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

For the Period: October 21 to 27, 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

This will be the last bear activity report for the season. Please continue to report sightings or bear activity should they occur. We would appreciate feedback related to the weekly summary. If people find it useful (or not) or they feel something is missing from the report, please let us know and we will consider including it for next season. Have a great winter and we’ll be back next spring!

Bear Activity Trends

There was grizzly bear activity reported in the Georgetown Zone this week. Black bear activity has been reported at South Canmore and Quaite Valley Zones.

Important Notes

There are still a few bears out so continue to be vigilant. Please be cautious when walking around town and keep dogs on leash.

Bear Cautions and Closures

Please report all bear sightings to 403 591 7755.

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

For the Period: October 14 to 20, 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

Grizzly bear cubs in the Rockies will usually stay with their mother for 3 to 4 years before going out on their own. In other areas, such as Sweden, cubs will only stay with their mother for one or two years. It is rare for a mother to have a new litter of cubs while still looking after cubs from a previous litter. There is a grizzly bear in the Kananaskis who appears to have two generations of cubs with her at the moment. She currently has 2 cubs born this year with her and a third , larger cub who appears to be a two year old. It is strongly suspected that the third larger cub is hers from three years ago. They have been travelling together much of the summer and fall.

Bear Activity Trends

There was no grizzly bear activity reported in the Bow Valley this week. Black bear activity has been reported at South Canmore, Silvertip, Lac des Arcs, Quaite Valley, Heart Creek and YMCA Zones.

Important Notes

Bears are moving into residential areas of the Bow Valley to feed on ornamental fruit trees and other foods. Please be cautious when walking around town and keep dogs on leash.

Bear Cautions and Closures

Please report all bear sightings to 403 591 7755.

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

For the Period: October 7 to 13, 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

We are often asked whether folks should carry bear spray or bear bangers (pen launchers). To clarify, bear spray is intended to be used at relatively close range (+/- 8 m) and could be considered a last resort during a close encounter. Bear bangers are intended to be used when the bear or other animal is still a fair distance from you but not moving off, even though it is aware of your presence. While many bears will retreat when a bear banger is fired towards them, it is important to realize that firing them is considered a ‘dominant’ move on your part. This can result in the bear asserting its dominance right back at you resulting in a charge. So be selective in your use of bangers and do not use them until you have tried other sub dominant type actions such as talking calmly and turning sideways while increasing your distance from the bear. Never shoot bangers down a trail or within a developed area unless you are sure there are no people in the area. This may result in a bear running into someone as it retreats.

Bear Activity Trends

There has been a single grizzly bear reported at the Canmore Nordic centre this week. Black bear activity has been reported at Yamnuska Zone.

Important Notes

Bears are moving into residential areas of the Bow Valley to feed on ornamental fruit trees and other foods. Please be cautious when walking around town and keep dogs on leash.

Bear Cautions and Closures

Please report all bear sightings to 403 591 7755.

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

For the Period: September 30 to October 6, 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

Marmots, squirrels and other rodents hibernate by going into a deep sleep with a low metabolic rate and temperatures many degrees below normal. A bear on the other hand, retains a more “normal” body temperature, has a relatively high metabolic rate and may awaken during a warm stretch of weather. Hibernation for a bear is a response to a shortage of food as opposed to a response to cold weather (Brown, 1993).

Bear Activity Trends

There has been no grizzly bear activity reported in the Bow Valley this week. Black bear activity has been reported at Quaite Valley, YMCA and Yamnuska Zones.

Important Notes

Bears are moving into residential areas of the Bow Valley to feed on ornamental fruit trees and other foods. Please be cautious when walking around town and keep dogs on leash.

Bear Cautions and Closures

Please report all bear sightings to 403 591 7755.

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

For the Period: September 23 to 29, 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 will typically enter their dens earlier than grizzly bears. With the recent warm weather the move to denning may be delayed. Of course much depends on the weather patterns over the next few weeks. The month of October is typically when black bears start moving in to dens though. Grizzly bears will typically den up in early to mid November. Pending food availability, some grizzly bears have been observed out foraging for food as late as mid December. This is often due to the availability of unnatural foods such as grain on railroad tracks, fruit trees and available carrion from road killed or hunted animals.

Bear Activity Trends

There has been no grizzly bear activity reported in the Bow Valley this week. Black bear activity has been reported at Gap Hill and Exshaw Zones.

Important Notes

Bears are moving into residential areas of the Bow Valley to feed on ornamental fruit trees and other foods. Please be cautious when walking around town and keep dogs on leash.

Bear Cautions and Closures

Please report all bear sightings to 403 591 7755.

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

For the Period: September 16 to 22, 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

Many grizzly bears have moved up high to feed on roots and corms. They can be expected at lower elevations though as they cross the valley bottoms, travelling from drainage to drainage. Black bear activity tends to be focused along the Bow River as they continue looking for valley bottom foods. As such, they can be expected to still be using the trail systems in the valley to get from point A to B. Be aware, particularly at dawn and dusk, of berry bushes and ornamental fruit trees being fed on (broken branches and berries on the ground), scat on the trail and the presence of gut piles from successfully hunted animals in those areas where hunting is allowed.

Bear Activity Trends

There has grizzly activity reported in Wind Valley Zone this week. Black bear activity has been reported at Quarry/ Grassi Lake, Grassi Corridor, Rundleview, South Canmore, Bow River Channel, Deadmans Flats, Exshaw, Lac des Arcs,  Heart Creek, and Bow Valley Provincial Park Zones.

Important Notes

Bears are moving into residential areas of the Bow Valley to feed on ornamental fruit trees and other foods. Please be cautious when walking around town and keep dogs on leash.

Bear Cautions and Closures

Please report all bear sightings to 403 591 7755.

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

For the Period: September 9 to 15, 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

As discussed last week, hunting season is now here in many parts of the Bow valley and Kananaskis Country. There have been a couple of incidents this week of hunters successfully killing animals and being unable to remove all of the meat due to darkness approaching at the end of the day. Upon returning in the morning bears were discovered feeding on the animals. To the credit of the hunting parties, they moved off and let the bear(s) have the animal. This is a good reminder that if you have to leave a portion of the animal overnight, one should expect bear activity the next morning. So ensure that wherever the animal is left overnight, you have a good visual of the area from a long distance away so you are able to determine if there is bear activity or not when you return the next morning. Pending the circumstances, it may be possible to be reissued another hunting tag from an Officer.

Bear Activity Trends

There has been no grizzly activity reported in the Bow Valley this week. Black bear activity has been reported at Harvie Heights West, Canmore Nordic Centre, Quarry/ Grassi Lake, Rundleview, Bow River Channel, Deadmans Flats, Exshaw, Lac des Arcs, Yamnuska, YMCA  and Bow Valley Provincial Park Zones.

Important Notes

Bears are moving into residential areas of the Bow Valley to feed on ornamental fruit trees and other foods. Please be cautious when walking around town and keep dogs on leash.

Bear Cautions and Closures

Please report all bear sightings to 403 591 7755.

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

For the Period: September 2 to 8, 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

Hunting season has begun in the select areas of the Bow valley and Kananaskis Country. The remains of successfully killed animals are an important food source for bears in the fall as they try and fatten up for the winter. Be aware of concentrations of raven or magpies which can be indicators of the remains of dead animals. Bears may perceive people as a threat to this food source should you come upon a bear on a carcass. The best option for you is to increase your distance calmly, don’t run or yell and report the incident to local wildlife authorities.

Bear Activity Trends

There has been grizzly activity reported in Wind Valley. Black bear activity has been reported at Canmore Nordic Centre, Rundleview, Bow River Channel, South Canmore, Exshaw, Lac des Arcs and Bow Valley Provincial Park Zones.

Important Notes

Bears are moving into residential areas of the Bow Valley to feed on ornamental fruit trees and other foods. Please be cautious when walking around town and keep dogs on leash.

Bear Cautions and Closures

Please report all bear sightings to 403 591 7755.

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

For the Period: August 26 to September 1, 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

Bear activity in the  Bow Valley continues in a few locations with buffaloberries continuing to be the main attractant. The buffaloberry season, however, is winding down and bears will shift their attention to other food sources. Many grizzly bears will move up high to feed on roots and corms. Bears in the valley bottoms will focus on other species such as chokecherry, pin cherry, dogwood and saskatoon. These species are common near Lac des Arcs, Exshaw and points east in the valley. Ornamental fruit trees also become a significant attractant resulting in bear activity in residential areas where these trees still remain. This activity creates significant safety concerns for both people and bears. So please, report this activity early in order that this behaviour can be discouraged right away and we can minimize the number of bears relocated or destroyed. Please consider removing any of these attractants from your yards.

Bear Activity Trends

There has been no grizzly activity reported this week in the Bow Valley other than a possible report from the Mt Lady MacDonald zone. Black bear activity has been reported at Canmore Nordic Centre, Quarry/ Grassi Lake, Bow River Channel, Rundleview, TSR Resort, TSR South, Deadmans Flats, Lac des Arcs, Heart Creek, Quaite 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.

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

For the Period: August 19 to 25, 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

As the buffaloberry season slowly winds down over the next few weeks, bears will shift their attention to other food sources. Many grizzly bears will move up high to feed on roots and corms. Bears in the valley bottoms will focus on other species such as chokecherry, pin cherry, dogwood and saskatoon. These species are common near Lac des Arcs, Exshaw and points east in the valley. Ornamental fruit trees also become a significant attractant resulting in bear activity adjacent to residential areas. This activity creates significant safety concerns for both people and bears. So please, report this activity early in order that this behaviour can be discouraged right away and we can minimize the number of bears relocated or destroyed. Please consider removing any of these attractants from your yards.

Bear Activity Trends

There has been no grizzly activity reported this week in the Bow valley. Black bear activity has been reported at Canmore Nordic Centre, Quarry/ Grassi Lake, Bow River Channel, TSR Resort, TSR South, Deadmans Flats, Exshaw, Lac des Arcs, Heart Creek, Gap Hill 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.