A final thought is that there is a finite population of black bears in the Kawarthas and the Peterborough area, and their reproduction process is quite slow.
Where are black bears found 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).
What time of year are black bears most active?
Bear Behavior
Bears are most active during early morning and late evening hours in spring and summer. Mating usually takes place in July. Both female and male bears may have more than one mate during the summer. Bears choose a denning site with the coming of cold weather.
Are black bear active at night?
Behavior: Most bears become active a half-hour before sunrise, take a nap or two during the day, and bed down for the night an hour or two after sunset. Some bears are active mainly at night to avoid people or other bears. Black bears are considered highly efficient hibernators.
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.
How do you know if a black bear is in the area?
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.
What to do if a black bear approaches you?
Back away when possible. If attacked, immediately fight back. DON’T feed bears. A word about bear spray: Bear spray (pepper spray specifically made as a bear deterrent) can be an effective tool if you encounter an aggressive bear.
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 black bears wander 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.
How aggressive are black bears?
Black bears are dangerous wild animals that can act aggressively when threatened; yet there are a very low number of fatal bear attacks yearly. There is an average of one fatal black bear attack in North America every year, according to AZ Animals, which lists a total of 16 fatal attacks since 2010.
What is a bear afraid of?
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.
What attracts a black bear?
Bears are attracted to anything that smells; it doesn’t even need to smell good. Garbage, compost piles, dirty diapers, pizza boxes, empty beverage cans…to a hungry black bear, it all smells like something good to eat. Bears are curious and always exploring.
Can you smell a bear before you see it?
A person can sniff the entrance of a suspected den and tell if it’s just earth or a bear in there. But the light odor is pleasant, at least to us with a bias for bears. Mothers have been eating and recycling the nutrients evacuated by cubs.
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 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.
Are there wolves in Ontario?
Ontario’s Algonquin Wolf population is estimated to be fewer than 500 mature individuals. A core concentration of Algonquin Wolf can be found in Algonquin Provincial Park and surrounding townships.
Do you yell if you see a black bear?
Do not make any loud noises or screams—the bear may think it’s the sound of a prey animal. Slowly wave your arms above your head and tell the bear to back off. Do NOT run or make any sudden movements. Do not make any loud noises or screams—the bear may think it’s the sound of a prey animal.
Do you scream if you see a black bear?
Alter your route or back away slowly, preferably in the direction you came. Walk, do not run, and keep your eye on the bear so you can see how it reacts. In most cases, the bear will flee. If the bear walks toward you, act boldly, yelling and throwing something at it.
Does noise attract black bears?
While hiking, normal trail noise will alert bears to your presence and often prompt them to move without being noticed. If you see a bear, it may not immediately recognize you as a human and may be curious until it scents you.
What smells will keep bears away?
Scent Deterrents
A bear’s nose is 100 times more sensitive than a human’s. If you find bleach or ammonia fumes unpleasant, you can imagine what they smell like to a bear. Bleach or ammonia- based cleaners are good for trash cans and other areas where strong scents could attract bears.
What does it mean when a black bear snorts at you?
These are basically expressions of fear, nervousness and apprehension. The bear usually retreats after it makes this sound. Another sound that is often misinterpreted by people as threatening is chomping or clacking the teeth.