Bear Activity: September 9 to September 15

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

For the Period: September 9 to September 15, 2016

Welcome to the ongoing weekly bear reports for 2016.

Summary

As fall shows its colours, Bow Valley bears are trying to find extra food as they get ready for their long nap. This summer’s great berry crop has meant that most of the bears you see (and you will still see them for roughly another two months!) around the Bow Valley are looking pleasantly plump at the moment.

While our bears are getting in good shape to make it through the winter, it’s at this time of year when they are most driven to find extra food. For the most part, Bow Valley residents (you gals and guys!) are doing a great job of getting fruit out of trees before bears get to it. While this year we’ve had less conflicts compared to this time last year, we’re still seeing reports of bears around town, so if you still have fruit on the tree, it’s time to take it off.

NPS Photo/Jacob W. Frank

Current Bow Valley Closures and Warnings

-Bear Closure: Lacs Des Arcs Campground and Day Use Area. The boat launch and access road to the boat launch are open.

-Bear Warning: Lacs Des Arcs Community

-Bear Warning: Camp Chief Hector, horse corrals, surrounding trails and areas east of the horse corral.

-Bear Warning: Area and trails south and west of the Canmore Nordic Centre, including Grassi Lakes trails and climbing area and areas near Quarry Lake

-Bear Warning: Canmore Nordic Centre Trails: Killer Bees, Backdoor Ziggys and Nector Noodles

-Bear Warning: Canmore Nordic Centre Provincial Park, Grassi Lakes Day Use area and surrounding land

-Bear Warning: Bow Valley Wildlands Provincial Park including Highline Trail, East and West Connector Trails

-Bear Warning: Lowline Trail from Peaks of Grassi to three sister subdivision, including powerline

-Bear Warning: Yamnuska day use area and mountain trail

-Bear Warning: “Quebexican” bike trail between Stewart Creek Golf Course and Wind Valley

-Bear Warning: Old Sisters Haul Road located below the Stewart Creek Golf Course

Additional bear warnings and closures available here for anyone visiting Kananaskis Country and Alberta Parks.

For more information on areas in the Bow Valley frequented by bears at this time of year visit our human-bear conflict summary map.

The information above 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.

And Now some Paws-itive News

Around town most of our garbage goes into bear proof bins. But what makes a bin bear proof? Here is a short video clip about how bear resistant containers are product tested by some very furry product testers.

Please remember 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; know how to use it; and obey warnings and closures.