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Don’t invite bears to the cottage.
What cottagers can do:
Never leave garbage behind. If you must leave before garbage day, or if you do not have curbside collection, take your garbage with you when you go. Take it to an approved waste disposal site.
Fill bird feeders only through the winter months.
Never feed bears (or other wildlife) or try to approach them.
Put garbage in containers that have tight-fitting lids, and only put it out on garbage day, not the night before.
Store garbage in a bear-resistant container, secure shed or garage. Do not store garbage in plywood boxes, old freezers or vehicles.
Do not stockpile garbage. Take it to an approved waste disposal site regularly.
Keep meat scraps in the freezer until garbage day.
Remove grease and food residue from barbecue grills, including the grease trap, after each use.
Do not put meat, fish or sweet food (including fruit) in your composter.
Pick all ripe fruit off trees, and remove vegetables and fallen fruit from the ground.
Encourage your neighbours to practise Bear Wise habits.
If you rent your cottage, tell your tenants the importance of being Bear Wise, and make these tips available.
You are responsible for your own personal safety. Take precautions when you are outdoors.
Before you go:
Remove your garbage. Take it home or drop it off at an approved waste disposal site.
Use a strong disinfectant to eliminate all odours from garbage and recycling containers and lids.
Never discard cooking grease outside. Instead, place it in a container with a lid, transfer it to a plastic bag and include it with other properly stored garbage.
Take your barbecue with you when you leave the cottage, or store it in a secure shed. Make sure it is clean.
Do not leave any food or food scraps outdoors.
When packing up, remember to remove all the food from the inside of your cottage. A box of pudding or fruit flavoured dessert mix is all it takes to attract a bear.
Do not leave scented products outside. Even non-food items like suntan lotion, insect repellent, soap and candles attract bears.
Close and lock all windows and doors.
If you are away for an extended period of time, have someone you trust check in and look for signs that a bear has either visited or broken into your property
How to avoid encounters with bears while camping
Know before you go:
You are responsible for your own safety. Plan your trip with safety in mind. Before you go, learn about black bears to recognize signs of bear activity (like tracks and droppings), and how to prevent and handle encounters with bears.
Think about how you will handle your garbage, and how you will keep your campsite clean and odour free.
Pack long ropes for hanging your food pack. Practise hanging a pack before you go.
If you are bringing children, always keep an eye on them. When hiking, it is wise to keep children between adults.
Consider bringing a whistle, air horn, long-handled axe or bear spray. If you bring bear spray, know how to use it.
Before you leave home, discuss bears with children. Teach children simple things like making sure they can always see an adult; to never approach a bear or other animals; to never run from a bear and, if they see a bear, to stay calm and call for help.
Keep dogs away from bears. The bear may follow the dog back to its owner.
All odours attract bears. Pack all food, including dog food, with special care. Double or triple bagged food will reduce smells. Consider choosing meals that require minimal preparation.
The Ministry of Natural Resources or Ontario Parks can provide general information about recent campsite or route closures due to bear problems. Keep in mind, however, that bear activity cannot be predicted.
At your campsite:
Look for signs of bear activity nearby. Consider moving elsewhere if it appears a bear has been active in the area.
No matter where you camp, always pack out all garbage from the backcountry and use bear-resistant containers where available.
Store food so bears cannot access it; in a bear resistant location or container or hanging at least 4 metres (13 feet) above the ground and 3 metres (10 feet) from tree limbs or trunks that can support a bear.
If you plan to camp in remote areas, you should take additional precautions to ensure your personal safety.
If you are going to an Ontario Park or a private campground, follow advice provided.
Eliminate or reduce odours from yourself, your camp, your clothes and your vehicle.
Never feed or approach a bear.
Clean fish away from your campsite.
Store leftover food away from your campsite in sealed plastic bags and, if possible, in bear-resistant containers.
Burn food scraps and fat drippings thoroughly in a fire. Drain dish water away from your camp site.
Never cook, eat or store any food (including snacks), cooking equipment or toiletries in your tent.
If you are sleeping in a tent, try not to sleep in clothes you have worn while cooking.
Fishing tackle and bait, clothes worn while cooking, garbage, toiletries and all snacks should be stored in a bear-resistant manner and away from the site.
How to avoid encounters with bears while enjoying the outdoors
Bears usually avoid humans. Generally, you won’t see a bear even if one is close by. Remember, you are a visitor in the bear’s home range, so do all you can to avoid encounters.
Make noise as you move through wooded areas, especially in areas where background noise is high, such as near streams and waterfalls. Singing, whistling or talking will alert bears to your presence, giving them a chance to avoid you.
Travel with others if possible.
Be aware of your surroundings:
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Do not wear headphones.
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Keep an eye out for signs of bears, such as tracks, claw marks on trees, flipped-over rocks or fresh bear droppings.
Consider bringing a whistle, air horn, long-handled axe or bear spray. If you bring bear spray, know how to use it.
Avoid strong fragrances that may cause a bear to be curious; put any food you are carrying in sealed containers in your pack.
If you are out with a dog, control it. Uncontrolled dogs may actually lead a bear to you.
While berry picking, occasionally scan your surroundings to check for bears, and rise slowly from your crouched position so you don’t startle any nearby bears. They may not recognize you as a human when you are in a crouched position.
If the bear is not paying any attention to you, slowly and quietly back away while watching the bear to make sure it isn’t following you.
Do not approach the bear.
If the bear obviously knows you are there, raise your arms to let the bear know you are a human. Make yourself look as big as possible. Speak in a firm but non-threatening voice while looking at the bear and backing away.
Watch the bear to gauge its reaction to you. Generally, the noisier the bear is, the less dangerous it is, providing you don’t approach the bear. If a bear huffs, pops its jaw or stomps its paws on the ground, it wants you to back away and give it space.
If a bear approaches you, drop any food you may be carrying and continue backing up.
If the bear continues to approach, stand your ground and stay calm —use your whistle or air horn, speak loudly, stand tall, wave your arms and throw objects.
If a bear keeps advancing and is getting close, be aggressive and continue to stand your ground. Use bear spray and anything else to threaten or distract the bear; bears see if it is safe to approach you.
Do not run or climb a tree. Bears can run faster and climb better than you.
If the bear makes contact, fight back.
(Source: Ministry of Natural Resources & Forestry, Ontario ) |
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