Wildlife Safety Education
Know the wildlife. Protect yourself and them.
Evidence-based guides for hiking in bear and cougar country — and for being a responsible presence in the wilderness. Always free.
What to Do in a Bear Encounter
Step-by-step protocols for grizzly and black bear encounters. Defensive vs predatory behavior, and when each response applies.
What to Do in a Cougar Encounter
Cougar encounters require a completely different response than bear encounters. Never play dead. Never run.
Black Bear vs Grizzly: How to Tell
Identifying the species matters because the correct response is different. Key visual differences, even at a distance.
Bear Spray: How to Use It
Bear spray is the single most effective deterrent in a charging bear encounter. But only if you know how to deploy it.
Avoiding Encounters on the Trail
The best encounter is the one that never happens. How to travel safely in bear and cougar country.
Reading Bear Signs on the Trail
Tracks, scat, diggings, claw marks, and other field signs that tell you bears have been active in the area.
Food Storage and Camp Safety
Proper food storage and camp setup are the foundation of bear safety. Garbage-habituated bears are the most dangerous.
Bears in Your Neighbourhood
What to do when bears wander into residential areas. Protecting pets, children, and garbage. Reducing attractants.
Avoiding Bear Tourism
Seeking out bears to watch or photograph habituates them to humans — and habituated bears get killed. How to use sighting data responsibly and protect the animals you love.
Safety information informed by Stephen Herrero's Bear Attacks: Their Causes and Avoidance (3rd Edition), Parks Canada, BC Conservation Officer Service, and peer-reviewed wildlife research. This content supplements but does not replace proper safety training and preparation.