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BEAR ACTIVITY SUMMARY FOR THE BOW VALLEY
(Banff National Park East Gate to Bow Valley Provincial Park)
For the period: November 8 to November 15, 2019
Welcome to the last weekly bear report of 2019!
SUMMARY
There have not been any recent sightings of bears in the Bow Valley and GPS data is showing that collared grizzly bears in Kananaskis Country have either gone into their dens or are staying very close to their den site. As such, this will be the last weekly bear report for the season.
Black bear den sites. Photos courtesy of Pat Kamenka
We will continue to use this mailing list to send out updates on wildlife activity as necessary, as well as WildSmart News and Events such as our upcoming Speaker Series presentations, Volunteer Wildlife Ambassador recruitment and general interest items. Keep an eye on our website and Facebook page for updates on Bow Valley wildlife throughout the winter. We look forward to starting the weekly bear reports again in the spring of 2019!
All that being said, there likely are still non-collared bears out and about looking for some last minute calories before heading into their dens, especially male grizzly bears. Other wildlife such as cougars, wolves, coyotes and elk will still be out and about throughout the winter so we all need to remain vigilant while out on the trails and be prepared for possible encounters with wildlife. Remember to carry bear spray, know how to use it and use it if required. Bear spray should be carried year-round and is also effective against non-hibernating wildlife such as cougars, wolves, coyotes and elk. It should also be carried along well-traveled trails in and around town.
Elk continue to be seen along trails around town, in open fields, school yards and playing fields. Give plenty of space to elk (at least 30 metres or 3 school bus lengths), never get between a male elk and a female elk, and be sure to keep pets on-leash. If an elk does charge, be prepared to use your bear spray. Try to move behind a large object (e.g. car, large tree) and keep the object between you and the elk.
Cougars have been known to follow deer (their main food source) into residential areas at this time of year so please remember to be cougar smart. Animals such as deer, bobcats and coyotes are often mistaken for cougars, especially in dense vegetation. One of the best ways to confirm a cougar sighting is to look for their long skinny tail with a black tip (see picture below).
If you are recreating anywhere in the Bow valley be prepared and on the lookout for wildlife as they can be encountered anywhere at anytime.
To reduce the risk of encounters with wildlife:
Make lots of noise in order to alert them to your presence.
Travel in tight groups, keep children close by and avoid hiking at dusk, dawn or at night.
Be aware of your surroundings (look and listen for wildlife and their signs, including tracks and scat) and be sure to check behind you while on the trails to make sure there are no animals following you. That includes not wearing earbuds/headphones, which will limit your ability to hear approaching wildlife.
KEEP DOGS ON-LEASH as it could save your life, your dog’s life and a bear’s life! Also remember to pick up after your dogs as their feces can act as an attractant for bears.
Carry bear spray YEAR-ROUND in an easily accessible location, know how to use it and be prepared to use it.
It is still hunting season so please be aware of your surroundings and stay clear of dead animals. Hunters should always carry and use bear spray as the first line of defense, even if they are carrying a gun.
CURRENT WARNINGS AND CLOSURES
*Bears are not only found in closure or warning areas. You should always remain alert while walking, hiking, running and biking, and remember that bears can be encountered anytime, anywhere!
Here is a list of some Annual Closures in Kananaskis Country.
A complete list of all warnings and closures is available here for anyone visiting the Bow Valley, Kananaskis Country and Alberta Parks.
A complete list of all warnings and closures is available here for Banff National Park.
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
We will be having our first Speaker Series of this winter GIFTS from FLOWER: OUR NOSE TO NOSE GRIZZLY ENCOUNTER with Mya Helena Myllykoski, Associate Professor at Mount Royal University. Mya will be sharing her experiences with her son Alex when a grizzly mauling was stopped with a bite to a can of bear spray. Her presentation will start at 5pm on Saturday, November 30th at artsPlace in Canmore. For more details of the event click here.
Please note: This presentation contains images from the bear encounter that some viewers may find distressing. Viewer discretion is advised.
This is a free event, however donations towards the WildSmart program to support our community-based efforts to promote human-wildlife coexistence are always very much appreciated.
Special thanks goes out to our event sponsors, Rotary Club of Canmore and Lafarge Canada for their generous support of our Speaker Series!
Please remember BEARS CAN BE ENCOUNTERED ANYWHERE, ANYTIME!
Report any sightings of a bear, cougar, wolf or any aggressive wildlife in Kananaskis Country or the Bow Valley to Kananaskis Emergency Services at 403.591.7755