Fort Simpson (Sep 15/06) - Fort Simpson had its fair share of bear problems this year.

Nineteen bears had to be destroyed. This is a very high number said Carl Lafferty, a renewable resources officer in the village.

In the past few years the number has stayed between 14-15. The dead bear count, however, could have been higher, Lafferty said.

Some bears that were reported as a nuisance were not seen again, he said.

July and August were the busiest months for bear reports. The increased number of bears may have been the result of a good berry crop caused by abundant rainfall, said Lafferty.

Around the village bears were feasting on white snowberries. With that berry crop finished the bears have moved on to other areas for berry varieties such as cranberries.

This is the last chance for the bears to fill up before hibernation, said Lafferty.

By the end of October and into November the bears will be moving into their dens. It's not unusual, however, to see a bear out in the middle of the winter, he said.

For the past week and a half there have been no complaints registered with the nuisance bear reporting line. The line will be closed at the end of the month.

In Fort Liard there were a few complaints of nuisance bears this season but no bears were shot, said Ross Hagen the area manager with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

Once in awhile a bear would be spotted in the community, said Hagen.

Fort Liard's usual problem species, bison, have also kept a lower profile.

According to Hagen this was a light year in terms of bison numbers in the community.

As nuisance bear season ends hunting season is beginning.

Renewable resource officers are reminding hunters that they are required to have a valid hunting licence.

In Fort Simpson, people with general hunting licenses can go to the Department of Natural Resources office to get a validation sticker, said Lafferty.

Lafferty cautioned hunters that compliance checks will be held on highways around the region.

In Fort Liard, many people have already travelled up river to start moose hunting, Hagen said.