In light of recent events involving two campers in the Taylor Flats (Sproat Lake) area being attacked by a black bear, Bear Smart BC Society and Alberni Valley Bear Smart would like to provide the following information for anyone planning on camping or exploring the backwoods.
These tips and advice are meant to offer preventative measures to avoid conflict with wildlife while enjoying the outdoors. Bears and wild animals in general are unpredictable and should always be treated with respect and plenty of space.
Campgrounds:
-After barbequing, burn off the grill, cover and store securely. Store camping grills or stoves in the trunk of your vehicle when not in use.
-Store all coolers in your vehicle, even empty clean ones. Bears will recognize the shape of a cooler as a “food box” and will investigate even if there is nothing inside them!
-Remove all garbage and empty cans/bottles/fuel containers regularly from your campsite or picnic site to a wildlife proof container.
-Store pet food in the trunk, your vehicle or in a bear proof container as carefully as you would your own food; do not leave pet dishes out unattended.
-Dump dishwater in designated areas and securely lock up any items associated with food preparation such as table cloths, dish rags, dish soap and towels. Bears are attracted to dish soap and dirty dishwater.
-Do not store toiletries in your tent, lock them up. This includes toothpaste, cosmetics, perfumes, insect spray etc...
-Do not store any kind of food in your tent, even food that is in vacuum sealed packages.
-Store citronella candles securely when you are done with them.
-Good advice is if it smells, lock it up!
Backwoods camping, hiking, recreating etc..:
-Avoid surprise encounters; make your presence known by travelling in groups and talking loudly. “Bear bells” can help to alert bears of your presence, but can often be drowned out by wind or running water (streams, rivers etc...)
-Keep children close at hand and dogs on leash
-Do not store anything in your tent or sleeping area that may attract a bear. This includes food, toiletries, clothes you have cooked in, fuel bottles, camp stoves, barbeques, citronella candles, garbage, cleaning supplies etc... Use appropriate bear-resistant containers and store them well away from your camp while you sleep or are away from your site.
-Before choosing a camp site, inspect the area for bear sign: scat, tree scratching, tracks, abandoned carcasses etc... If you see a bear or believe a bear is in the area, choose another spot to camp. You are in the bear’s territory and it will treat you as such.
-Prevention is best, but should a charge or other aggressive encounter occur, carry bear spray and know how to use it prior to setting out on your trip.
To report any wildlife-human interactions where public safety may be at risk, call the Conservation Officer Service at 1-877-952-RAPP (7277).
Information provided by Christina Brack, Director of Communications Bear Smart BC Society and Crystal McMillan, Executive Director Bear Smart BC Society
For more “Bear Smart” information, questions, concerns or to volunteer please contact:
Dawn Boyce 250-723-2187 or Christina Brack 250-723-9200