While there is certainly a population of bears spread throughout the Kawartha Lakes region, they usually stay away from built-up areas.
Where are bears located in Ontario?
Black bears live throughout most of Ontario. They primarily inhabit forested areas where they are best able to find food, refuge and den sites. Black bears are born in their dens in January and remain in hibernation with their mother until spring (around April).
Are bears a problem in Ontario?
Provincewide bear population count is underway
That’s up 300 from a few years earlier and about 100 more than the number of bears hunted in northern Ontario that spring. In 2021, it dropped to 733 bears hunted in the south, but still more than the 719 in the northeast that spring and the 197 in northwestern Ontario.
What time of day are you most likely to see a bear?
Bear Behavior
Bears are most active during early morning and late evening hours in spring and summer.
What months are bears active?
If you want to give yourself the best chance to see an active bear, September and October are the best months. Bears are most active during this period, preparing for their lengthy hibernation. Some of the most popular activities for bears include snoozing, wandering, and fishing.
How many bear attacks a year in Ontario?
There is often less than one every year. For example, there have only been four fatal bear attacks in Ontario over the last 100 years.
What to do if I see a bear?
Make yourself look big – stand tall, raise your arms and spread your legs. Don’t make eye contact with the bear – they may see this as a threat or a challenge. Make loud noises – yell, clap your hands, use a bear bell, or bang things together. Back away slowly – don’t run, keep backing away until the bear is out of
What scare bears away?
To scare the bear away, make loud noises by yelling, banging pots and pans or using an airhorn. Make yourself look as big as possible by waving your arms. If you are with someone else, stand close together with your arms raised above your head.
Should you carry bear spray in Ontario?
Carry bear spray
It is legal to carry in Canada as self-defense against aggressive bears (it is illegal to use bear spray against a person—it’s many times more powerful than regular pepper spray and is considered a dangerous weapon). Used against a predatory bear, it could very well save your life!
How do you know if a bear is in your yard?
Black Bear Sign
- Bear Tracks and Trails. Bears walk on the soles of their soft feet, so they often do not leave distinct tracks unless they walk through soft mud or snow.
- Scat / Droppings.
- Marking Trees and Poles.
- Straddle Trees and Bushes.
- Feeding Sign.
- Summer Beds.
- Winter Dens.
Do barking dogs scare away bears?
Will a dog attract or detract bears? The short answer is, yes. A dog can smell a bear and alert you well in advance that something’s there, which could in turn divert a potential encounter. And a barking dog can discourage a bear from investigating a campsite.
Should you lay down if you see a bear?
Most brown bear attacks are a defensive response. Play dead in defensive situations: Hit the ground and lie still if a brown bear you have surprised or any female bear protecting cubs makes contact. Lie flat on your stomach, legs spread apart for stability, with your hands protecting the back of your neck.
What attracts a bear the most?
Bears have an insatiable appetite and an amazing sense of smell, and they consider anything with a scent to be “food.” This can include canned goods, bottles, drinks, soaps, cosmetics, toiletries, trash, ice chests, sunscreen, bug repellant, fuel, items used for preparing or eating meals, etc.
How do you scare off black bears?
Never run away from or approach him. Make yourself look as big as possible by spreading your arms or, better yet, a coat. Make as much noise as possible by yelling, banging pots and pans or using other noisemaking devices. If the bear approaches and you have bear spray, spray the bear as he approaches.
Do bears roam around at night?
Bears are usually active from dawn to dusk, but they may be seen any time of day or night. Bears in many places of high human use have become nocturnal in order to avoid people.
What time of year are bears most aggressive?
Most attacks involve grizzly bears, and occur during summer
The vast majority of attacks (66 percent) involved grizzly bears; black bears account for the other one-third of deaths.
Which bear kills the most humans?
Most fatal attacks by North American black bears during the past century were conducted by lone, male animals that stalked and then killed their human victims as prey, according to a new study by the world’s top authority on what triggers bear attacks.
How likely are bear attacks?
Bear attacks are rare; most bears are only interested in protecting food, cubs, or their space. However, being mentally prepared can help you have the most effective reaction.
Are black bears aggressive?
It’s normal to be somewhat alarmed if you come face-to-face with a black bear. But the reality is that black bears are rarely aggressive. Actual attacks by black bears are rare. Knowing how to behave when encountering bears and how rare bear attacks actually are can keep you safe and provide peace-of-mind.
What to do if a bear sneaks up on you?
Back away slowly, preferably in the direction you came. Walk, don’t run, and keep your eye on the bear so you can see how it will react. In most cases, the bear will flee.
Can a human fight a black bear?
NO WAY absolutely NOT, bears are way bigger and stronger than humans and are better armed with sharp claws and 1000psi bite force.