Albertans warned bears are emerging from dens as hibernation ends

A stock photo of a bear. (Pexels/Janko Ferlic)

As the weather begins to warm, Albertans are warned to be cautious when heading out for hikes or other outdoor activities, as bears are starting to emerge from their dens.

“This is the time of year when we ask people to start shifting their mindset from the winter activities and skiing to considering bear safety when they go out to recreate,” said Forestry and Parks ecologist John Paczkowski in an interview with CTV News.

“Over the last few weeks, bears have started coming out of their dens and are starting to move about the landscape, and while some bears still remain in their dens for another few weeks, it’s the start of bear season.”

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“The Boss,” one of Banff’s best-known bears, was spotted in the Lower Bow Valley earlier this week.

The large male grizzly (officially known as grizzly bear 122) was captured on a trail camera after a long winter of hibernating.

Spring can be a high-risk period for human-bear encounters as black bears and grizzlies emerge in search of food.

“Especially in mountainous environments, there’s still a lot of snow up high in the mountains, and those bears, the first thing they’ll do is start ambling down towards the valley bottom, where it’s a little warmer, and that’s where they’re going to find that first flush of green vegetation,” Paczkowski said.

“That’s also where there’s going to be a high probability of them bumping into people who are recreating, and some are still skiing or doing some early spring hiking.”

The lack of food can draw bears closer to trails, roads, campsites and residential areas.

They can be attracted to unsecured garbage, pet food, compost, birdseed and natural or decorative fruit.

“Black bears and grizzly bears hibernate for different periods of time, and that’s mostly driven by their age and their sex,” Paczkowski said. “So typically, males hibernate for less time, and females, especially females with cubs, hibernate longer.”

He said males typically start emerging in mid-April, while females come out in late April or May.

“Especially a female with young cubs, she might stay at or around the den site into June, because it’s a lot easier to manage your little babies if you’re if you’re in a high safe place.”

In an effort to reduce the number of bear-human encounters, conservation program WildSmart is holding Bear Day 2025 on Saturday.

The event will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Canmore Nordic Centre.

According to WildSmart, the event is a “celebration and welcoming” of bears back to the landscape for another year.

“When you’re going out and you set foot out of the car, you should be expecting bear encounters,” Paczkowski said.

“That means carry bear spray if you can travel in a group, make noise so you’re not having a surprise encounter with bears, and make sure you take your garbage that you came with home with you.”

Bear Day will include indoor and outdoor celebrations, bear safety talks and a bear trapping demonstration.

The event is free and family friendly.

Bear sightings or incidents in Kananaskis Country can be reported to Kananaskis Emergency Services at 403-591-7755.

If outside Kananaskis Country, Albertans can report any bear sightings or dangerous wildlife activity to Fish and Wildlife Enforcement Services by calling 1-800-642-3800.