With most bears spending their time hibernating at this time of year, human-bear encounters in West Central Alberta are rare during the late winter and early spring season.However, just because it's winter doesn't mean that bears may not come out of their dens for short periods to wander around ñ and that's something cross-country skiers, snowmobile and quad operators, and other outdoor recreational enthusiasts should be aware of.ìPeople should be bearsmart and wildsmart at all times and be aware of their surroundings no matter the season,î Chiara Feder, a wildlife biologist with Alberta Sustainable Resource Development who works with the Mountain View BearSmart Society, told the Gazette.ìDuring warmer days bears have been documented to come out for short periods of time. If caught by surprise at close distance from unaware hikers or sledders, bears might feel threatened and react by bluff charging or displaying.ìDepending on temperatures, bears might start to come out in March, but individual behaviour varies greatly (including leaving the den earlier).îAs with other times of the year, people are advised to take precautions when in Bear Country during winter and spring months.Those precautions include carrying bear spray, travelling in groups and being on the watch for signs of bear activities.ìIf you see recent signs (prints, scats) of bear activity in the snow or close to a protected location that might be a den, do not investigate and leave the location immediately, making noise. While in the outdoors, always keep your pet on the leash,î she said.If you do happen to encounter a bear, remaining calm is an absolute must, she said.ìTalk to the bear in a low, calm voice and move away from it. Do not run. Get your deterrent (bear spray) at the ready if you have one,î she said.Of course bears are not the only potentially dangerous wildlife active in the region, including during late winter and early spring.ìPeople should remember that bear country is also cougar country,î she said. ìIf you find recent signs of cougar activity, particularly a buried or partially eaten carcass on a trail or close by, make noise and leave the area immediately.îAnyone encountering a cougar or bear is advised to report the incident to the local Fish and Wildlife office without delay.Mountain View BearSmart Society, which promotes bear awareness and public safety, also encourages anyone seeing a bear in the region to record it on the society's website at: mountainviewbearsmart.com.There have not been any bear sightings reported on the MVBS website since October.Meanwhile, the society has recently upgraded some of its ìBear Countryî awareness road signs west of Highway 22.Feder notes that the signs are to remind people to be aware that they may encounter bears in the region.ìThe signage does not mean that we have more bears or bear problems. The goal is to remind people that they are in Bear Country and to act accordingly,î she said.
