Bears in the Bow Valley.
People travel from far-flung destinations to see them in the wild. Bow Valley residents tend to have protective feelings toward “our bears” and throughout history the big omnivores have carried the status of being at the top of their food chain in Canada.
While everyone wants to see bears, though, nobody wants to see them so close up and personal that a situation becomes dangerous.
For that reason, residents and visitors alike should heed recent wildlife managers’ warnings to be on the lookout for buffalo berries when out on area trails. The berries, nicely warmed by the sun during our recent stint of summer-like weather, are ripening and enticing bears, which sometimes throw their own caution to the winds as they chow down in a shepherdia shrub.
While gorging on the easy pickings of Buffalo berries, bears can become less aware of their surroundings, or approaching hikers or bikers, until surprised. Surprising a bear is never a good thing.
And because bears and close encounters on trails are not a good mix, mountain national parks have numerous trail restrictions in place. Throughout the valley, bear closures and restrictions are applied and removed as a means of keeping people and bears apart.
As residents and visitors, it is up to us to ensure we know where these restrictions are in place and it is up to us to do our share to ensure that we avoid bear/human interactions.
If you’re heading out almost anywhere in our area (not just deep into the backcountry), purchase bear spray, learn how to use it and carry it. Follow instructions on making noise, travelling in groups, etc. and ensure safe travels.
As it is, people are getting too close to our bruins. There have been bluff charges by bears trying to scare people off and a Danish tourist a week ago had an encounter when he was near Quarry Lake in Canmore – doing pretty much everything wrong that can be done wrong in bear country.
The Dane was a birder, so he was moving quietly, he was out at dusk (dusk is dinnertime), alone and without bear spray. Possibly, though, he was carrying horseshoes, as he was lucky to leave the area with just a slightly injured arm, a ripped jacket and a small cut on his finger was bleeding.
The ‘pro’ contingent is heard
Here at the Outlook, we’re glad to see some Banff residents offering support to their town council via our Letters to the Editor section.
Paid parking, it seems, isn’t viewed by all Banff citizens as a dire “end of days” scenario as is the case with those belonging to the Banff Residents Against Paid Parking group.
At the very least, letters in support of council show that some citizens aren’t convinced a paid parking trial period is nothing more than window dressing for a permanent situation.
Yes, BRAPP said they have 1,370 names against paid parking, which is great and shows a level of support, but, just like a federal politician who wins a seat with 40 per cent popularity, a majority still weren’t in favour.
In the end, nobody will favour every decision a town council makes. There will be highs and lows, depending on a voters’ views.
Being that the paid parking trial kicks off this weekend, let’s wait and see the results and what kind of solid numbers are gathered.
