Preventing Encounters
Conflicts can be avoided by practicing prevention. Always be alert to a
bear encounter by looking for signs of recent bear activity; signs can include
scats (droppings), tracks, evidence of digging, and claw or bite marks on
trees. Avoid surprising bears by making your presence known through making
noise, either talking loudly, clapping, singing or calling out. Stay away
from dead animals; bears may attack to defend such food. If you have a dog,
keep them on a leash as dogs can antagonize bears and promote conflict.
Mother Bears and Cubs
A mother bear is not a high safety risk to
you as long as you do not threaten her or her cubs’ safety. She
may bluff charge or make loud noises and displays but she is no more dangerous
because she has cubs. A bear will do everything it can to scare a threat
away before fleeing to avoid conflict.
If you see a lone cub, its mother may be close by but out of sight.
In these cases, do not presume that the cub has been abandoned and do
not approach or feed the cub.
Bears require large ranges and should be allowed to live freely. Through
understanding and knowledge, we can live with bears and share the beauty and
wilderness of the North Shore.
If you encounter at bear, remember the four S’s
- Stay calm
- Stand still
- Speak softly
- Slowly back away
Black bear attacks are extremely
rare according to the Washington State University Bear Center. If you
are attacked by a black bear, fight the bear off with everything you have
and do not play dead, it may think you are prey.
Home Bear Encounters Tips
If you see a bear in your backyard, remember that it is in
your territory so do what you can to safely discourage the bear and
let it know who is boss.
- Give the bear lots of space, and go inside with your pets
- If the bear is eating, let it finish
- From a safe vantage point, shout loudly, bang pots, and wave your arms
to let the bear know it is not welcome
- When the bear has left, remove all attractants from yard (keep in mind
that it may return once or twice to check for attractants)
- Let your neighbours know about the bear and tell them to remove attractants
- Report your sighting to 604-990-BEAR
If you see a bear up a tree, give it some space by leaving the area or going
inside if you are at home. A black bear will climb a tree because it is anxious
and stressed. Let the bear come down in its own time (it may take until nightfall).
Do not bring extra attention to the bear by calling over your neighbours.
If you have a chance, when the bear is leaving and away from the tree, shout
at it from the house or use noisemakers to reinforce that it is not welcome.
Trail Bear Encounters Tips
In the wilderness, you are in the bear’s territory. This is its home
so give the bear the space it needs.
- Make sure the bear has a clear way to retreat
- Once a bear has started to leave, continue to back away
- Leave the area immediately but do not follow the bear
- Report your sighting to 604-990-BEAR
