Stay alert and be aware of your surroundings. Watch for bear
signs: tracks, droppings, turned-up stumps, and claw marks in
trees. If possible, keep in the open and avoid bear-activity
areas, especially berry patches and carcass remains.
Dogs can serve as an early-warning system for detecting the
presence of bears, but should be kept on a leash at all times.
A poorly trained dog may excite a bear resulting in the bear
following the dog back to its owner.
Travel with a friend. Or tell someone where you will be.
Never let children straggle behind or rush ahead.
Make your presence known by any means available to you.
Sight (waving your arms slowly) and/or sound (singing,
clapping hands, talking in a calm voice) are good ways. Don't
whistle, as it may resemble an animal's call.
Do not use audio players with headsets, headphones or
Backwood users must keep
campsites clean. They should store food and unwashed
utensils in airtight storage containers to minimize odours and
they should pack all remaining garbage for proper disposal.
Only if necessary, burn (in approved facilities where fires
are allowed) garbage, sanitary materials, cooking grease and
food scraps rather than burying them. Become aware of local
Place food, the clothing you cooked in and any
synthetic-based odours, (such as perfumes, deodorants, and
toothpaste) out of the reach of a bear - not in your tent.
Suspend these items at least four meters (15 ft.) off the
ground in between two trees and well away from your campsite.
If you are camping in or by a vehicle, store all food, cooking
clothes and garbage inside the vehicle.
Do not dispose of dishwater around or near your tent.
Keep cooking vents clean on recreational vehicles and
Do not feed birdseed or liquid sugar to birds from late
April through October.