The nightmare scenario of a 300 lb. black bear attacking and killing someone is the stuff of Hollywood myth-making, not reality, says a former B.C. conservation officer.
In fact, you're 20 times more likely to be killed by lightning than a bear in Canada, yet many see these large, mostly insect- and plant-eating mammals as a threat.
Dan LeGrandeur, who develops bear conflict management plans and trains police, oil and gas workers and other personnel in techniques for keeping bears away, said black bears rarely attack and kill humans, although people should still be cautious when they are on local trails and in the back country.
"Unless you have a lot of interactions with bears, there's all sorts of pre-conceived ideas that they are man-eaters, which is not true," he said, adding, "Prevention is still the best."
A B.C. conservation officer for nearly two decades before starting his own business (www.bearscare.ca), LeGrandeur had some close calls while tracking nuisance bears for the purpose of destroying or relocating them. But not once in his years enjoying B.C.'s back country has he had what he calls "a serious encounter."
That's because he watches out for bear signs, wears a Fox 40 whistle (available at Canadian Tire) and gives it a blast when he can't see the trail ahead to warn off bears in the area. Double-bagging food in reclosable plastic bags is also a good idea to reduce enticing odours, he says, and he advises against using perfumed soaps, colognes or heavily scented shampoos when heading into the back country.
He also carries a can of bear spray and will use it on any bear that comes close. The active ingredient, capsaicin, causes inflammation and pain in the eyes, nose and lungs, and the hissing noise when the trigger is deployed surprises the bear - they'll often run away before the spray hits them.
"It's a very good close type of defensive tool," LeGrandeur said.
In his business, LeGrandeur teaches how to scare bears away using devices such as rubber bullets, bear bangers and pyrotechnics.
But he doesn't advise using bear bangers (similar to firecrackers, only enclosed and launched from a pen-like device) on the trail because they may startle a bear and provoke it into an aggressive charge.
He also doesn't recommend bear bells because their quiet tinkle can attract curious bears.
It's also best to hike in groups because a recent study of people killed in bear attacks across North America found that 91% of people who died were by themselves or with one other person.
And none of the people killed carried bear spray, another notch in favour of such devices.
Still, LeGrandeur is careful to note that fatalities are rare. The study published in the Journal of Wildlife Management last year noted there have been only 63 fatalities in 59 incidents in the U.S. and Canada between 1900 and 2009 - a 110-year period - and the vast majority of attacks were in August, when bears are fattening for denning, and it was mostly lone male bears, not females or female with cubs, that carried out the attacks.
In 38% of the deaths, edible garbage or human food was the lure and LeGrandeur says managing attractants is key whether you're on the trail or in your backyard.
"Bears have to receive a clear, consistent message from everybody. One of the best ways to keep bears from getting into your backyard is managing what's in your backyard," he says.
Get rid of bird feeders and hummingbird feeders in the summer and get a bird bath or plant pink and red flowers instead, LeGrandeur suggests; reduce compost odours with lime, clean out barbecues after use, pick up windfall fruit, don't leave pet food outside and, of course, secure your garbage.
If a bear insists on visiting your yard, LeGrandeur says, ignore it but if it doesn't retreat, make some noise with an air horn or pots and pans to send it away.
Call 1-877-952-7277 (RAPP) to report a problem bear.
BEARS BY THE NUMBERS
44 -Number of bear fatalities in Canada 1900-2009
12 -Number of bear fatalities in B.C. during that period
Source: Fatal Attacks by American Black Bear on People: 1900-2009
999 -Number of lightning fatalities in Canada from 1921-2003
16 -Number of lightning fatalities in British Columbia during that period
Source: Striking Back: An Assessment of Lightning-related Fatality and Injury Risk in Canada
