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The information below 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.
BEAR ACTIVITY SUMMARY (Aug.18-25, 2022)
(Banff National Park East Gate to Bow Valley Provincial Park)
Multiple black bears have been seen on both sides of the valley in residential areas in Canmore. A close encounter ended safely when a Canmore resident stopped a charging black bear with bear spray near the Engine Bridge. The encounter was handled well and serves as a great reminder that bear spray works and we should carry it year-round, even when using the busy trails around town! Carrying it is good but actually knowing how to use it and being prepared to use it is crucial! Bear spray is also effective at deterring other wildlife such as cougars, wolves, coyotes and elk.
Many bears continue to be seen actively searching for berries throughout the Bow Valley and K-Country. Due to the less than ideal buffaloberry crop this year, bears seem to be hanging out in the valley bottoms and have started to turn their attention to other types of berries, such as Dogwood.
Dogwood is a big attractant for bears in the Bow Valley right now. It's found in residential areas and along the river trails in Canmore, as well as at the Campgrounds in the Bow Valley. This has resulted in several new warnings and closures put in place this past week.
This time of year is very important for bears as they need to consume as many calories as possible to survive the upcoming winter hibernation. Those calories should not be coming from people or their yards as it poses a public safety risk and could cost a bear it’s life! Please make sure all fruit is removed from your trees, including Dogwood, Crabapples, Cherries and Mountain Ash. Proper wildlife attractant storage at day use sites and campgrounds is also critical to prevent bears seeking out human food and getting into trouble.
Black bear feeding on dogwood in the Three Sisters Area. Photo taken on Aug.23, 2018 by Witek Strzelecki.
You can also submit your report using the Report-A-Poacher Online form or contact your local district Fish and Wildlife office.
SOME THINGS TO ‘BEAR’ IN MIND
We are still in berry season and bears will be nearby any berry bushes they can find with their heads down while they are focused on eating. This increases the chance of surprise encounters so remember to make lots of noise to alert them of your presence! Use extra caution when travelling through areas with berries because there are probably multiple bears nearby. Trail users need to be expecting to encounter bears anytime and anywhere when they are out in the parks or on the trail systems in and around Canmore. It is also recommended that they avoid areas where bears have been seen or where active warnings have been put in place!
Dogwood is ripe around town. Not very abundant but enough to attract some hungry bears.
Bear scat found along the river trails in Canmore this past week.
There were at least 10 piles of bear scat like this containing Dogwood along the river trails in Canmore this past week.
For more information on areas in the Bow Valley frequented by bears during berry season visit our human-bear conflict summary map.
WILDLIFE IN THE NEWS
Find out why Jasper National Park has almost four times the roadkill compared to Banff.
A black bear was killed in Garibaldi Park after taking backpacks with food from a backcountry site.
Video interview about the Black bear killed in Garibaldi Park mentioned above.
Interview with mother and young Cason who survived a recent cougar attack.
Bears feasting on berries prompt more warnings and closures in the Bow Valley and K-Country.
A hungry black bear takes down a birdfeeder in a Kanata, Ontario backyard.
A bear family has some fun relaxing and playing in a Connecticut backyard.
A hunter had a close encounter with a cougar in Utah. Bear spray would have been very useful in this situation!
FOOD FOR THOUGHT?
We have mentioned Dogwood several times in this bear report but that does not mean bears will not search out other types of fruit trees in town. Leaving fruit (such as crabapple, mountain ash, chokecherry and dogwood) in your trees can attract bears into residential areas, putting bears and people at risk. The best practice is to remove fruit bearing trees and shrubs from your yard, however if you decide to keep your fruit bearing trees and shrubs, please ensure the fruit is removed BEFORE it is ripe!
These are common fruits/berries that attract bears into residential areas (pictured clockwise from top left); Chokecherry, Crabapples, Dogwood and Mountain Ash.
If you prefer to remove your fruit tree (recommended), the Town of Canmore is running a Voluntary Fruit Tree Removal Incentive Program. More information and details about how to participate can be found on their website.
We have extendable fruit pickers and extendable pole saw pruners that can be borrowed free of charge (donations are welcome). Please send an email to resource@biosphereinstitute.org to make arrangements to borrow the fruit picking equipment.
WILDLIFE AMBASSADOR WORDS OF WISDOM
What are the Bears eating today? by Derek Ryder, Volunteer Wildlife Ambassador & IGA Interpretive Guide
Living and recreating safely in bear country means understanding many things, from signs that bears are around to what to do in a bear encounter. As we wander in the wilderness (or even in town sites) we are travelling in a bear’s home: their living areas, dining areas, and even their bathrooms. Recognizing the food sources that bears are currently eating can help raise your awareness of the possibility that bears are around where you are at any given moment. In this series of articles, each month, we’re going to look at what bears are eating right now, and for the next few weeks.
Every year, starting in September (and late August) – not long after the shepherdia berries are all eaten or have dried up – bears turn to another popular food: the berries of the Red Osier Dogwood bush, Cornus sericea. This is a plant with many names. It’s also called red brush, red willow, redstem dogwood, redtwig dogwood, red-rood, American dogwood, creek dogwood, and western dogwood. There are many other kinds of Dogwood in North America, but only Red Osier and its much smaller cousin, the Bunchberry, grow in Alberta. Red Osier Dogwoods look willow-like, but have distinctive red stems that turn even more red after the first frosts. Click here or on the image below to read Derek’s full article about Dogwood!
Click on this image of Dogwood to read the full article!
"BUSTING BEAR MYTHS" BY DEREK RYDER, WILDLIFE AMBASSADOR
Myth: Carrying expired bear spray is better than carrying no bear spray.
Fact: Carrying and relying on expired bear spray is very risky behaviour indeed. The “bad stuff” in the spray doesn’t expire. But the propellant does. Over time, the chemicals bread down. Essentially, the can loses pressure. Past the expiry date, bear spray is not guaranteed to come out in the big cloud you need. It might not spray that far. It might come out in a stream instead of a cloud. You might not get 8 seconds of spray; it might only spray for a second or two. And the unpredictability of what might happen only gets worse the farther you go beyond the expiry date. If you’re out on a hike and notice your spray expired last month, you’re probably OK. But buy a new one at the end of the day, and certainly before you go on your next hike.
Think of bear spray as insurance. You hope you never need it. But when you do, it would be VERY bad to find out your coverage has expired. Bear spray costs about $10-$12 per year to own ($40 cans that last about 4 years). Isn’t your life worth $10/yr?
Make sure your bear spray is not expired!
AND NOW SOME PAWS-ITIVE NEWS
As mentioned earlier in this bear report, this past week a 91-year-old Canmore woman stopped a charging black bear by deploying her bear spray! This on its own is very pawsitive news but we wanted to point out some other pawsitive aspects of this encounter:
She was carrying bear spray in an easibly accessible location (hip holster) and was able to pull it out quickly and spray the bear in the face.
She was carrying bear spray while hiking on a busy, well-travelled trail in Canmore. A good example for all residents and visitors.
She remained calm and did not panic.
A mountain biker had alerted her about the bear so she was prepared. Now that’s being a good neighbour!
She gathered some other people in the vicinity, who did not have bear spray, and got them to stand behind her. Another example of being a good neighbour!
Instead of going home, she continued to walk along the trail to warn other people about the bear. Yet another example of being a good neighbour!
She knew how to use bear spray because she had previously been taught and had practiced. Practice makes perfect!
UPCOMING EVENTS
This September, test drive an electric vehicle!
Biosphere Institute is bringing the Plug ‘n’ Drive Mobile Electric Vehicle Education Trailer (MEET) to Banff and Canmore in September! This is a hub for electric vehicle education and awareness, and there will be free, bookable test drives available. Click here for dates and information!
BANFF ISN’T DISPOSABLE VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Biosphere Institute has officially partnered with Banff Isn’t Disposable to expand this reusable takeout container program to the Bow Valley. We are thrilled about this opportunity to build the circular economy in both Canmore and Banff!
We need volunteers in Banff for the rest of the market season. At your shift, expect to promote zero waste, talk with the public, and hang out with like-minded people.
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