Your Guide to Hiking In Bear Country

Bear spray works - although it is a last-resort method. It is a non-lethal deterrent designed to stop aggressive bears without harming them. It is of the utmost importance that you carry this somewhere you can reach it easily, such as a holster. If it is in your backpack, you may as well not have it!

When purchasing bear spray from a local gear shop, they will give you the rundown on how to use it properly but online research prior is a great idea.

Pro-tip: Bear spray can only be used within 9 meters away from a bear and should be used as a last resort.

Some hikes in Glacier National Park require you to hike in groups of 4 or more. Groups of people are much more intimidating to bears than lone hikers. These groups make a lot of noise and bears want nothing to do with them.

Groups of people also mean more eyes on the lookout for bears and in an emergency, someone can get help. Travelling in groups is one of the best precautions hikers can take to avoid interactions with bears.

Pro-tip: Check with Parks Canada to learn which hikes require groups of three or more during the summer months!

Plain and simple, keeping your dog on a leash can prevent wildlife interactions. Bears are territorial, a dog in their space might not be the most joyful thing for them. Off-leash dogs may provoke bears and potentially lead a bear back to you, which you really don’t want.

Canada’s national park hikes legally require dogs to remain on a leash that is less than 3-metres long. Consider leaving your dog at home if you plan to hike or camp in the backcountry.

Pro-tip: Dogs are not allowed at the summit of Mount Revelstoke National Park (including Eva and Miller Lake) due to increased interactions with wildlife.

Stay at least 100 metres away from bears, cougars, coyotes, and wolves. Give other wildlife at least 30 metres of space.

Approaching wildlife or allowing wildlife to approach you can lead to them no longer being wary of people and putting yourself, others, and wildlife at risk.

If you do run into a bear in close range there are a few strategies that can prevent you from participating in a human vs. bear showdown:

1. Stay calm and make no sudden movements. Running away is probably the worst thing to do. Speak in a calm, soothing voice to let the bear know what you are, (and that you “come in peace!”).

2. Back away slowly and don’t make eye contact. Most likely the bear won’t be interested in your existence and everything will be okay.

Bears only become aggressive when they are protecting their cubs or food source. If you see a mother and her cubs, back away slowly and leave the area. You don’t want to turn your back.

Getting charged by a bear is very unlikely. Most attacks from bears are a bluff. If you are being bluff-charged by a bear, stand your ground and stay calm. After the bear bluff charges, back away slowly and give the bear space to exit (back away, to keep an eye on what the bear is doing). 

If the bear is a black bear and continues to show aggression, fight back. If the bear is a grizzly stay in a tucked position (tuck knees up to chest and hands behind head).

In any case of a bear sighting, call the provincial government’s Conservation Officer Service hotline, at 1-877-952-7277. This is the 24-hour, “Report All Poachers and Polluters” (RAPP) hotline. Provide the following information:

1. Indicate where you live, why you are calling, your name, and telephone number.

2. You will be asked what type of bear you have seen, the location of the bear, and the time of the sighting. If the bear is on your property at the time of the call, they will instruct you on what to do.

In most cases, they will pass the information on to the local conservation officer. He or she may contact you to ask more detailed questions. It is a good idea to write down the sighting information while it is fresh in your mind.