Bear Safety Resources
| Documents: (pdf's) | Source |
| Bear-People Conflict Prevention Plan December 2002 (PDF, 1mb) | British Columbia Ministry of Water, Land and Air Protection |
| Polar Bears (PDF, 540kb) | P.L. Clarkson and I. Stirling |
| Surviving a Bear Encounter (PDF, 112kb) | found on some web site on Montana wildlife |
| Efficacy of Bear Deterrent Spray in Alaska | Tom S. Smith, Stephen Herrero, Terry D. Debruyn, and James M. Wilder (2008) Journal of Wildlife Management 72(3), 640-645 available online via UofA Libraries |
| Field Use of Capsicum Spray as a Bear Deterrent (PDF, 435kb) | S. Herrerro and A. Higgins.1998. Ursus 10:533-537. |
| Bear Videos: | available for short-term loan; see Tom Hantos, CW317A, 492-2399 |
| Staying Safe in Bear Country; a Behavioral-Based Approach to Reducing Risk (48 min) | how bears behave and respond to encounters with humans |
| Working in Bear Country: For Industrial Managers, Supervisors and Workers (22 min) | more practical aspects of setting up camp and working in bear areas |
|
Polar Bears: A Guide to Safety |
especially relevant to those working in the far North |
| Training | |
| Bear Awareness and Safety (2 part course - theory and hands on) | online course offered through Environment, Health and Safety; register here |
| Proper Deployment of Bear Spray (using inert containers) |
practical outdoor session offered in spring/early summer; must complete online course first |
| Information Links: | |
| NWT Resources Wildlife and Economic Development | |
| information on bears, access to some back issues of URSUS Journal | |
| Alberta Sustainable Resource Development | |
| (short modules) | BC Wildlife Federation |
| U of Alberta, Department of Earth & Atmospheric Sciences | |
| Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee, USDA Forest Service website | |
| T.S. Smith, US Geological Survey webpage | |
| 1999 News release, US Geological Survey | |
| Suppliers: | |
| There are a variety of products that may be used to deter bears while working in the field. Electric fencing or a tripwire intrusion alarm can be erected around a camp and things like bearspray, a pen launcher with flares or banger shells, an air horn or a blank gun can be used to deter animals or as a signalling device. | |
| equipment for wildlife management workers, located in High River AB | |
| Calgary AB | |
| 11723 - 170 Street, Edmonton, AB; other locations across AB and Canada | |
| pepper spray, electric fences for camps | |