CAMPING
Playing for keeps in black bear country Rattle those pots and pans By Heather Burke
On May 13, 1978, three teenagers were killed by a black bear in Algonquin Park. First one boy was killed, then the bear attacked the two friends who were searching for him. The three bodies were found, partly covered with brush, with a male bear standing guard. Itʼs difficult not to think of similar horrific stories when youʼre in the wilderness. What can you do to prevent an attack? Weʼre plagued by so much conflicting information. Play dead or fight back? Climb a tree or run downhill? Itʼs best to make these decisions before youʼre confronted by a charging bear. Conventional wisdom seems to be in conflict because black bears and grizzlies require different
responses. But, advice on dealing with them has been generalized across both species. The good news is we only have black bears in this part of the country, and theyʼre generally timid. When threatened, they usually run away or climb a tree. The bad news is, in rare cases, a rogue black bear becomes predatory – and its prey is us.
Avoiding a hiking encounter “Your best defence in bear country is still your brain,” says Stephen Herrero in his book, Bear Attacks: Their Causes and Avoidance. The best way to avoid an attack is to avoid the encounter. Look for bear signs along the trail, like shredded logs and turned rocks where bears have been hunting for insects. Rubbings and claw marks on trees may show youʼre on a regular route. You can even play forensic scientist and examine bear scat for age. If the vegetation is still green underneath, Teddy has been by recently. If you find yourself on a well-trodden trail, take a hike! Black bears choose their food according to season. If you know where the food is, you know the places to avoid. In spring, they dine on green shoots – the fresher, the
better. In summer, they graduate to berries and mountain ash. In the fall, the hunt is on for nuts and acorns. All year-round they love to feast on ants, larvae, bees and honey. Bears also feed on carrion. They can be protective of such a bonanza, too, so extra care is required if you come across a large carcass. Look for circling vultures or crows and if the wind is right (or wrong, depending on your perspective) you might even catch a whiff. Keep dogs on a leash. Rover may help scare off an aggressive bear, but he is just as likely to antagonize it and run back to you for protection. Guess who could tag along? Make noise while youʼre hiking. If a bear hears you at a comfortable distance, it will usually run away, saving its defensive posturing for someone who stumbles too close. Bear bells arenʼt loud enough—talking, shouting, singing or clapping is better. When you are hiking through dense bush with limited visibility, you need to announce your presence. A rushing stream or high wind can drown out your voice. If the breeze is blowing in or across your face, bears canʼt smell you coming, so make even more noise. Of course, youʼll also ruin your chances to see much wildlife with that racket youʼre making. Try www.OttawaOutdoors.ca
