Bears are solitary except for the mating season from mid-May to early-July. In late January or February, one to five cubs are born; they will stay with their mother until a year and half old.
Bears are omnivorous but most of their diet consists of plants: roots, grasses, leaves, buds, seeds, mushrooms they also enjoy fruits and fishes. Their lifestyle coul be best described as sleeping, hunting, fishing, eating and bathing.
They are mainly nocturnal animals, and I’ve noticed if you catch them in the range of a powerful flash light their eyes will flow a light blue, while my dogs eyes will glow a redish colour, a simple inconclusive observation on my part.
Beginning in the spring, bears are seeking whatever food they can find in order to gain the weight they lost during hibernation; they are not looking for conflicts of any sort. Many have become accustomed to our food sources (fruit trees, garbage, pet food, compost) and it is up to us to be more responsible and not attract them in our backyards, howver if you live in a fringe area close to wild habitat they will be very difficult to avoid, after all they were here first.
Keep these points in mind if you happen to be travelling in bear country :
o
Bears' sense of smell is accurate and they can smell garbage from a mile away, as well as food kept in cars.
oIf a bear follows a smell and finds an easy meal, he will learn how to repeat the same action and make a routine out of it.
oBears are naturally scared of people, but if we attract them and let them forage in our backyard, they become bolder in our presence, which could lead to dangerous situations.
oBears are fast and quiet runners, excellent swimmers and climbers.
oRelocating bears or killing them hasn't changed the problem; the objective is more to keep bears outside of our communities and in their natural habitat, which could reduce significantly the amount of encounters.
oThe bear season is from mid March to late fall, they hibernate the rest of the time except during mild winters, where they might not hibernate at all.
oWhile black bears are the most common bears found in British Columbia, they represent 25% of the black bear population found in Canada.
Many bears are just passing through our towns, farms and campsites, looking for food (fruits in orchards or in bushes along trails, or human type food in garbage, compost bins or campsites). If these bears don't find rewards they move on and may never return.
Not all bears represent the same level of threat. While grizzly bears are much more rare, they may be tempted by the same scents as black bears. Grizzly bears are considered more dangerous because they respond to threats much differently than black bears. This makes Grizzlies even less compatible with people, towns, farms and campgrounds.
According to the Black Bear Task Team of Whistler, here is how to react in presence of a bear:
oDo not panic, talk in a normal voice to get identified and start backing up slowly, don't run.
oIf the bear starts moving closer: make yourself big and look for a safe shelter nearby.
oUse bear sprays only in last resort, in case of aggressive behaviour from the bear, don't use them if the bear is using a defensive attitude (which is usually the case).
Both "Bear Aware" and "Bear Smart Society" suggest the following solutions when traveling in bear country.
While hiking:
oMake noise or bring a dog on a leash, so bears have time to hear you come and get away, seal your containers to contain the smell and avoid wearing sweet fragrances.
oAlways face a bear but don't look at it in the eyes, as it is a sign of challenge.
oDo not approach or interact with cubs, even if they seem to be by themselves, their mother is never too far away (and she is very protective or her babies).
oWatch for signs of a bear presence: rub on trees, droppings, fresh tracks on the ground, berry patches and take another trail.
oWarn your neighbours, and call a Conservation Officer (1-800-667-4321) if a bear represent a threat in your neighbourhood
At home or while camping:
oClean barbecues after use, especially meat and fish leftovers.
oRemove bird feeders from March to December, even if unused.
oDo not compost meat, fish and dairy products, sprinkle regularly lime on the compost to reduce the odours and accelerate the procesus.
oDo not leave garbage out at night, or else, use bear proof garbage.
oDo not feed pets (or store pet food) outside.
oRemove fruits from trees as soon as they are ripe, or even before if possible.
oWhen finding a bear on your property, remain calm, be firm and don't let them feel comfortable on your property (make noise, yell from a distance), do not run (you would lose the race).
oDon't feed bears and don't let them feel comfortable in your yard.
If you exercise caution when travelling in the North Okanagan during the fall the risks of a bear eancounter are minimal, but there’s a very good chance you may see one while your travelling on side roads.
Visit www.themonsterguide.com to learn more about travel in our great outdoors and the natural world that surrounds us.
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Bearfoot:
Bears on the move during Spring and Summer
in the Okanagan
By Don Elzer
From May to July, wildlife is on the move, both hikers and motorists should be aware of everything from Grouse to Deer crossing backroads and highways. Bears are also on the move, dining in orchards and gardens and in patches of wild berries as well as looking for insects to feed on.
Black bears are found throughout B.C., but while black bears keep to the most inaccessible parts of our forests most of the time, during the fall travellers are most likely to see them in open areas.
