DEH CHO - Bears are already out of hibernation and active around at least one Deh Cho community leading officials with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources to caution residents.

As of April 23 there were two confirmed sightings of bears near Fort Simpson. Two bears, probably a sow and her yearling cub, were spotted at the recycling depot. Another large bear was seen at the dump, said Doug Villeneuve, the manager of wildlife and environment in the Deh Cho region.

In the Deh Cho, bears that become habituated to human food sources can turn into nuisance animals. - NNSL file photo

Although it's not unusual to see bears in April more of the animals are emerging earlier than normal, said Villeneuve. Bears usually become active in May. An early spring may be responsible for the increased activity, he said.

Residents need to take precautions because the bears have used up their stores of winter fat and are looking for food, said Villeneuve.

"This time of year food sources are scant so they will look for anything they can find," he said.

To avoid attracting bears near their houses people should put their garbage out the night before their scheduled pick-up. Residents should also avoid walking alone in the early mornings or late at night, said Villeneuve.

People are encouraged to report any bear or other animal sightings to the Wildlife Emergency Line, which has already been activated. If you see an officer pursuing or deterring a bear stay away from the area, Villeneuve said. It looks exciting but it's for everyone's safety.

"It can get quite dangerous," he said.

Bears become nuisance animals when they become habituated to humans and human related food sources and lose their fear.

"The saying 'a fed bear is a dead bear' is quite true," said Villeneuve.

Last year the Fort Simpson office received more than 50 bear complaints. Approximately 15 bears had to be destroyed.

"We'd like to see those numbers reduced, obviously," Villeneuve said.

Problem bears are less of an issue in other Deh Cho communities. Prior to starting his current position in November Villeneuve was a Renewable Resource Officer in Fort Liard.

Fort Liard has an average of five bear complaints each year. Only one bear had to be destroyed in the hamlet last year.

The difference between the two communities, in part, could be the landfills. The community dump is located quite a distance from Fort Liard in contrast to Fort Simpson where it is closer, said Villeneuve. The Fort Liard valley is also a wildlife travelling corridor so most of the bear sightings are just animals that are passing through, he said.

In Fort Providence, Evelyn Krutko, a Renewable Resource Officer, has seen an increase in bear complaints since the local landfill has stopped burning its garbage.

When the garbage was burned there were very few complaints. Since the burns were stopped five years ago problem bear numbers have risen, she said.

Last year six bears were destroyed in the hamlet and approximately 12 more were captured and relocated along the highway. Krutko urges residents to "just use common sense," when it comes to bears.

Other information about bears and bear safety can be found in the booklet Safety in Grizzly and Black Bear Country, which is available at ENR offices.