Bear Safety & Solutions

What Time Is It? ā€” Bear Time!!

Thereā€™s something about bears that has always captured the human imagination. These animals prove again and again that they are peaceful, capable, and remarkably fair in the way they move through the world. With a little knowledge, people would see that their behaviours are reasonable and predictable. Nothing a bear does is random or unexplainable if we take the time to understand them.

Bears mostly manage their lives with kindness and calm, especially when they live in close proximity to people. They remind us that true strength isnā€™t bullyish, but something more predictable, soft, and ever so gentle at the same time.

Bears show us what it means to share space with others respectfully. They adapt, they observe, and they almost always choose peaceā€”far more often than we will ever know. Our appreciation for them comes from that graceā€”this beautiful mix of independence, interdependence, curiosity, and an unexpected willingness to live with people in a thoughtful and kind way.

To some, it is surprising that even a giant grizzly bear like Banffā€™s ā€œThe Boss,ā€ or a massive male black bearā€”both powerful, built with big teeth and sharp clawsā€”actually carries softness and grace in their nuances and in the way they respond to others. Bears feel the same emotions and feelings of concern that all mammals do, including humans.

It seems we are not so different. Letā€™s help them get through the season safely by doing our part, knowing they will do theirs.

-Ellie Lamb
(Bear Behaviour Educator and CBVA Guide)

-Tina James
(Bear Safety Guardian for Whistler)

šŸ» Checklist for Helping Bears Stay Safe

šŸŒ² 1. Secure All Food Sources

  • Store garbage in bear resistant bins and keep them in your garage or locked shed
  • Freeze smelly food scraps until garbage day
  • Clean recycling to remove food residue
  • Never leave pet food outsideā€”especially not on the porch
  • Remove bird feeders during active bear seasons

šŸ” 2. Keep Your Property ā€œBear Uninterestingā€

  • Pick ripe fruit from trees and bushes promptly
  • Clean BBQ grills thoroughly after each use
  • Keep compost well managed and covered
  • Never leave coolers, scented items, or groceries outside

šŸš¶ 3. Be Predictable When Outdoors

  • Make noise when hiking so you donā€™t surprise a bear
  • Keep dogs leashed; loose dogs escalate encounters and create bad experiences for bears
  • Stay aware of your surroundings, especially near berry patches or streams

šŸ§­ 4. Respect Their Space

  • Give bears lots of room to move away
  • Never approach a bear for photos
  • Back away calmly if you encounter one
  • Teach children how to behave calmly and confidently around bears, and never promote fear of them

šŸ˜ļø 5. Help Your Community Stay Bear Smart

  • Report unsecured attractants to local wildlife officers
  • Share information with neighbours about keeping yards clean
  • Support bear aware programs and signage in your area

šŸ¾ 6. Remember at the Heart of It

  • Bears arenā€™t looking for troubleā€”theyā€™re looking for food and safety. This is why young bears, older bears, and mother bears are often the ones we see.
  • When we remove attractants, we protect them from being killed by authorities.
  • Never push a bear off attractants; instead, wait for them to leave, then secure the attractant properly.

BearKind Solutions: Humane Electric Deterrents

Introduction

Electric bear mats and electric fencing have become some of the most effective, humane, and reliable tools for keeping bears out of areas where they simply shouldn’t be. These systems create a strong but harmless deterrent that teaches bears to avoid high risk zonesā€”protecting both people and wildlife. Electric mats and electric fencing are symbols of fairness and respect towards our bears. It demonstrates a commitment to keeping both communities and our bears safe.

Canadian Innovation

Canadian made electric bear mats from Margo Supplies in High River, Alberta offer a low profile, easy to install solution ideal for entryways, decks, sheds, and other access points where bears may try to push in to gain access. When paired with properly installed electric fencing, they form a powerful barrier system that reinforces boundaries without causing injury.

Complementary Tools

The Margo Critter Guard is a proven stop gap measure when e-mats or e-fencing canā€™t be installed immediately. This portable deterrent can be placed or removed in seconds, making it perfect for temporary problem areas or seasonal attractants.

Practical Applications

Electric fencing is especially important around gardens, livestock pens, fruit trees, chicken coops, and fieldsā€”places where bears are drawn by food sources. Electric mats, on the other hand, are ideal for porches, garages, and doorways, where bears may attempt to enter buildings.

Stewardship and Coexistence

From BearKindā€™s perspective, these simple technologies are more than equipmentā€”they represent a commitment to sharing space and a kind respect for the lives of our bears. Every successful deterrent prevents a bear from being relocated or killed. By choosing proven tools like electric mats, fencing, and Critter Guards, communities take a proactive, compassionate step toward reducing conflict and keeping bears safely on the landscape.

This is practical, evidence based stewardship that protects wildlife and strengthens our shared responsibility to live respectfully alongside bears.

Demonstrations and Examples

Creative Solutions

A resourceful resident in North Vancouver designed a ā€œbear doorā€ in his fence to allow a bear to pass safely through his yardā€”a creative example of coexistence and respect for wildlife movement.
Related Organizations

  • Margo Supplies (High River, Canada)
  • Bear ier Solutions (United States)

Both companies develop products that help people and bears share landscapes safely. Margo Supplies of High River Canada carry Bear-ier Solutions and sells to individuals and communities.

BearKindā€™s Message

Electric mats and fencing are not just deterrentsā€”they are symbols of coexistence and respect. Each successful installation prevents property damage and the cruel, unnecessary trapping and killing of our bears. By adopting these humane technologies, communities across Canada and beyond demonstrate that compassion and practicality can support both bears and humans ability to peacefully share areas together as they did so historically.