A reminder from Nelson’s Wild Safe BC coordinator to be bear aware this time of year. David White says grizzlies like to come down from the mountains and feed on certain types of vegetation.
“Anywhere around Nelson that’s kind of interfacing with the mountains you can possible run into grizzlies this time of year,” warned White.
He also cautioned people to secure their attractants such as garbage, compost, and chickens. Electric fencing is a good idea, as is carrying bear spray if you’re headed up into the trails.
There’s already been some grizzly sightings in the area which started a couple weeks ago near Rosemont.
“A mother with cubs, maybe the same ones, she’s been around the golf course and then she’s maybe been around the cemetery,” said White.
If you encounter a grizzly, White says to stay calm, talk to the bear calmly and back away.
After mid-June, the bears usually move to higher elevation.