Bears for Dummies
At Home
Don't attract bears to your property with birdfeeders, fruit, gardens, compost heaps, dirty bbq's or pet food.
Put your garbage and recylcling in bear-proof dumpsters or place curbside only on the morning of pick-up. Don't stock pile it.
Keep accessible doors and window closed and locked.
Use deterrents to discourage bears from entering your property.
If you encounter a bear in an urban area - make lots of noise to encourage it to leave.
Keep an eye on your neighbours - make sure they are following bear smart practices.
In the Woods
Stay alert and aware. Obey all trail closures and information signs.
Avoid bears - make noise, watch for bear sign.
Don't approach or crowd bears. Don't try to pet bears!
Be prepared - do your homework. Know how to react to an encounter or attack.
If you encounter a bear: remain calm, talk in a calm voice, back away slowly.
Don't feed bears. That means not leaving food scraps behind too.
Carry bear spray as a first line of defence.
When hiking, pack it in, pack it out - keep food in bear-resistant containers.
Hike during the day in groups in grizzly country, keep children nearby and dogs on a leash.
When camping, dispose of garbage in a bear-proof container or hang it out of bear's reach.
Cook away from your campsite, clean up immediately and dispose of dish water 100 m from tent.
Camp away from travel corridors, bear sign and bear feeding sites.
Use a portable electric fence around your tent in grizzly country or in remote areas of bear country.
