Bears are coming out of hibernation in the Northwest Territories (NWT), and there are quick and easy steps residents can take to be bear safe this season.

The NWT is bear country. It’s home to black, grizzly and polar bears. Bears normally avoid contact with people, but if they or their cubs become habituated to human food or garbage, they may lose their fear of humans and will become a problem. 

Encounters are most common in spring as bears emerge, and late summer through fall when they’re working to fatten up for winter. Avoiding encounters starts with not inviting bears to your home, cabin or community. Attractants are almost always the cause. Negative encounters are more likely when bears are in populated areas, and if bears get habituated to human food and garbage, they are more likely to stay close to people and less likely to survive in the wild.

Don’t invite them in!

Take these steps to reduce the risk of encounters close to communities, cabins and homes:

• NEVER feed wildlife.
• Keep food, pet food, gas and other potential attractants inside or in airtight containers.
• Bearproof your garbage, either by keeping it inside or in a shed until collection day, or in a bear proof container.
• Don’t clean fish or field dress harvested wildlife close to communities, cabins or homes. Safely dispose of the remains away from places frequented by people to prevent human bear conflicts.

Be prepared on the land.

Take these steps to avoid negative encounters with bears on the land:

• Take deterrents like bear spray or bear bangers along – and know how to use them.
• Don’t leave garbage or food waste behind and bear proof your camp site.
• Make noise, travel in groups and carry bear spray.
• Keep your dog on a leash at all times.
• Be on the look out for fresh bear signs and leave the area if you find any.

If you see a bear:

• Keep your distance.
• Back away quietly.
• Try to stay downwind to avoid the bear from smelling you.
• Make loud noises to scare them away.
• Report all sightings that are within and around the community to your region’s wildlife emergency line.

If a bear charges:

• Make loud noises and do not turn your back.
• Many charges are bluffs. The bear will often veer to the side at the last minute.
• Use bear spray only at close range.
• If you have a firearm and contact appears unavoidable, shoot to kill.
• If you play dead during a bear attack, lie on your side, curl into a ball with your legs tight to your chest and hands clasped behind your neck.
• When you’re safe, report it to your region’s wildlife emergency line right away.

Avoiding bear encounters starts with you! Download the Safety in Bear Country brochure for additional guidance on staying bear safe.

For media requests, please contact:

Shannon Graf
Senior Communications Officer
Department of Environment and Climate Change
Government of the Northwest Territories
Shannon_Graf@gov.nt.ca
867-767-9230 Ext 53041