Bears everywhere

Crowsnest Pass and Pincher Creek Fish and Wildlife Officer John Clarke

• Don't be a headline, bears are very dangerous 
• Area bears in starvation mode 
• See a bear? Call the Report a Poacher line at 1 800 642 3800

Toni Lucas - Bear incidents in Crowsnest Pass, Lundbreck, Pincher Creek, et al are a constant at this time for Fish and Wildlife officers and for citizens of our communities and area.  Particularly affected, of course, are the farmers and ranchers in the area, but as the bears make their way into populated areas in with the desperation of hunger, town dwellers are also at risk.

The problem has been particularly acute in Crowsnest Pass where bear incidents and sightings have become commonplace, and Fish and Wildlife has been dealing with four grizzlies.  A bear in Lundbreck was shot after returning too many times.  A bear approaching Pincher Creek was shot by a landowner on the weekend.

Crowsnest Pass and Pincher Creek Fish and Wildlife Officer John Clarke spoke to us about the recent incidents in or close to Pincher Creek, Lundbreck, and the Crowsnest Pass.  "We have so much movement of bear right now in southern Alberta, both black bear and grizzlies," he said.  "There is no food left in the woods for them, and they have got to eat or they die in their den, it's as simple as that."

Officer Clarke said a bear in Lundbreck forced their hand by repeatedly returning.  "We had to shoot him, yesterday night.  There was nothing more we could do."  He explained they cannot use the bear dogs in town because they could scare the bear closer to a person, or people.

"We moved one bear out of Lundbreck, As soon as you move one, another shows up.  If you have 50 garbages with pizza in them, do you think he is going to go for some jam, or apples in a trap?  Sometimes they are scared of the trap."

"It's been going on for close to two weeks already," according to Clarke. "There are so many attractants for them."

Two days ago south of Pincher Creek on Highway 6 a Park Ranger saw a black bear heading toward town.  He set off bear bangers to route the bear away from town, and it went into a farmland field.  The owner of that farmland shot it. 

Clarke emphasized caution and empathy in the current situation.  "#1 we don't want anybody hurt, #2 we don't want to kill a bear unless we have to.  They are just doing it to survive."

Here's what you don't do: Do not approach the bears, do not feed the bears.  Do not leave out garbage.

Here's what you can do:  Clean up your apples and similar attractants from trees and ground.  Be alert, and aware.  Individuals can be held responsible if bears are attracted because of their actions or neglect.  Let Fish and Wildlife know when you see a bear via the Report a Poacher line at 1 800 642 3800.

Keeping Fish and Wildlife informed helps them do their job. Citizens and campers in our area have reported several sightings to us, but in the end it's Fish and Wildlife that has to deal with the problem.  "We need you to work with us," Clarke said.  "I cannot tell you where every animal is going to be, every moment of the day."