When the sun comes out, the number of visitors to our mountain trails increases. Abbotsford is bear country, but bit of bear education will help reduce your chances of a bear encounter.
• Avoid hiking alone if possible - a group of people makes more noise than a single person. Noise helps to give bears a heads up that people are in the area.
• Don’t let your children run to far ahead of you or wander away from your line of sight.
• Stick to marked trails and travel during daylight hours. Bears are most active at dawn and dusk. Do not camp where fresh bear signs are found (fresh digging, scat or tracks).
• Package food in sealed containers and do not leave garbage behind.
• Avoid wearing scented lotions or perfumes on the trail - don’t give a bear a reason to test their senses.
If you encounter a bear:
• Stay calm.
• If the bear sees you, back away slowly – fight the desire to run away.
• Try not to freeze in fear and stare at the bear; the bear will see this as a direct challenge.
• Give the bear space. As you are trying to get away, do not block access to the bear’s exit, its cubs or food.
Conservation Officer Don Stahl adds “Hikers may also consider carrying bear spray or a small air horn as an extra precaution. Both can be effective at deterring a bear from human interaction.”
A bear in your neighbourhood?
Please report bear sightings to the BC Conservation Officer Service through the Emergency Coordination Centre for Bear Sightings at 1-877-952-7277. When a sighting has been reported, details will be recorded and passed on to the area’s conservation office.
Bear sightings are tracked, so when making a report ensure you include details such as whether the bear is a repeat visitor, or if it is behaving in a way that presents a threat to public safety (approaching a home/going through garbage). In some instances, conservation officers may contact the police for assistance.
Limiting human contact and reporting bear activity will help to keep both the community and the bears safe!