Bear Activity: July 29 to August 4, 2011

BEAR SUMMARY FOR THE BOW VALLEY
(Banff National Park to Bow Valley Provincial Park)

For the Period: July 29 to August 4, 2011

The following summary is based upon a compilation of bear information provided by government agencies and unconfirmed sightings reported by the public over the last week. It is not intended to be used as a real time, complete record of where bears are in the valley.

BEARS CAN BE ENCOUNTERED ANYWHERE, ANYTIME!

Be aware of your surroundings, know how to reduce the likelihood of encounters, and be prepared should an encounter take place. Always use caution by paying attention to signs of bear activity such as scats, tracks, and digging. Make lots of noise while hiking; hike in groups when possible; carry pepper spray; and obey closures.

Education Tidbit

Black bears have been known to use “nursery trees” as a way to safeguard their cubs. For instance, when a sow with cubs wants to approach a residence or feed in an area where she has been historically chased by dogs, she will locate a large tree with lots of big branches and foliage and tell the cubs to go up the tree and wait for her to return. This is her way of protecting her cubs when she is about to do something where there is a perceived safety concern.

Bear Activity Trends

There has been grizzly activity in Canmore Nordic Centre, Quarry/ Grassi Lake, YMCA Zones this week. Black bear activity has been reported at Canmore Nordic Centre, Quarry/ Grassi Lake, Rundleview, Bow River channel, South Canmore, TSR Resort, TSR South, Silvertip, Deadmans Flats, YMCA, Wind Valley and Bow Valley Provincial Park Zones.

Important Notes

It is berry season and bears are in the valley bottoms. Please remain attentive and be on the lookout for bears feeding trailside.

Bear Cautions and Closures

Please report all bear sightings to 403 591 7755.