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Black bear sightings in the Huron-Kinloss and Kincardine area After a black bear was reported as being on Concession 2 in Huron-Kinloss by a local contractor on his way to work in Lucknow, another was reported near Geddes Park trails in Kincardine near Scott Street on June 5. Rick Conley, a Point Clark resident says that while driving to a job site in Lucknow in mid-late May, he spotted a black bear near the area where three small bridges cross Concession 2. He says the bear looked to be young, “about the size of a large dog.” Conley, an avid hunter and sportsman says black bears in the area are not uncommon, although they do keep out of sight as a rule. Another black bear was reported by a Kincardine resident on June 5, shortly before noon in the Geddes Park area in Kincardine near the ravine. This bear too was a little larger than a dog. Ministry of Natural Resources' personnel in Owen Sound say another bear was sighted having a drink of water from a Kincardine area beach several weeks ago as well, in Mid-late May. He too says bear sightings in the area are not unusual and that the Bruce-Grey area is bear country. Last year after multiple black bear sightings in the area, a call was made to Jody Sheifley, a fish and wildlife technician with the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources in Owen Sound. Sheifley says that it’s not uncommon for bears to roam the wooded corridors along the lakeshore as far south as Goderich. “It’s an easy migration route. Bears travel the corridor looking for free range and mates. Usually they are deep in the bush away from people, but sometimes easy meals left out by humans are hard to resist.” He gets regular calls from every township in Bruce and Grey counties concerning bear sightings. “Many of these are sub-adult males wandering the corridor in search of a mate, much the same as a teenaged male goes out looking for a girlfriend. The males will roam extensively and will go as far as the ranges go.” “June is a very active month, lots of displacement. Younger bears are getting weaned, bears are looking for food and range, if you’re going to see a bear, that’s the month you are most likely to see one. Our phones just light up in June, things start to slow down in mid-late July.” Although bears can be a fright for those who manage to stumble on to them, an official contacted from the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters, says although bear sightings are quite common, the population in the area is not something to be alarmed about. He says the cancellation of the spring bear hunt has increased the population. “Since the hunt was cancelled in 1999, the bear population has increased by about 4,000-4,500 a year.” “If you come across a bear it’s important to make yourself look bigger than you are,” he says. “Raise your arms and spread them out. Do not approach the bear to get a better look, back away from it slowly and give it a wide berth. Make sure that it has a clear escape route. Don’t turn and run, that’s when he might take after you.” If a bear is in a tree, leave it alone. Get people and dogs out of the area. He’ll normally come down and leave when it feels safe.” If you see one in your yard, close your doors and leave him be. He’ll likely wander off when he’s ready. Call the police if you feel it necessary.” He says that quiet cottage areas such as Point Clark and Inverhuron, particularly during the week when there is less human traffic, are great places for bears to find a free lunch. The MNR’s Sheifley agrees, “Although they prefer to be deep in the woods, they quickly learn to associate human residences or campsites with an easy meal and can easily learn to re-visit your backyard once they know food can be found there.” Bears are highly intelligent and will travel more than 100 km to a known food source. “The majority of bear problems occur because of improperly stored household garbage and they just love bird feeders, especially sunflower seeds. They basically make their living from berries, seeds and insects, so they can’t resist bird feeders.” “If you have garbage collection, put it out on the morning of garbage day, not the night before. Do not leave pet food outdoors and be sure to clean your barbecue grills after use. Keep meat, fish or sweet food and fruit out of your composter and keep meat scraps in the freezer until garbage day. “If a bear is attracted to food or garbage, make sure it is removed after the bear leaves to discourage it from returning.” The MNR says there are other things to remember if you spot a bear while out walking, or if one enters your campsite or yard. It is important to keep dogs away from a bear. While a well-trained dog may deter a bear, a poorly trained one may only excite it, resulting in the bear following the dog back to its owner. Climbing a tree to get away from a bear may offer you little advantage, as black bears are excellent tree climbers. Bears are normally shy of humans and quickly get out of our way when they see us. If you are with others, stay together and act as a group, then yell and wave your arms. The idea is to be aggressive and to persuade the bear to leave. This will work if the bear is still partly afraid of humans. A bear may stand upright to get a better view, make huffing or "popping" sounds, swat, or beat the ground with its forepaws. It may even bluff charge. These are a bear's way of telling you that you are too close. Back off and give the bear more space. The MNR asks the public to report bear sightings by calling Bear Hotline at 1-866-514-2327. |
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