Staying Safe in Bear Country

The best way to minimize conflicts with bears is by practicing prevention.  Though bears are forgiving of almost all human behavior by following some simple rules people can reduce their chances of encountering a bear, and just as important, of attracting one.  But despite the best precautions, one still may occasionally meet a bear.  Bears often display many of the same types of behaviors toward humans that they use with each other; therefore, the safest way to reduce risk during an encounter is to have knowledge and understanding of their behavior and motivation.  You should be able to anticipate the most common situations where you might encounter bears and it’s a good idea to mentally practice how you should respond.  This knowledge and preparation can empower you to act appropriately around bears and avoid an attack. 

Staying Safe in Bear Country is a comprehensive 4 hour Bear Safety course that is specifically designed to reduce risk when working or recreating in bear country. The course focuses on bear behavior and the understanding that they are more predictable than most of us think.  Any interaction with a bear has an element of risk.  Some risk from bears is real but generally much less than most people fear. This program teaches its students basic bear biology, identification, behavior and how to prevent and respond to bear encounters. The use of non-lethal bear deterrents is taught in detail and includes a practical demonstration of pepper spray and various noise deterrents. With this knowledge a person will be able assess the risks and take the appropriate action when they encounter a bear.

Course Description

Theory
Grizzly Bear and Black Bear Identification
Bear Ecology
Bear Behaviour
Cougar Ecology
Human/Wildlife Conflicts
Wildlife Encounters (Defensive and Predatory)
Response to Bear Encounters
Response to Cougar Encounters
Non-Lethal Deterrents

Practical
Noise Deterrents
Bear Spray

Non-Lethal Bear Management

The key to successfully managing human-bear conflicts is to first minimize the number of human-bear conflict situations (through effective waste management, education and enforcement) and secondly, to deal with any resulting conflicts in a non-lethal manner.

Non-lethal alternatives provide an effective management tool and incorporate a more holistic, long-term approach to bear management. This approach has met with huge success in areas like Mammoth Lakes, CA, Yosemite N.P., and Whistler, BC where the number of human-bear conflicts has dropped significantly – requiring less resources to deal with problem situations and less bears being destroyed.

Non-lethal Bear Management uses negative conditioning to modify undesirable bear behaviour without destroying the animal. By using an arsenal of rubber bullets, pyrotechnics and pepper spray, bears are taught to stay away from people and their property. This approach capitalizes on the bear’s innate tendency to avoid conflict and fit into the natural dominance hierarchy. The bear is not physically hurt – it is a psychological experience that re-instills their respect for and hence avoidance of humans and human use areas.

Bear Scare’s Non-Lethal Bear Management Training is an 8 hour workshop that teaches the theoretical aspect of non-lethal bear management and the practical application of the non-lethal deterrents to ensure that both human and bear safety are not compromised.  Training workshops are available to police, wildlife managers and private industry.

Course Description

Theory
Staying Safe in Bear Country
Human/Bear Conflicts
Resolving Human/Bear Conflicts
Theory of Non-Lethal Bear Management
Negative Conditioning of Bears
Application of Non-Lethal Deterrents

Practical
Noise Deterrents
Physical Deterrents
Bear Spray

Bear Awareness and Response Training

Human-Bear conflict situations occur regularly in urban centers and frequently in the absence of wildlife officials, traditional law enforcement officers are the first responders to these complaints to ensure public safety. These officers often have little or no training or experience with bear complaints.

Bear Scare’s Bear Awareness and Response Training is an 8 hour workshop that teaches bear awareness and safety, bear behavior, the theoretical aspect of bear aversion and the practical application of the non-lethal deterrents to ensure that both human and bear safety are not compromised. At the end of the workshop the officer will have a better understanding of human-bear conflicts and will be able to effectively diffuse conflict situations in a manner that increases safety for the public, police members and bears.

Course Description

Theory

Bear Awareness and Safety
Human-Bear Conflicts as Critical Situations
Why Human-Bear Conflicts Occur
Traditional Management Techniques
Understanding Bear Behaviour
Bear Aversion Techniques
Bear Aversion Field Application

Practical

Noise Deterrents
Physical Deterrents
Bear Spray

Global News Report on Dan's Class teaching BC Conservation Officers