The Bear Necessities

The #1 threat to America is Bears
- Stephen Colbert

I am terrified of going to Australia.  Australia has a plethora of things that can kill you: crocodiles, spiders, snakes, sharks, dingos...the list could go on for ever.  I have relayed my sense of terror to many Aussies that I have met here in Canada, and they look at me rather confused.  They are very quick to point out that I live within a hundred kilometers of bears...freaking bears!

Having spent my entire life in Alberta it is quick to forget just how dangerous bears can be.  An adult male grizzly bear in Alberta can weigh up to 700 lbs with a six inch wide paw that can knock your head into Saskatchewan.  Bears are very territorial and many are quite comfortable in the presence of humans.  As bears began to awake from their hibernation, the chances of human encounters increase substantial.

Spring is in the air and many Albertans will be returning to the mountains to enjoy camping, hiking, fishing, mountain biking and many other outdoor activities.  Before you head out, it is important to know who you will be sharing territory with.  There are two predominate species of bears in Alberta: the grizzly bear and the black bear.  Let's take a closer look at these two impressive creatures:

Grizzly

Grizzlies are the biggest and most dangerous of Alberta's bears.  Their preferred territory is in foothills, mountains and boreal regions, but the grizzly has been making a comeback in prairie and parkland areas in Alberta.  Grizzlies are omnivores, which means they pretty much eat anything.  One infamous grizzly labeled "Bear 122" had a reputation of killing and eating black bears in Banff National Park.  The grizzly bear is considered a threatened species in Alberta.  While populations have shown resiliency over the last number of years, human encroachment on the bears natural habitat has put the species at risk.

Black

The black bear is the smaller cousin of the grizzly bear.  Adult males can weigh up to 450 lbs and shares the grizzly's capacity for eating faces.  Black bears have a very wide spread territory and can be found in about 75% of the province.  Black bears are also omnivores and will eat everything from ants and berries to dead elk and garbage.  Black bears are considered a secure species in Alberta.  Black bears can vary greatly in colour.  Some appear to be black, others blonde and others brown.  

If you get into a fight with a bear, you are going to lose.  Both species of bears are deceptive quick and are able to inflict a massive amount of damage to a person very quickly.  Most bear attacks occur when a bear is startled, or when someone gets in between a mother bear and her cubs.  The best way to survive a bear attack is to avoid contact all together.

You don't have to be the fastest, just don't' be the slowest

Some of the best bear habitats in the entire province lay within 200 kms of downtown Calgary.  When you venture out into the great outdoors it is critical you remember the domain you are entering.  Here are a couple of key tips to avoid contact with a bear:

• Don't go at it alone.  If you are going into bear territory, bring a friend.  Having someone else around will generate more noise and warn bears down the path of your approach.
• Get loud!  We all go into the mountains to get away from all the noise, but in this case it might save your life.  Whistle, sing a song or just idly chatter to yourself.  Again, by making noise you will warn any bears that might be around the next corner.  They want to meet you far less than you want to meet them.
• Defend yourself.  If you are attacked, have the necessary tools to properly defend yourself.  Make sure you have bear spray, bear bangers or other deterrents that may ward off a charging bear.  Check out this video where my friend Joey will give you the 101 on how to properly use bear spray.  Different species of bears respond different to human interaction.  Make sure you know the difference between the two species and identify what your best course of action might be.
• If you are out fishing keep attentive on the water.  These areas are often in the middle of game trails and the chance of an encounter increases.  Many of us get in the zone while fishing, but make sure you take the occasional glance over your shoulder.

If Stephen Colbert is correct, bears are slowly but surely eating their way up the food chain.  Luckily for you the Government of Alberta is here to help.  The Alberta BearSmart is a brilliant public awareness program for people who are entering bear territory.  Follow the simple suggestions and keep yourself safe out there.  Remember, it's their territory, we are just visiting.