Bear Awareness in Spring: A Guide for Prince George, BC

As winter fades and the forests come alive, bears in Prince George and surrounding areas emerge from hibernation, searching for food. This is a crucial time to practice bear awareness to ensure both human and bear safety.
Whether you’re hiking, camping, managing waste, or walking your dog, understanding bear behavior and best practices will help reduce encounters and keep our community safe.


Why is Spring a High-Risk Season?

Bears hibernate through the winter and wake up in early spring, often between March and May, depending on temperatures. During this period:

• They are extremely hungry and searching for easy food sources.
• Mothers with cubs are especially protective and may be aggressive.
• Their natural diet is still limited, making human-related food sources (garbage, compost, pet food) more attractive.

1. Hiking Safely in Bear CountryPrince George has many beautiful trails, but many pass through bear habitat. Here’s how to stay safe while hiking:

Best Practices for Bear Safety on Trails:

✅ Make Noise: Clap, talk loudly, sing, or use bear bells to let bears know you’re coming. Bears typically avoid humans when they hear them in advance.
✅ Hike in Groups: Groups are louder and more intimidating to bears than solo hikers.
✅ Stay on Designated Trails: Avoid wandering into dense vegetation where bears may be feeding or resting.
✅ Watch for Bear Signs: Look for tracks, scat (bear droppings), claw marks on trees, or overturned logs—these are indicators a bear is nearby.
✅ Carry Bear Spray & Know How to Use It: Keep it easily accessible (not in your backpack), and practice using it beforehand.
✅ Be Extra Cautious Near Water & Berry Patches: Bears frequently feed near streams, rivers, and berry bushes in spring and summer.
✅ Avoid Hiking at Dawn, Dusk, or Night: Bears are most active during these times.

2. Camping in Bear Country

Camping is a popular activity in Northern BC, but poor food storage and waste management attract bears.

Bear-Safe Camping Practices:

🏕️ Keep a Clean Campsite: Never leave food, trash, or cooking utensils outside your tent.
🏕️ Use Bear-Proof Containers: Store food, toiletries, and scented items in bear-proof lockers or hang them from a tree at least 10 feet high and 4 feet away from the trunk.
🏕️ Cook & Eat Away from Sleeping Areas: Prepare meals at least 100 meters away from where you sleep.
🏕️ Dispose of Garbage Properly: Use designated bear-proof garbage bins or pack out all waste.
🏕️ Avoid Strong-Smelling Products: Bears have an incredible sense of smell and are attracted to scented toiletries, deodorants, and even cooking oils.
🏕️ Keep Pets on a Leash & Do Not Leave Pet Food Outside: Pet food can attract bears, and off-leash dogs may provoke a defensive response from a bear.

3. Managing Garbage and Attractants in Prince George

The City of Prince George is in active bear country, and proper waste management is critical.

How to Keep Bears Away from Your Property:

🚮 Secure Your Garbage: Store garbage bins inside your garage or shed until the morning of pickup. Prince George's solid waste collection regulations prohibit putting bins out the night before.
🍎 Pick Up Fallen Fruit & Remove Bird Feeders: Fruit trees and bird feeders attract bears in spring and summer. Consider using electric fencing around fruit trees.
🔥 Clean BBQs & Outdoor Cooking Areas: Grease, food scraps, and drippings attract bears. Always clean grills after use.
🐕 Store Pet Food Indoors: Never leave pet food outside, as bears can smell it from long distances.
🌱 Manage Compost Carefully: Avoid putting meat, dairy, or strong-smelling food scraps in outdoor compost bins.
📞 Report Bear Sightings in Residential Areas: Call the BC Conservation Officer Service at 1-877-952-7277 (RAPP line) to report a bear frequenting neighborhoods.

4. Walking Your Dog in Bear Country

Dogs can unintentionally provoke bears, leading to dangerous encounters. A loose dog may chase a bear, only to run back to its owner with the bear following.

How to Walk Your Dog Safely:

🐶 Keep Dogs on a Leash: A short leash prevents them from running ahead and startling a bear.
🐶 Avoid Dense Bush & Off-Trail Areas: Bears often rest or feed in thick vegetation. Stick to well-used paths.
🐶 Hike in the Afternoon: Avoid walks at dawn or dusk when bears are more active.
🐶 Carry Bear Spray & a Whistle: Be ready to deter an aggressive bear if needed.
🐶 Watch for Bear Signs & Turn Around if Needed: If you see fresh bear tracks or scat, change your route immediately.
🐶 Train Dogs to Respond to Commands: A well-trained dog that stays close and obeys commands is safer in bear country.
🐶 Avoid Bringing Dog Food on Walks: Pet food can attract bears just like human food.

5. What to Do If You Encounter a Bear

If you see a bear, stay calm and follow these guidelines:

If the Bear Hasn’t Noticed You:

✔️ Back away slowly while keeping your eyes on the bear.
✔️ Do not run – running triggers a chase instinct.
✔️ Speak softly to let the bear know you are there.
If the Bear Notices You:✔️ Remain calm and talk in a firm, calm voice.
✔️ Do not make direct eye contact (bears see this as a challenge).
✔️ Back away slowly without turning your back.
If the Bear Approaches:✔️ Stand your ground and make yourself look bigger by raising your arms.
✔️ Stay calm and prepare to use bear spray if needed.
If the Bear Charges:✔️ Most bear charges are bluff charges—do not run.
✔️ Stand your ground and use bear spray if the bear gets within 10-15 feet.

If a Bear Attacks:🐻 Black Bear: Fight back aggressively, aiming for the face and snout.

🐻 Grizzly Bear: Play dead by lying flat on your stomach with hands behind your neck. If the attack continues, fight back.
📞 Report Aggressive Bear Encounters Immediately: Call the BC Conservation Officer Service (1-877-952-7277).

6. What to Do If You See a Bear in Prince George

If you see a bear in a residential area, park, or near a school, take the following steps:

📍 Keep Your Distance: Do not approach or feed the bear.
📍 Secure Your Property: Remove any food attractants.
📍 Report It: Call the RAPP line (1-877-952-7277) to alert conservation officers.
📍 Warn Neighbors: Let others know about the sighting so they can take precautions.

Final Thoughts:

Coexisting with Bears in Prince George

Bears are an essential part of BC’s ecosystem, and responsible behavior helps us coexist safely. By following these guidelines, we can reduce bear encounters, protect wildlife, and enjoy the beautiful outdoors safely.

​🛑 Remember: A fed bear is a dead bear. Keeping bears wild ensures their survival and our safety.
Stay safe, stay bear-aware, and enjoy the great outdoors responsibly! 🐻🌿
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