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The question of being bear, be where?

Bears will be where there is food, at least part of the time.

BY ED MCMACKIN

Bears will be where there is food, at least part of the time. Some of the rest of the time they are sleeping or wandering about looking for a new ‘patch’.

It has been said that if a pine needle falls in the forest, an eagle will see it fall, a deer will hear it, and a bear will smell it. It is by keen sense of smell that bears locate natural food sources. Unfortunately, however, it is also by their keen sense of smell they are attracted by an odor or aroma associated with human habitation. Most bears seldom stray to feed in unnatural areas or on unnatural foods.

In summer-alpine areas, one who has knowledge of bear foraging habits can predict to some degree the chances of encountering a bear. One may also be able to tell when and how recently a grizzly bear has been in a particular area, say an open alpine meadow. Clumps of turf will be turned over and holes dug where a bear has been searching for preferred roots, bulbs and perhaps even ground squirrels. Meadows of glacier lily plants are favorite feeding areas.

Grizzly bears sometimes go after ground squirrels, making large holes. A person may observe extensive excavations where there are dozens of ground squirrel burrows and dirt mounds.

In areas where there is typical bear foods, a person should be extra alert and cautious, being sure to ‘announce’ one’s presence, especially if alone or in a small group. Avoid a location where there is the smell of something rotting. Making a noise is helpful as the hiker’s scent may be carried on circling winds to a bear. The bear may run straight towards you.

Bears are attracted to carrion, rotting animals or meat but, surprising to some people, bears are mostly plant consumers, feeding on grass, leaves, berries, roots and bulbs – all located by their keen sense of smell.

Unfortunately, their keen sense of smell gets them into trouble in rural neighborhoods. They are sometimes attracted by odours coming from garbage cans, dumps, camp coolers and outdoor parties and picnics.

Some time back a C.O. (Conservation Officer) dropped into the office for a visit, resuming to tell me about a “bear problem”. The C.O.’s office had gotten a call about a bear ambling around a house, putting its paws up on the glass, and peering in to see what he could see. This was a bit unnerving to the occupant (my wife) who called me, and then called the C.O. Some of the C.O.’s last words were “Who wouldn’t come to the aroma of freshly baked chocolate brownies.” Now, those who think there is a bear behind every tree may be hesitant to make brownies.

Actually it would be good if everyone were equally afraid of leaving out garbage where bears could get at it. Recently I stood by a freshly killed bear that had innocently been at some garbage. Hounds pursued it from the Lower Wynndel Road, up through Lakeview, and into West Arrow Creek where it took refuge in a tree.

Unprotected garbage, lack of funds to live-trap, chance of returning and “too many” bears seems to equal dead bear. Really, is it a bear problem or is it a people problem?

Ed McMackin is a biologist by profession but a naturalist and hiker by nature. He can be reached at 250-866-5747.