For the past month bears have been very active not just in Salmon Arm but at our club. Please help keep yourself, others and bears safe by doing the following on our grounds:
1. Do not leave foodstuffs or food garbage around. That includes in your car. Bears are strong enough and smart enough to access your car. Cleaning up after a bear has been inside is not pleasant and will be an interesting story to tell to your insurance broker.
If you have used the barbeque at the Trap House you must clean it of all char and food debris. Animals have very acute senses and can smell even the smallest particle of leftover food.
If you see a garbage situation that you cannot deal with yourself that needs attending please inform the office.
2. Pay attention to your surroundings while walking to and from the ranges. Bears and other animals can be surprised by the sudden appearance of humans and act unpredictably. Make noise to announce your presence, especially when walking in the forested areas such as on the archery trails.
3. Bears and other animals do not respect berms, shooting hours, cease fires, red flags or range commands. If an animal appears on a range that is in use, call a cease fire so that humans can stop firing. Do not approach or antagonize a bear but make your presence known. There is nothing to eat on a range so a bear will likely move on. Do not run as that can trigger unpredictable behaviour. If you must move, back away slowly until you can get to a safe place.
4. Bear hazing or interdicting bear activity should be left to those trained to do so. Inform a Range Officer of the appearance of a bear so that others can be warned of their presence. If there are no Range Officers present, call a Conservation Officer through 1-877-952-7277.
5. Bears and other animals on Burke Mountain are conditioned to the sound of gun fire so do not expect that they will necessarily be deterred by your gun. Do not take ‘warning shots’ or shots close to them as, again, their behaviour may be unpredictable. You are also reminded that every shot you take you must accounted for and under no circumstances may you shoot anywhere other than into a berm.
6. Absolutely no hunting is permitted within our grounds.
With your help we can ensure that we continue to live side by side with our furry neighbours.