Bear Safety for Hunters

Hunters need to be aware that the presence of meat and carcasses can increase the risk of bear encounters. This section includes general bear safety tips as well as special advice applying to kill sites.

Take these general precautions:

Don't surprise a bear

• Choose travel routes with good visibility where possible.
• Stay alert and look ahead for bears.
• Approach thickets from upwind if you can.
• Make noise to let bears know you're coming.
• Travel in groups.
• Avoid travelling at night.
• Choose a campsite well away from wildlife and human trails.

Don't attract a bear

• Never feed a bear.
• Don't bring greasy smelly foods such as bacon or canned fish.
• Pack your food in airtight containers such as sealed plastic bags or containers.
• Thoroughly burn your garbage or pack it out in airtight containers.
• Move the food away from your tent at night.
• Don't bring food into your tent.

At the kill site

• Stay alert while field dressing your animal. Look around and listen.
• Keep a firearm within easy reach.
• Take all the meat out in one trip if possible. If not, return to the site as quickly as possible.
• Separate the meat pile from the gut pile if you have to leave the site.
• Leave your odour on or near the meat pile. Urinate around it or leave your shirt or jacket.
• Mark the kill site with lots of surveyor's tape tied so it flaps in the breeze. Remove the tape when you leave the site.

Tips for Hunters...

Returning to the kill site

• Carry at least one rifle in your group when returning to the site.
• Approach the site from higher ground, if possible, to give yourself a long-distance view.
• Make noise as you approach the site.
• Approach from upwind if possible.
• If a bear is present, noise and gunshots may scare it away. Remember, you are not allowed to kill a bear to protect your meat.

If you encounter a bear

• Group together if there are other people present.
• Speak calmly but firmly to the bear.
• If the bear is stationary, back away slowly, but DON'T RUN. Leave the area.
• If the bear stays focused on you and keeps coming as you back away, try standing your ground, raising your arms and shouting.
• Shoot the bear only as a last resort.

For more information, see What to Do When You Encounter a Bear