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How to Stay Safe in Bear Country
Photo by Eric Bonnett
Bears are magnificent, fascinating animals. Although people and bears have been interacting for thousands of years, the relationship has often been based more on fear than understanding.
If you understand and apply a few safety principles, you can make your next trip into bear country safer for both you and the bears.
On this page, you will find:
- Safety when Roadside Bear Viewing
- Safety When Walking or Hiking
- Safety When Fishing
- Safety When Camping
- Bear Safety Resources
- Contacts
Safety When Roadside Bear Viewing
- If there is traffic behind you, keep your eyes on the road and don’t stop.
- If there is no other traffic near you, slow down and pull over where it is safe to do so.
- Don’t stop in the middle of the road, or close to a hill or curve.
- At all times…
- Stay in your vehicle!
- Remain a respectful distance from the bear.
- If the bear retreats or seems to ignore you…
- Take pictures, watch for a few moments, and then move on.
- Keep your vehicle on the shoulder of the road.
- Never feed a bear.
- If the bear approaches your vehicle…
- Leave immediately. This bear may have been previously fed by people and could be dangerous.
Safety When Walking or Hiking
- Stay alert. Keep an eye out for bears so you can give them plenty of room. Look for recent bear sign such as tracks, scats, fresh diggings or tree scratches (If you see any of these, be especially cautious).
- Choose routes with good visibility where possible.
- Travel in groups.
- Make noise to let bears know you’re coming, especially in thick brush, berry patches or near running water.
- Loud talking or singing is better than using bells.
- Don’t approach a bear for a closer look or better photo. Use binoculars or a telephoto lens.
Safety When Fishing
- Stay alert. Keep an eye out for bears so you can give them plenty of room. Look for recent bear sign such as tracks, scats, fresh diggings or partly eaten fish. (If you see any of these, be especially cautious.)
Fish with a friend. Bears are less likely to be aggressive toward groups of people. - Make noise, especially when your visibility is limited. If a bear hears you coming it will probably leave the area
- Gut your catch at the shoreline, not at camp. Put the guts in the water. Pop the air bladder so the guts will sink.
- Try not to get fish odours on your clothes. Wash your hands, knife and cutting board after cleaning the fish.
- Keep your fish cooler in your vehicle. If tenting, store fish and food away from your tent in bear-resistant and odour-proof containers.
Safety When Camping
- Choose a campsite well away from wildlife trails, spawning streams, signs of recent bear activity, and bear foods such as berry patches.
- In the backcountry, always burn your garbage thoroughly then pack out the unburned items, e.g. tins. Garbage can also be simply stored in bear-resistant and odour-proof containers and packed out.
- Keep a clean camp.
- In a campground, use the bear-proof garbage cans provided.
- Don’t bring greasy, smelly foods like bacon and canned fish.
- Store and cook food well away from your campsite, downwind if possible.
Bear Safety Resources
2.6 MB
Contact Conservation Officer Services Environment Yukon Government of Yukon Box 2703 (V-18) Phone (Whitehorse): 867-667-8005 Fax: 867-393-6206 Email: coservices@gov.yk.ca Regional Conservation Offices:
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Last Updated: February 26, 2013 | © 2013 Government of Yukon | Copyright | Privacy Statement | Disclaimer
