Welcome to Bear Country
Nestled in beautiful Northern BC, Smithers is surrounded by nature. With this comes the responsibility of co-existing with our local wildlife, including bears. Being bear aware in our community is important to protect the lives of bears, and keep human interactions to a minimum.
Smithers is home to both black bears and grizzly bears. It’s normal for bears to travel through our community to access natural food sources or relocate to areas once included in their natural home range. However, when bears begin to utilize human-provided food sources, it creates the potential for human-bear conflict.
Save a Bear's Life
Every year hundreds of bears are destroyed in BC as a result of conflicts between people and bears. Addressing the source of human-bear conflict reduces the risk to human safety and the number of bears that are destroyed.
Do your part:
- Keep your garbage inside a garage or bear-proof shed until the morning of garbage collection.
- Clean out your garbage can regularly to avoid lingering odours.
- Use our community recycling services as much as you can - Separating your paper, glass, plastic, tins, and cardboard from your “smelly” garbage will leave an average household with fewer overflowing bags per week.
- Keep pet and livestock food stored inside.
- Only user birdfeeders in the winter months.
- Manage your fruit trees and bushes. As soon as the fruit is ripe, harvest it, and make sure to clean up the area. Unmanaged fruit trees attract and create a food-conditioned, habituated bear!
- Thoroughly clean your BBQ and store it away safely.
The provincial Wildlife Act states that it is unlawful to leave attractants accessible to bears – this includes garbage, BBQs, fruit trees, and bird feeders – and failure to take responsibility may net you a fine of up to $575 from Conservation Officers.
The Town of Smithers has free black bear educational door hangers, donated by The Fur Bearers, available for personal distribution in your neighbourhood. Visit Town Hall at 1027 Aldous Street for pickup.
Stay Safe in Bear Country
- Make noises and speak loudly when walking or biking to alert bears in the area.
- Travel in a group whenever possible.
- Use officially marked trails and only hike or bike during daylight hours.
- Keep pets on leashes at all times, even in off-leash areas as bears can become aggressive if they mistake unleashed dogs for predators.
- Maintain a safe distance, especially if it is a mother bear and her cubs.
- Stop, remain calm, and do not face away, scream, or run.
- Carry bear spray and know how to use it.
Report an aggressive bear or injured animal to the Conservation Officer Service through the 24-hour hotline at 1-877-952-7277. For more information on what to do if you encounter a bear visit www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/environment/plants-animals-ecosystems/wildlife/human-wildlife-conflict/staying-safe-around-wildlife/bears