North Okanagan Bear Season Begins as Wildlife Wakes for Spring
- 3 days ago
- 2 min read
VERNON BC - It’s that time of year again in the North Okanagan, as black bears begin emerging from hibernation and becoming more active across the region.
According to the BC Conservation Officer Service, bears in B.C.’s interior valleys typically wake up between March and early April. By this time of year, they are actively searching for food after losing significant body weight over the winter.
Wildlife officials say sightings are already increasing around trails, rural properties, and the edges of communities, including the Vernon area. While bears may appear groggy at first, they quickly become more active during the day as they look for easy food sources such as green vegetation, garbage, bird feeders, fruit trees, and compost.
The Conservation Officer Service is reminding residents and businesses to secure anything that could attract wildlife.
That includes keeping garbage stored indoors or in secure containers, ensuring fruit is picked from trees and off the ground, removing or limiting bird feeders, and not leaving pet food outside.
Officials also stress that garbage should never be set out the night before collection, when bears are most likely to be active.
“Everyone has a role to play when it comes to reducing human-wildlife conflicts,” the agency noted in a recent reminder, adding that preventing access to attractants is key to keeping both people and bears safe.
Black bears are the most common species in the Okanagan, while grizzly bears are rare in populated areas.
Residents heading outdoors are advised to make noise on trails, carry bear spray in bear country, and never approach or feed wildlife.
What to do if you encounter a bear:
Do:
Stay calm and assess the situation
Back away slowly and give the bear plenty of space
Make yourself look larger and speak in a calm, firm voice
Keep dogs under control and close to you
Use bear spray if the bear approaches
Don’t:
Don’t run, as it may trigger a chase response
Don’t turn your back on the bear
Don’t approach or try to feed it
Don’t leave food or garbage behind
Spring marks the beginning of what’s commonly known as “bear season,” which typically runs through November.
North Okanagan Bear Season Begins as Wildlife Wakes for Spring
Comments