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Chilkoot Trail National Historic Site of Canada


Cover of You are in Bear Country Brochure, showing image of female grizzly with cub
Cover of "You are in Bear Country" Brochure
© Terry Willis
Adobe PDF document - 802 Kb

A Guide to Safety

National Parks introduce visitors to a landscape that is uniquely Canadian. But these parks are more than scenic wonderlands. They are home to many animals that depend on wilderness areas for their survival. For some, like the grizzly bear, national parks may be the critical core of a territory that can extend far beyond the park boundaries.

Why bears do what they do.

Bear attacks are uncommon. Wild animals generally prefer to avoid people and bears are no exception. Most encounters between bears and people occur when the bear's natural avoidance behaviour shifts to aggression because of the following factors:

1. You surprise them.
2. They are protecting young or food.
3. They follow food and food-like odours to you.
4. Your dog provokes an attack.
5. The bear you encounter is habituated to people and has lost its natural fear.

The following guidelines to safety in bear habitat are just that guidelines. Bear behaviour is hard to predict because they are complex animals. Each bear is an individual with the potential to react differently in different situations. The information that follows will give you some basics on how to avoid an encounter in the first place and guidance on how to react should one occur.


Bear Spray

Research indicates that bear spray can be effective with some bears when used properly. If you plan to carry it, be aware that wind, spray distance, rain, freezing temperatures and product shelf life can all influence its effectiveness. Familiarize yourself with the proper use of bear spray (including the manufacturer's specific instructions) and keep it readily accessible. However, the best way to live safely with bears is to avoid contact with them.

AVOIDING an encounter

Travel in groups.
Make noise!
Watch for fresh bear sign.
Never approach a bear. (Always maintain a distance of at least 100 metres).
Keep your dog on a leash at all times.

  • Travel as part of a group if possible and never let children wander.
  • Make noise! Let bears know you're there. Call out, clap hands, sing or talk loudly especially near streams, dense vegetation and berry patches, on windy days, and in areas of low visibility. (Some research shows that bear bells are not enough).
  • Watch for fresh bear sign. Tracks, droppings, diggings, torn-up logs, turned-over rocks are all signs that a bear has been in the area. Leave the area if the signs are fresh.
  • Keep food and smells away from bears by properly storing food, garbage and food related items in bear resistant food containers, day and night, where ever you are.
  • If you come across large dead animals, leave the area immediately and report it to Park Staff.
  • Subsistence harvest by First Nations persons is permited in northern National Parks. Bears
    may be attracted to harvest remains.
  • Area Closures - for the safety of you and the bears, obey all area closures. Plan alternatives in case of a closure.

HANDLING an encounter

Stay calm.
Get your bear spray ready.
Speak to the bear.
Back away slowly, NEVER run.

  • Stay calm and don't alarm the bear with screams or sudden movements. Remain still, stand your ground & assess the situation. Your calm behaviour can reassure it. Bears may bluff their way out of an encounter by charging and then turning away at the last second. Bears may also react defensively by 'woofing', growling, snapping their jaws, and laying their ears back. It's difficult but important to remain calm if a bear reacts to you this way. A scream or sudden movement may trigger an attack.
  • Speak to the bear. Let the bear hear your voice talk calmly and firmly. This lets the bear know you are human and not a prey animal. If a bear rears on its hind legs and waves its nose about, it is trying to identify you.
  • Back away slowly when the bear is stationary, never run! Running may trigger a pursuit and bears can run as fast as a racehorse, both uphill and downhill.
  • Make yourself less vulnerable pick up small children and stay in a group.
  • Don't drop your pack. It can provide protection.

Handling an ATTACK



What is the bear's behaviour?

The bear is feeding, protecting its young and/or unaware of your presence. It attacks because it sees you as a threat.

Use bear spray. If the bear makes contact with you: PLAY DEAD!


These defensive attacks are generally less than two minutes in duration. If the attack continues, it may mean the attack has shifted from defensive to predatory fight back!

Bottom line?



Your speed and quietness put you at risk for sudden encounters. Make noise, stay alert, slow down.


What is the bear's behaviour?


Try to escape into a building, car or up a tree. DON'T PLAY DEAD. If you can't escape, use bear spray and fight back!

FIGHT BACK! Intimidate that bear: shout; hit it with a branch or rock, do whatever it takes to let the bear know you are not easy prey. This kind of attack is very rare but it is serious because it usually means the bear is looking for food and preying on you.

Bear Resistant Food Canisters

Are recommended for overnight backcountry trips in many parks. In Kluane National Park and Reserve they are mandatory for overnight backcountry trips on many trails. Check with park staff before your trip.

Backcountry Camping


  • Camp in designated areas where provided. Avoid camping near running water, thick brush, animal trails or berry patches.
  • Keep yourself and campsite odour free set up cooking, eating and food storage areas at least 100 metres from your tent and consider wind direction. Keep sleeping bags, tents and sleeping clothes free of food, food odours or beverages.
  • Leave smelly cosmetics at home Store toiletries and personal items with food.
  • Use bear-resistant storage containers that provide for food and garbage storage. Food canisters are mandatory in some northern national parks for overnight backcountry trips.
  • Store your food, pet food, livestock feed and garbage away from your tent . Hang between two trees at least 4 metres above the ground and 1.3 metres from top and side supports.
  • Wash and store all dishes and food utensils immediately after use . Strain food particles from dish water and store with garbage. Dump dishwater in designated areas or at least 100 metres from your sleeping area.
  • Pack out garbage do not burn or bury it. Same storage as food.
Bear resistant food canister
Bear resistant food canister
© Parks Canada / J. Unrau

Visitor Centre staff can provide information on current bear activity, closures, warnings and safety advice. Report all sightings to park staff.

Bears are extremely sensitive to the stress of human activity. You can actually help protect these animals by avoiding encounters with them. Bears are extremely sensitive to the stress of human activity. You can actually help protect these animals by avoiding encounters with them.

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