
- If you are planning on camping, be careful how you store food. Throw out any garbage in bear-proof bins. Keep food at least 100 meters away from your campsite. It’s best to keep food in the trunk of your vehicle, away from your camping area. Bears have a good sense of smell and are attracted to food.
- Give bears their space. If you spot a bear or see signs of one, such as tracks, droppings, or torn-up logs, it’s better to avoid the bear rather than risk an attack.
- Carry bear spray and be sure you know how to use it before setting out.
For more info head to www.bearwise.org
