Walking and hiking near Whistler, British Columbia, usually means walking and hiking near black bears. Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains alone are home to up to 50 bears, all used to feeding, mating, and hibernating among the ski area. This presents opportunities for some incredible bear viewing tours in the area, but it also means general recreators have to stay bear aware while out on the trails.
Black bears rarely kill people. Since 1900, 61 people have been killed by the animals in North America. But attacks can happen, generally defensive, with the bears reacting to people that have gotten too close or startled them. So hikers in black bear territory, like this woman in Whistler, should stay prepared for bear encounters.
This woman was out for a leisurely walk on the paths around Whistler when a black bear exited the bushes and began following her down the path. The interaction lasted for several minutes, with the woman continuously walking backwards. She talks to the bear, shouts and the bear, and calls for help, but the animal continues to follow without a care in the world. If you encounter a black bear on the trail, you should first stand your ground, make yourself look as big as possible, and yell “Hey bear” loudly while reaching for bear spray (if you have it). Only when the bear stops its approach should you begin backing away.
Bear Safety in Whistler, B.C.:
Mountain bikers, hikers, runners, and walkers use the many trails in Whistler.
Bears will likely avoid you if they know you are nearby. Stay alert and look for any signs of bear activity, such as scat, to avoid surprising a bear.
Keep yourself and bears safe by following these tips on trails:
- Consider an alternative trail, if bears have been sighted recently.
- Ride, run, hike, or walk in groups whenever possible. Keep your group close together and talk loudly, if you see fresh signs of bears (scat, tracks, claw marks on trees, overturned logs) nearby. Bears should avoid you, if they know you are in the area.
- Carry bear spray or another deterrent in an easily accessible yet protected area and know how to use it.
- Keep all dogs on leash. Dogs can provoke defensive behaviour in bears. Mountain bikers should leave dogs at home.
- Be aware that mountain bikers put themselves at higher risk for a bear encounter, because they move quickly down a trail and are relatively quiet. Make noise if you are biking.
- Take your earbuds out; remain alert and listen for signs of a bear in the area. Creeks and rivers can muffle sounds and make it harder for you to hear an approaching bear. They also make it harder for the bear to hear you, so make extra noise when using trails near running water.
- On trails with limited visibility, use extra caution and make more noise to avoid surprising a bear.
National Park Service on Bear Encounters:
Once a bear has noticed you and is paying attention to you, additional strategies can help prevent the situation from escalating. Here are some general tips. However, please check recommendations for each park you visit: recommendations do vary from park to park based local bear behavior.
- Identify yourself by talking calmly so the bear knows you are a human and not a prey animal. Remain still; stand your ground but slowly wave your arms. Help the bear recognize you as a human. It may come closer or stand on its hind legs to get a better look or smell. A standing bear is usually curious, not threatening.
- Stay calm and remember that most bears do not want to attack you; they usually just want to be left alone. 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, yawning, salivating, growling, snapping their jaws, and laying their ears back. Continue to talk to the bear in low tones; this will help you stay calmer, and it won’t be threatening to the bear. A scream or sudden movement may trigger an attack. Never imitate bear sounds or make a high-pitched squeal.
- Pick up small children immediately. Do not make any loud noises or screams—the bear may think it’s the sound of a prey animal. Slowly wave your arms above your head and tell the bear to back off. Do NOT run or make any sudden movements. Do not make any loud noises or screams—the bear may think it’s the sound of a prey animal.
- Hike and travel in groups. Groups of people are usually noisier and smellier than a single person. Therefore, bears often become aware of groups of people at greater distances, and because of their cumulative size, groups are also intimidating to bears.
- Make yourselves look as large as possible (for example, move to higher ground).
- Do NOT allow the bear access to your food. Getting your food will only encourage the bear and make the problem worse for others.
- Do NOT drop your pack as it can provide protection for your back and prevent a bear from accessing your food.
- If the bear is stationary, move away slowly and sideways; this allows you to keep an eye on the bear and avoid tripping. Moving sideways is also non-threatening to bears.
- Do NOT run, but if the bear follows, stop and hold your ground. Bears can run as fast as a racehorse both uphill and down. Like dogs, they will chase fleeing animals.
- Do NOT climb a tree. Both grizzlies and black bears can climb trees.
- Leave the area or take a detour. If this is impossible, wait until the bear moves away. Always leave the bear an escape route.
- Be especially cautious if you see a female with cubs; never place yourself between a mother and her cub, and never attempt to approach them. The chances of an attack escalate greatly if she perceives you as a danger to her cubs.