Bears are active around Lake Louise; carry bear spray

Bears are out. Sightings along the Bow River corridor have picked up as spring settles in. This is normal for this time of year, but it means anyone heading out on foot should be carrying bear spray.

Bear spray is not something you decide to bring based on the trail you picked. In the Lake Louise area, every trail is bear country. Grizzly and black bears range from valley bottom to alpine, and encounters happen on well-travelled routes as often as they do in the backcountry.

A few things worth keeping straight:

• Carry bear spray, not bear bangers or air horns. Spray is the most effective deterrent in close-range encounters and has a consistent track record of preventing injury to both people and bears.
• Keep it accessible. A canister buried in your pack does you no good. It goes on your belt or chest harness, where you can grab it in a couple of seconds.
• Know the range. Most canisters are effective out to about 8 to 10 metres. Deploy it in a short burst when the bear is within range and approaching.
• Check the expiry date. Canisters lose pressure over time. If yours is past its date, replace it before you head out.
• Each person carries their own. If you get separated from your group, you need your own canister.
• Make noise on the trail. Talk, clap, or call out periodically, especially near streams, in dense brush, or on blind corners where a bear might not hear you coming.

Parks Canada posts active bear warnings and area closures on their bulletins page. Check it before you head out and respect any closures that are in effect. Trails get closed because a bear is actively using the area, and the quickest way to get a trail reopened is to give the bear space to move on.

Bear spray is available at Wilson Mountain Sports in Lake Louise, and most outdoor retailers in Banff and Canmore. If you flew in and could not bring yours on the plane, buy or rent one locally.

Short version: the bears are doing what bears do this time of year. Carry spray, know how to use it, make noise, and check for closures before you go.