Mountain View County residents are reminded to be ‘BearSmart', as reported bear and cougar sightings are increasing, say officials.
“It's hard to say whether people are seeing more or if they are telling us about more,” said Jane Bicknell, secretary for the Mountain View BearSmart Society.
Bicknell believes the increase of reported sightings may possibly be from an increase in website users, as the society now has 312 people on its email list.
In 2010, there were 13 reported bear sightings, 42 in 2011 and 89 in 2012. As for cougar sightings, there were six in 2010, 13 in 2011 and 14 in 2012, she said.
“The biggest issue with anything is just making sure your garbage is bear proof,” she said. “If you don't have a lockable bear proof dumpster then keep your garbage in the building before you take it to the dump.”
Also, people are advised not to have fruit-bearing trees or bushes in their yards.
“Garbage is probably the biggest issue with bears, whether you're at home, whether you're camping,” she said.
From January to June this year, there were 15 reported bear sightings and seven reported cougar sightings.
There were 34 reported bear sightings in 2012 and 14 in 2011. As for cougars, there were three reported sightings in 2012 and two in 2011.
“While there have been more cougar sightings reported so far this year, it's not the case for bear sightings,” she said.
“We didn't get our first sighting of a bear until well after they were out of their dens.”
However, she said most of the sightings are reported from June to September. She encourages all county residents to report sightings to the society, where they will be posted on its website.
On June 6, a cougar was sighted at the north end of Sundre. However, the cougar was said to be focusing on a number of deer and wasn't a threat to the public.
On June 7, a cougar was sighted on the front lawn of a residence southwest of Water Valley. On June 13, a cougar was spotted northwest of the Eagle Hill Coop.
On June 10, a bear pulled a bird feeder off a tree and broke into a birdhouse at a residence south of the Bergen Road and Highway 22 intersection.
On June 16, a grizzly bear with two yearling cubs was seen crossing the road between the Red Deer River recreation area and the Deer Creek recreation area, west of Sundre.
On June 12, three grizzly bears were seen feeding along the Coal Camp Road.
Fish and Wildlife officials remind residents to take down bird feeders from April to November. Residents are also reminded to keep sources of deer food out of their yards, as deer could draw in cougars.
To report a sighting, email it to [email protected].
The society had its annual general meeting last month and will start planning in September for next year's bear awareness week in April, she said.
