Darren Campbell
Northern News Services

FORT SMITH (Jul 27/98) - Fort Smith got the bear facts last weekend.

The Department of Resources, Fort Smith RCMP and the town bylaw officer went on a three-hour chase on July 25 when a bear that wandered into town and would not leave.

During that chase they also ran into two other bears in the bush near the town. Roadblocks were even set up around the area that was being searched.

The two-year-old, 72-kilogram black bear was killed near Peterson's Small Engines said Fort Smith bylaw officer Doug Norrad.

"He didn't seem like he was leaving and that is why he was disposed of," said Norrad. "Otherwise he could have walked off."

So far, it has not been a busy year for bears wandering into Fort Smith. This was the third one that has been spotted in town that he was aware of. Norrad said there is a bear migratory route near the town that the animals use to look for berry patches all the time. Because this bear was young and inexperienced, it may have wandered off course and ended up in town.

He added that there are plenty of bears in the area and having a few come into town doesn't affect the residents too much.

"I've been here 20 years, seen plenty of bears and never had a problem," said Norrad.

As for other communities in the NWT, Alan Helmer, a renewable resources officer in Hay River, said he hasn't been that busy chasing black bears this summer.

He said most years his office gets between 30 to 40 bear complaints. This year they have had six and Helmer suspect there is plenty of food for them in the bush.

"There are lots of ripe berries and they are sticking along the river bank and out of the community," said Helmer.

He said even with their usual 30 complaints, it doesn't bother most residents. They know enough to leave bears alone when they see one. Tourists vacationing in the area are another matter, though.

"They tend to feed bears in the campgrounds," said Helmer. "And once they (bears) associate humans with food you run into problems."

And while it hasn't been a busy bear season in Hay River, Fort Simpson has another story.

Renewable resources officer Ken Davidge said they have had plenty of bear sightings in Fort Simpson since the spring. However, he said, it is the same five black bears being sighted.

He said there is one reason why venture into town: "It's a smorgasbord for berries here," said Davidge. "We've got berries all over the place."

Davidge advises anyone who comes near a bear to keep their distance from them and no to be afraid to talk loud because bears will be scared off by noise. Also be aware of evidence that bears are in the area, such as trampled bushes or paw prints.