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The information below is 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 UPDATE (Nov.21-28, 2024)
(Banff National Park East Gate to Bow Valley Provincial Park)
This will be the last weekly bear report for 2024!
There have not been any recent bear sightings in the Bow Valley and Kananaskis Country. Christmas tree cutters and hikers still need to be bear aware and should still carry bear spray and know how to use it, make noise, travel in groups, and always be aware of their surroundings. This recent cold spell will likely encourage any bears still out on the landscape to go into their winter dens but remember that some male bears might stay out of their dens until mid-December, and even into January. With this in mind, it is important that we do not become complacent when heading out on the trails and that we are always mentally prepared for possible encounters with wildlife!
Trail users should carry bear spray year-round, try to recreate in a group (as opposed to going out alone) and try to recreate during daylight hours as wildlife such as cougars are most active at dawn, dusk and at night. This can be tricky during the winter months as darkness comes earlier than usual...all the more reason to carry a good head-lamp and do your best to go out in a group as there is safety in numbers! It is also best to keep your dogs on a leash and if you are not able to do that, consider leaving them at home to give tired elk and deer some peace and quiet and time to recover from the busy and stressful rutting season.
We will continue to use this mailing list to send out any significant updates on wildlife activity as needed throughout the winter, as well as relevant WildSmart News and Events. Also keep an eye on our website, Facebook page and Instagram for updates on Bow Valley wildlife, events and educational resources throughout the winter.
Grizzly bears such as this one could still be out and about on the landscape!
The elk rut is over but numerous elk continue to be seen all throughout town, which means you have to be alert and you may have to choose an alternate route while out for a walk/run/ride. Give plenty of space to ALL ELK (at least 30 metres or 3 bus lengths) and do not try to sneak past them on the trail! Never approach elk for ANY reason and keep your pets on a leash.
VIEW CURRENT WARNINGS AND CLOSURES
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
Factors Influencing Bear Spray Performance
Bear spray should be carried year-round but with the cold weather we often get asked about the effect of colder temperatures on bear spray performance.
In a 2020 publication in the Journal of Wildlife Management, scientists examined the effects of temperature, wind, canister age, and repeated use on bear spray performance. The main takeaway is that bear spray is an important and effective deterrence tool in all areas where bears occur, even if it is windy or cold!
Temperature: Specifically, they tested bear spray in temperatures ranging from -23C to +25 C. In all cases they achieved a spray distance of four meters or more. At the lowest temperature tested (−23°C), bear spray had a range >4 m.
Wind: Even when used in the highest winds (~22mph or 35 kmph) coming directly towards the nozzle, the spray still reached 2 meters (the average distance of spray deployment in real incidents).
Canister Age/Repeated Use: When looking at repeated use, or test firing of bear spray, they found that approximately 50% of canister head pressure is lost during the first 1 second of spray use or greater. Finally, when examining the effect of time, the canisters lost about 1 gram of propellant for every year of age, supporting manufacturers' 4-year expiration dates.
Based on the results of this paper, they recommend the following guidelines:
Do not test‐fire cans intended for use in the field
Keep canisters warm when in the cold, tucking them inside a parka or sleeping bag
Retire canisters of bear spray when they are expired
Source: Smith, T.S., Wilder, J.M., York, G., Obbard, M.E. and Billings, B.W. (2020), An Investigation of Factors Influencing Bear Spray Performance. Journal of Wildlife Management. doi:10.1002/jwmg.21958
Bear Report Feedback Survey
WE WANT YOUR FEEDBACK! We’re always open to new ways to improve and provide you useful information in the Bear Report. If you have 5 minutes to spare we’d love to hear your feedback (really, it will only take you 5mins, probably less!). You can opt in to a prize draw to win a small prize as a thank you!
WILDLIFE IN THE NEWS
Cougar attacks hiker and dog in Strathcona Park on Vancouver Island.
Park Ranger Yells At Tourists As Grizzly Bear Approaches in Yellowstone National Park.
Black bear killed in self-defence after attack on dog-walker in Maple Ridge, B.C.
Maple Ridge, B.C. conservation groups say leash dogs to avoid bear conflicts.
Utah could see a grizzly bear in the future, here's what experts say.
B.C. man awarded $800K in damages after being injured by defective bear banger.
Research at wildlife shelter concludes in human-bear conflict study.
Eastern North Carolina’s black bears: How hunters helped save a species.
Bear cub snatched from a tree to pose for photos is free at last in North Carolina.
Mother moose turns tables on grizzly bear chasing her calves in the Yukon.
This Bear Found His (Cold) Happy Place in New Mexico.
VIEWPOINT: Over-eating is the key to a bear’s winter survival in the Shuswap.
WILDLIFE AMBASSADOR WORDS OF WISDOM
As part of our new tradition at our recent Wildlife Ambassador Season Wrap-up party, the volunteers had a chance to share some memorable stories and interactions that they had this past season. The group voted on their favourite and the winner gets to take home the trophy for a year. Congrats to this year’s winner, Karen!
Here is a short summary of Karen’s winning story: “One of my favourite experiences this summer, occurred at Troll Falls. Two school busses pulled up and discharged about 50 Stoney-Nakoda students. From a discreet distance I watched as they formed a circle, and did a little ceremony. When they broke up, a young man came hurriedly over and wanted to see the Elk antler. This is my spirit animal he told me. “Pacheden” (Paw che DIN). I asked him to repeat the word. “Pacheden”, he said. “Pacheden”, I said.
A lady joined us. She pointed at the black bear pelt and said “Ozîja”. I tried to pronounce the word. She corrected my pronunciation to “o ZHIN da”. I told her that at the June Pow Wow I was told that bear was Watâga (wa tongue AH). She assured me that Ozîja was bear and Tatâga (Ta tang Gah) was Bison but there was no Watâga.
When they were done their walk, the young man came over to hold the Elk antler one more time. I handed it to him and I said “Pacheden”. He smiled and said ”Îsnîyes, Thank you.” I replied Îsnîyes (Ish NY esh). I have since found out that Watâga is Grizzly bear. I would like to say Îsnîyes to all the Ambassadors who helped make my summer roving a good one.” - Karen
Karen - 2024 Wildlife Ambassador Trophy Winner!
FOOD FOR THOUGHT?
Please ensure that your yards are free of ALL attractants so that bears do not find anything to eat and subsequently get into trouble! As a reminder, please do not put out bird feeders yet as they could potentially attract bears into your yard. In Canmore, bird feeders are not allowed to be used during bear season between April 1 to November 30.
A Holiday Decorating Guide for the Bow Valley
Holiday decorations, loose and low-hanging cords, lights, and wires can become tangled in the antlers of deer, elk, and moose which can be dangerous, causing injuries or exhaustion. If entangled, the animal is often unable to untangle from the obstruction itself. Residents and business owners should walk their property and remove items that could potentially result in a wildlife entanglement incident. To protect these animals:
Secure lights to buildings instead of trees (especially within 10 feet of the ground).
Ensure strings of lights are secured tightly to buildings so they don’t sag and avoid stringing lights between multiple trees or across open spaces (when strings of lights are wrapped around low bushes, elk and deer may get their antlers tangled in them).
Consider using cord-free decorations.
Use timers to conserve energy and preserve the night sky.
After the holidays, remove lights and decorations promptly.
Keeping wildlife wild is a shared responsibility. Let's make it a safe and happy holiday season for everyone, including our wildlife friends!
Click here to read and download the full PDF version of the article “A Holiday Decorating Guide for the Bow Valley” from the December 2022 Mountain Real Estate Magazine.
For those using a mobile device, click here to view the article online.
Photo courtesy of Parks Canada.
AND NOW SOME PAWS-ITIVE NEWS
We recently had our Volunteer Wildlife Ambassador end of season party! THANK YOU to our amazing and dedicated volunteers for making the trails safer for people and wildlife this season! In 2024, Wildlife Ambassadors contributed over 1,420 hours and spoke with over 15,600 residents and visitors about wildlife safety and responsible trail use throughout the Bow Valley, Kananaskis Country and West Bragg Creek! On behalf of all the two & four-legged residents - Thank You!
Photo taken at the Wildlife Ambassador season wrap-up party on Nov.17, 2024.
UPCOMING EVENTS
November 30 - Living Sustainably Series III: Cochrane Sustainability Expo
The first session of CEAC’s Living Sustainably Series III will be the Cochrane Sustainability Expo on Saturday, November 30 from 10:30am-1pm at the Frank Wills Memorial Hall in Cochrane. These information sessions are free to attend but registration is required. Register here now!
Learn all about Zero Waste & Reuse with guest speaker Carla Bitz presenting at 10:30am and then have time to meet local sustainability vendors such as The Refillery, the Cochrane Public Library with their Special Equipment Lending Library, the Helping Hands Food Rescue Program, and more!
Join us with Dawn Byford in the Friends Program Room at the Canmore Public Library for a fun and unique Earth Talk on Monday, December 9 from 7-8pm. Dawn Byford, plant-based cook & educator, will be leading an exploration of one of the most delicious ways we can each mitigate climate change and improve human health...even during the holidays! Learn practical tips and simple recipes. There will be a mini cooking demo and tastings included.
There are only 25 spots available! Registration is required with a suggested donation of $20+processing fee. REGISTER HERE NOW!
December 14 - Banff-Canmore Christmas Bird Count
This year’s Christmas Bird Count will be on Saturday, December 14, 2024 and the coordinators are already getting ready for Count Day. Please contact either the Banff or Canmore coordinator directly if you would like to like to be involved this year. Routes are filling up fast!
Banff Coordinator Email: heather@bowvalleynaturalists.org
Canmore Coordinator Email: ethan@suechick.com
Check out the Bow Valley Naturalists’ webpage for more details.
January 19 - Winter Safety Day
Save the Date! Join Alberta Parks and The Friends of Kananaskis Country on January 19 for this free event from 11am-3pm at a new location: Canoe Meadows Day Use in Kananaskis Country! There will be many things to do and see all surrounding winter safety. Experience how to read avalanche terrain, use a transceiver, how to build an emergency shelter, meet an avalanche dog, learn about winter animal tracks and much much more! WildSmart and the Wildlife Ambassadors will also be there to chat with folks about winter wildlife safety and responsible trail use. There will be fun and learning for the whole family. Bring a travel mug to enjoy some hot chocolate.
Save the Date! Winter Safety Day will be on Sunday January 19, 2025 at Canoe Meadows Day Use Area!
April 12 - Bear Day 2025!
Save the Date! Bear Day 2025 will be on Saturday April 12, 2025 at the Canmore Nordic Centre. This event is a celebration and welcoming of bears back on the landscape for another year. It’s a great opportunity to learn more about the bears in our area and to refresh your bear safety knowledge and skills so you are prepared for the upcoming season. More details to follow in the New Year…
Photo courtesy of Jamin Mulvey.
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 Dispatch at 403.591.7755