066 Finally, free roaming bison in Banff, and bear safety during buffaloberry season.

Parks Canada has just announced that it has opened the gates and finally allowed its growing herd of wild bison out of their enclosure and, for the first time, letting them wander somewhat freely within the park, at least within a 1,200 sq km release zone.

The release has happened a little later than planned. The calving season was delayed and while last year saw its first birth on Earth Day, this year calving only began on July 15. In a recent article in The Province, Banff's Resource Conservation Manager was quoted as saying:

“We’ve been expecting calves this spring, but it’s certainly been a little later than we saw last year, but because these are young cows, we also anticipated the calving dates might be stretched out over a longer period this year.

“The first two calves were born July 15 and the last of the three was born on the 19th.”

As of July 23, Park staff were hoping to see as many as 6 more additional calves.

All of that changed on August 1st when Parks Canada staff opened the gate to allow the growing herd to leave the enclosure and begin to explore their 1,200 sq. km soft-release zone.

Almost immediately, the bison zigged when the Park's staff wanted them to zag. According to the Rocky Mountain Outlook:

"The bison reportedly headed toward Scotch Camp, but were stopped on the Snow Creek Summit before being herded back towards the upper Panther River Valley."

Park staff realized they would need to guide the bison during the early part of their release. They don't want them to move east towards the plains because they have no legal status there.

All of that changed on August 1st when Parks Canada staff opened the gate to allow the growing herd to leave the enclosure and begin to explore their 1,200 sq. km soft-release zone.

Almost immediately, the bison zigged when the Park's staff wanted them to zag. According to the Rocky Mountain Outlook:

"The bison reportedly headed toward Scotch Camp, but were stopped on the Snow Creek Summit before being herded back towards the upper Panther River Valley."

Park staff realized they would need to guide the bison during the early part of their release. They don't want them to move east towards the plains because they have no legal status there.

Bears, Buffaloberry, and Bikes

Well, it's already happened this year! On Saturday, July 21 a mountain biker collided at high speed with a black bear at the Canmore Nordic Centre. Just last week, I warned that the buffaloberry season was upon us and that we need to begin to be extra vigilant.

According to a story in the Rocky Mountain Outlook, Alberta Environment and Parks human-wildlife conflict specialist Jay Honeyman stated:

"They were coming downhill at a fairly good clip and came over a rise and there was the bear…He literally hit and flattened the bear and got knocked off his bike."

Luckily, the rider had bear spray on his person and he got ready to deploy it, but the stunned bear took off before he needed to spray it. He also saw a second bear that also ran away from the commotion.

Here are 10 tips for staying safe while riding and hiking during buffaloberry season:

1. Make lots of noise. Since bears are not paying attention to what's happening around them while they're busy mowing down their berry feast, it's important that we make lots and lots of noise; and not all noise is created equal. The best sound is the sound of your voice. Bears know that humans mean danger and if they know you're coming before you arrive, then they'll usually move away from the trail until you pass. You probably won't even know they were there. Bear bells are just marketing hype and they won't keep you safe. Just throw them in the garbage. You're more likely to be killed by your hiking companions for the sheer irritation they provide.
2. Remember that sound may not travel as fast as you do. Much like the sound of an approaching train, it isn't always as evident when the train is approaching. The bear may not hear you if you're flying down the hill. Slow down, and if possible, stop before the descent and give a loud "Hey bear" before you slowly go down the hill.
3. Learn to recognize buffaloberry. If you learn one plant in the mountains, make it buffaloberry. If the trail is lined with these tasty morsels, then the chance of meeting a bear goes up dramatically. If the trail is berry free, it doesn't mean there won't be a bear, but the odds at this time of year will have the bear focusing on berry-rich sites.
4. Make sure you have bear spray and know how to use it. It's also critical that the spray is on your person and not on your bike. This recent encounter really brings this to the forefront. The rider collided with the bear and was ejected from his bike. Had the spray been on the forks or handlebars of the bike, he would have been separated from it just when he needed it most. The same goes with spray on or in your pack. Encounters happen fast and without warning. Have it on your body and you'll have it when you need it. You also want to practice so you don't have to think about how to deploy it when the time comes.
5. Head to the high country. While this tip may not apply to mountain bikers, it definitely is a good one for hikers. Since the berries happen at lower elevations, this is a good time to go high. While the berries are more common in the valley bottom, they can extend into the subalpine as well. This is a great time to bag those peaks and passes. Trails like the Centennial Ridge Trail (the highest trail in the Canadian Rockies), Ha Ling (check the trail report as they are doing trail maintenance), and scrambles like the East End of Rundle are perfect choices. Keep in mind that the approaches will likely be at a lower elevation so keep an eye on the foliage and if buffaloberries are present, make a ton of noise.
6. Watch for droppings. When bears are mowing down massive quantities of berries, let's just say, it keeps them regular. Watch for dark red piles of former buffaloberries. If it looks fresh, then it's likely the bear may still be in the area.
7. Look for moving bushes. Very large bears can completely disappear behind a buffaloberry bush. Sometimes the easiest way to spot the bear is to not look for the bear. Look for something that doesn't belong - like one bush moving when none of the others are. On a still day, this can often be a sure sign that something is hanging out behind the bush.
8. Keep dogs on leash; or better yet, leave them at home. I know you want to hike with your dog, but every encounter with wildlife has a worse outcome when a dog is involved. They are likely to be perceived as a threat by a bear and now you are also perceived as a threat. Take Fido to the off-leash area and give him a good run there. Be aware though that the margins of the Grassi Lakes off-leash area are also a great habitat for buffaloberries so watch if he's playing too close to this area.
9. Leave your earbuds at home. One of the most dangerous things you can do in bear country is to wear earbuds when walking on trails - even within the townsite boundaries. When you wear earbuds, you're not aware of the sounds around you. You are not paying attention to what's happening around you. Earbuds put you at a much higher risk of a negative encounter, and you won't even hear it approaching. When you're out in nature, pay attention to nature, and stay safe.
10. Respect closures. During buffaloberry season, it's much easier to manage people than bears. Unfortunately, in the recent past, locals and tourists alike have violated closures with the mistaken belief that they don't apply to them. Alberta Environment and Parks, Parks Canada, and the Towns of Canmore and Banff take these closures very seriously. If you're caught you will be charged! Don't put a bear's life at risk simply because you were too lazy to walk around the closure. Always remember that you are also a risk by ignoring closure signs.

For the full show notes for this episode, visit www.MountainNaturePodcast.com/ep066