Stories
1.
Layering For Winter
2.Blistering
Choices
3.Bear Essentials
4.Walking From Canada
To Mexico In A Day
5.As Good As It Gets
6.Soaked To
The Skin
7.The Desert Strikes
Back
8.Eating Dust
9.Cycling The Trans Canada
Trail Across British Columbia
10.Cycling From
Victoria To The Yukon - Part 1
Trip Reports
'Donovan Bailey cannot outrun a bear!'
On a hike up Grouse Mountain, I watched as a Mother and it’s cub
came out of the trees and began feeding on the berries near the restaurant
at the top of the mountain. They seemed very comfortable being so close
to people. On a wilderness trip through the Boise Valley, I encountered
six bears at different times during the same day. There are many bears
in the forests around Vancouver and It is important to remember a few
things to make your next encounter an ejoyable experience.
The Family of bears, Ursidae consists of nine species worldwide, three
of which live in North America. The Black bear (Ursus americanus Pallas)
is the most common and the one which we need to be aware of locally. The
Black Bear’s colour range from white to cinnamon with a white marking
on its chest. The males can weigh up to 267 kg. Black bears will mate
from June through early July with the female giving birth to usually a
litter of two in January to early February.
Bears on the West Coast like to stay below 2100 meters elevation in forests
and wooded mountains. They like to follow well worn trails that may be
generations old and are nocturnal in nature, although it is common to
see bears at any time of day.
Although classified is the order of Carnivora, most of this bears diet
consists of vegetation. Bears are constantly searching for food from the
moment is leaves its den in the spring. During the Autumn, it enters a
stage called hypophagia where it is eating all the time.
Some more bear facts:
1. Bears have good hearing and eyesight and an acute sense of smell.
2. Bears have been found year-round.
3. Bears are good swimmers and can climb trees.
4. Bears are fast, and can outrun even Donovan Bailey over any terrain.
The best way to prevent a bear problem is to take precautions:
1. If camping, eat away from your tent and never take food into your tent.
Also hang your food where a bear cannot reach it.
2. When on a wilderness trail, leave your pet at home, as they can react
unpredictably.
Walk in a group.
3. Watch for bear signs on the trail (tracks, feces, overturned logs,
rocks, flattened vegetation)
4. Be extra watchful near streams, thick vegetation, and when walking
into the wind.
If you encounter a Bear:
1. If a bear sees you talk softly so that the bear knows what you are.
2. Avoid eye contact as the bear may interpret this as a sign of aggression.
3. Stand up and move your arms outward to make yourself appear as large
as possible.
Move away slowly, DO NOT RUN!
4. A bear which charges may not finish its charge with an attack. Stand
your ground.
5. Each bear encounter is unique, and if attacked you will react according
to the situation.
If attacked by a Black bear, do not play dead. Try to retreat from the
attack.
6. If attacked for your food, leave the food and again try to back away.
Bear encounters are rare, but when it happens remember that remaining
calm is your best defence!