The bears have been coming closer again this spring. I have seen a lot of recent bear scat on some of the lesser-used trails in Forests For the World, some even quite close to the parking lot.
But I was still surprised when, on Thursday just past, I happened on a bear with a tiny cub while I was hiking the Otway trail, not far from the university, near the yellow sign warning people that Otway was still a long ways off. This is a main trail that has become heavily used not only by hikers but also by cyclists and joggers, so I did not expect a bear staying right on this trail.
The bear was equally surprised at our encounter, and proceeded to charge me in obligatory manner in order to protect her cub. I backed away slowly and when the bear was about 20 or 30 feet from me, I instinctively said “NO” and waved my walking stick in the air.
At that, she veered off the trail about 10 feet to the side and regarded me. I continued to back away slowly and talk calmly, but the bear gave me to believe that she was going to stay there and that she did not care if she was blocking my way back to the university. I had to turn and find my way back through Forests For The World via the new, lowland trail.
I don’t blame the bear for being there. But I also don’t want to have to hear about a similar encounter with a cyclist or jogger gone wrong. They go through the woods too fast and without consideration. The surprise might be too much for the bear to react in the best possible way. Who is going to bear the cost for such an encounter gone wrong, the bear or the visitor or both?
Traditionally, the trails were for hikers who took an interest in the natural world. They learned to know the animals, the plants, and the rocks, and they appreciated the spiritual value of the scenery in quiet.
Instead, you now see lone speedsters cycling or jogging as if they were on an athletic circuit, or groups of people walking the trails chattering as if they were sitting in a coffee house, all almost oblivious to their surroundings.
How disrespectful can you get?
No, I’m with the bears on this one.
Ralf Peters
Prince George
