Black Bear Hibernation Ending Early in Ontario—Here’s How to Avoid Encounters

A black bear is seen near Lake Louise, Alta., in June 2020. The Canadian Press/Jonathan Hayward

Nap time is over for much of Ontario’s black bear population.

Spring-like weather across Ontario means a shorter hibernation period for the province’s 100,000 black bears, causing many of the bruins to forage for food in unexpected areas.

The early end to hibernation this year has prompted the provincial government and the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) to issue a warning to the public to “exercise caution” when outdoors.

“At this time of year, there is little natural food for bears, causing them to search for other food sources, including garbage and bird feed,” the OPP and province said in a joint release.

Bears have a keen memory for previous food sources and have been known to travel more than 100 kilometres to return to a known food source when hungry, they said.

To keep bears in the wild and out of your yard, the OPP and provincial government suggest implementing a few common sense safety precautions:

• Storing garbage in waste containers with tight-fitting lids, indoors if possible.
• Waiting until pickup day to put out garbage.
• Removing bird feeders during the spring and summer months.
• Cleaning food residue and grease from outdoor barbecue grills, including the grease traps, after each use.
• Keeping pet food indoors.

 What to Do If You Encounter a Bear

If you encounter a bear while out in nature, staying calm is key to staying safe, according to an environment ministry facts page.

“Slowly back away while keeping the bear in sight and wait for it to leave,” the ministry advises. “Throw objects, wave your arms and make noise with a whistle, air horn or yelling if the bear does not leave.”

The ministry advises carrying bear spray and using it to defend yourself if a bear attacks. It advises against running, climbing a tree or trying to swim away. Kneeling down and making eye contact are also mistakes.

If a bear attacks, “fight back with everything you have,” the ministry said. “Do not play dead unless you are sure you are being attacked by a mother bear defending her cubs.”

The ministry also recommended keeping dogs on a leash when walking because unleashed dogs “can lead bears back to owners and cause defensive bear attacks on people.”

Black bears shy away from human encounters and will not attack unless they feel threatened. To keep bears at bay when in the woods, be as noisy as possible. The ministry recommends talking, whistling, or singing when in areas with restricted visibility or to be heard above the noise made by streams, waterfalls, or strong winds.

Black bears live throughout the province in forested areas where they are able to find food, refuge and den sites. They enter hibernation in October or November and typically remain in their dens until April, unless spring arrives early.