Bear Activity: October 5 to October 11, 2012

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

For the Period:  October 5 to October 11, 2012

Bear Activity Trends

There was little bear activity reported in the Bow Valley for the week of Oct 5-11th. Some reports of black bears were reported in Exshaw, Bow Valley Provincial Park and the YMCA zones. There was one report of a grizzly bear and cub south of Highway 1A in the Bow Des Arc zone. It was unconfirmed as to whether this was a grizzly bear or brown coloured black bear. 

Education Tidbit

As the first snow and hard frost hit the Bow Valley, natural bear foods are becoming more and more scarce. Bears are intent on getting their last few calories before heading into their dens in the coming weeks. Fruit trees are a particularly strong unnatural attractant to bears at the moment. Fallen fruit and fruit on trees will attract bears. Freezing temperatures will cause fruit to rot and in some cases this process will increase the sugar content of both domestic and wild fruits and berries. Apples, crab apples, dogwood berries and mountain ash berries will attract bears. Please do your part and consider removing available attractants like fruit from your property. Please report all bear sightings to 403 591 7755.

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 bear spray; and obey warnings and closures.

The above 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.