Lions and tigers and bears, oh my! Well, just kidding about the lions and tigers—Canada doesn’t have those. But we do have bears! Living in the mountains, we share our environment with some of Mother Nature’s most majestic residents: Bears. Whether you're hiking the trails, exploring the backcountry, or even playing a round of golf, there’s a good chance you'll spot one of these magnificent creatures in the mountains over a summer.
Before making the big move to your new home in the mountains, you might be curious about what life is like living amongst these beautiful creatures and the best safety measures to protect both yourself and the animal.
Types of Bears
The most common bear species in the Canadian mountains are the black bear and the grizzly bear. Do you know how to tell them apart? It can be tricky since black bears can sometimes have brown or even cinnamon-colored fur. However, there's a key feature that distinguishes them: the hump. If you see a bear with a prominent hump above its shoulders, you have spotted a grizzly bear.
While size isn't always a definitive factor, black bears are generally smaller than grizzly bears. Occasionally, you might see a male black bear that reaches the size of a small female grizzly, but the hump on the grizzly’s back is the most distinguishing feature. Interestingly, black bears aren’t always black! Their fur can range from dark to light brown, and even reddish cinnamon hues.
Bear Safety
Now that you're a pro at distinguishing between a black bear and a grizzly bear, let's discuss the safest practices to reduce bear encounters and protect both yourself and the wildlife. The first and foremost rule is to always keep your distance. Parks Canada recommends maintaining a 100-meter distance from any wild animal—that's about the length of a football field. If you spot a bear while driving and want to admire this beautiful creature from afar, ensure you do so safely. Only pull over where it is permitted, activate your hazard lights, and pull as far to the side of the road as possible. Most importantly, remain in your vehicle. This not only protects you from a potential wildlife encounter but also prevents the bear from becoming too accustomed to humans.
While viewing a bear from your vehicle is the safest way to admire these animals, you might also encounter one while hiking in the wilderness. The most important deterrent and safety measure in this scenario is: bear spray. Always carry a can of bear spray with you when hiking in bear country. Though it’s highly unlikely you will need to use it, carrying it is essential. Unsure how bear spray works? Check out this video on the proper way to use bear spray and the situations where it might be necessary.
Before you even need to consider using your bear spray, you can use your body's most important tool: your voice. Make noise! Shouting "Hey bear!" every few minutes alerts wildlife to your presence. This is why hiking in groups is so crucial—the more noise you make, the less likely you are to encounter a bear or any other wild animal. However, don't be fooled into thinking a loudspeaker is the best option; as a hiker, you also need to hear what's going on around you.
Now that you know how to safely view a bear from your vehicle, have learned effective safety measures to protect yourself from an encounter, and understand the importance of hiking in groups, there's one more crucial point to cover: managing animal attractants. Especially when camping, always store your food and garbage in a bear-safe bin or in your vehicle. Bears have an excellent sense of smell and can detect food from a great distance. Food is one of the biggest attractants for animals foraging in the wilderness, but it's also one of the easiest things to manage. Never feed the wildlife, ensure your garbage is in a proper bear-safe bin, and always store your food properly when camping and adventuring. By taking these precautions, you help keep both yourself and the bears safe.
Living amongst bears can be one of the most exciting aspects of moving to your new home in the mountains. It’s truly incredible to observe these creatures in their natural habitats. Eager to learn more about wildlife and the importance of safety practices? Visit the Parks Canada Website for more detailed information and additional resources.
Ready for an adventure? Visit FairmontMTNJobs.com to learn more about what it's like to live, work and play in Fairmont's Mountain Region.