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: | |
| Safety in Grizzly and Black Bear Country | NWT Resources Wildlife and Economic Development |
| Eastern Slopes Grizzly Bear Project | |
| International Association for Bear Research and Management | information on bears, access to some back issues of URSUS Journal |
| Alberta BearSmart Program | Alberta Sustainable Resource Development |
| Bear Safety Workshop (short modules) | BC Wildlife Federation |
| Bear Awareness and Avoidance | U of Alberta, Department of Earth & Atmospheric Sciences |
| Bear Spray Position Paper | Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee, USDA Forest Service website |
| Bear Spray: Research and Information | T.S. Smith, US Geological Survey webpage |
| Proper Use of Bear Spray to avoid bear attacks | 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. | |
| Margo Supplies Ltd | equipment for wildlife management workers, located in High River AB |
| Kodiak Security Products Inc | Calgary AB |
| Commercial Solutions Inc | 11723 - 170 Street, Edmonton, AB; other locations across AB and Canada |
| UDAP Industries, Bozeman MT | pepper spray, electric fences for camps |