Bears
Q: When are bears most active?
A: Bears are typically most active during the early morning or late evening of the spring and summer. Over the winter months (between November and March) they are largely dormant, with cubs normally born between January and February. The cubs will be weaned in August, and remain with their mother for a full year before living on their own.
Q: Are bears a risk to my pet?
A: Feeding your pet outside poses the risk of attracting bears to your property, which could result in an encounter with either your family or your pet. Avoid feeding your pets outside, but if you must, be diligent in cleaning up after them (e.g., putting away their food bowl) as soon as they have finished eating. Additionally, off-leash dogs have been known to be involved in more than 50% of black bear attacks—they may harass or chase the bear, resulting in an aggressive response out of self defense. Keep you and your pets safe: when bears are active in your area, or when you are hiking/camping, keep your dog on-leash.
Q: How do I keep bears away from my property?
A: Keep your property clean of food and garbage, and be mindful of bear sightings in your area.
Q: How do I avoid encountering a bear?
A: Remember that bears tend to avoid people, but there are a number of ways to help avoid encountering a bear.
Q: What do I do if I encounter a bear?
A: In each of these cases below, make sure to keep your dog on-leash to prevent it from engaging with the bear.
**REMEMBER** Never intentionally feed bears or leave food for wildlife in your yard (as it may attract bears). The more exposure they have to humans, the less wary they become, ultimately resulting in an increase of human-bear conflicts.
A: Bears are typically most active during the early morning or late evening of the spring and summer. Over the winter months (between November and March) they are largely dormant, with cubs normally born between January and February. The cubs will be weaned in August, and remain with their mother for a full year before living on their own.
Q: Are bears a risk to my pet?
A: Feeding your pet outside poses the risk of attracting bears to your property, which could result in an encounter with either your family or your pet. Avoid feeding your pets outside, but if you must, be diligent in cleaning up after them (e.g., putting away their food bowl) as soon as they have finished eating. Additionally, off-leash dogs have been known to be involved in more than 50% of black bear attacks—they may harass or chase the bear, resulting in an aggressive response out of self defense. Keep you and your pets safe: when bears are active in your area, or when you are hiking/camping, keep your dog on-leash.
Q: How do I keep bears away from my property?
A: Keep your property clean of food and garbage, and be mindful of bear sightings in your area.
- Avoid feeding your pets outside, but if you must, be diligent in cleaning up after them (e.g., putting away their food bowl) as soon as they have finished eating
- Put away bird seed/feeders when bears have been spotted in your area
- Keep barbeques and grills clean after use
- Do not put meat products or eggs in compost and only put garbage out the morning of pick up
- If living in a rural area, take garbage to disposal regularly
Q: How do I avoid encountering a bear?
A: Remember that bears tend to avoid people, but there are a number of ways to help avoid encountering a bear.
- Travel in groups while out in the bush → You will look more intimidating!
- Be aware of your surroundings → Listen for noises, keep an eye out for scat, overturned rocks, or torn up logs
- Make noise → This alerts the bear to your presence. Talk, sing, whistle, or attach a bell to your bag, but avoid yelling or blasting music
- Keep your dog on-leash → They may provoke a bear
- Tidy up after yourself → Take your garbage, food waste included, with you as it can attract bears
Q: What do I do if I encounter a bear?
A: In each of these cases below, make sure to keep your dog on-leash to prevent it from engaging with the bear.
- By a building/dumpster:
- Leave the bear an escape route/don’t block it in. Back away slowly
- In a backyard:
- Make loud noises and make yourself look big with large gestures to scare the bear away
- After it's gone, remove attractants in area—e.g., garbage
- Forest: While hiking or camping.
- If you see the bear before it notices you—walk away quietly in the opposite direction
- If the bear notices you—back away slowly in opposite direction and wait for the bear to leave (do NOT run, this may trigger an instinct to chase)
**REMEMBER** Never intentionally feed bears or leave food for wildlife in your yard (as it may attract bears). The more exposure they have to humans, the less wary they become, ultimately resulting in an increase of human-bear conflicts.
STOP - DO NOT TRAP AND RELOCATE THE ANIMAL - Click here to find out why