LIIDLII KUE/FORT SIMPSON
In the 48 hours between July 25 and 27, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources in Fort Simpson received 42 calls to its wildlife emergency line.

Carl Lafferty, regional superintendant for the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, sets up a live bear trap in Wildrose Acres southeast of Fort Simpson. The playground in Wildrose Acres is currently off-limits while the department stakes out a problematic bear. - April Hudson/NNSL photo

Each of those callers told similar stories: a bear had been spotted, or was skulking around the yard.

On July 27, department members in Fort Simpson killed three bears. By 11 a.m. on July 28, another three had been killed. Some were trying to get into porches, attracted by bags of garbage. All were caught eating garbage.

Carl Lafferty, the department's regional superintendent, says there are at minimum nine bears hanging out around Fort Simpson. They have been spotted together at the landfill, and over the weekend they roamed into subdivisions.

"We're catching them red-handed," Lafferty said.

"Garbage crews don't haul on weekends. The problem is, people take their garbage and they put it in the bin (days before) garbage day. Then bears get into it."

Lafferty said people who are not sure when their garbage gets picked up should check, and strive not to leave piles of garbage outside their homes for bears to investigate.

"Usually, we end up destroying 13 to 15 black bears per year - that includes in smaller communities," he said.

"On July 27, we were overrun."

The department's criteria for putting down problem bears is fairly simple: if they are creating an issue in town by seeking out garbage or are caught trying to get into houses, they are dealt with accordingly.

The weekend of July 25 and 26 was especially bad.

"Because garbage wasn't running on the weekend, there was a lack of fresh garbage at the landfill," Lafferty said.

"Bears went into town to rummage through the garbage there, instead."

Another draw for bears is dogwood berries, which are commonly found around the Deh Cho region. Lafferty said it is important to get rid of any bushes around houses and in town.

On July 27, Lafferty and his colleague Kelly Pennycook dragged a live bear trap out to the playground at Wildrose Acres, where a large black bear has been reported.

The trap's purpose is twofold: first and foremost, to catch the bear before it becomes a problem, which will allow them to release it in a safe location away from Fort Simpson; and to ward people off from using the playground.

"We want people to know the bear is in the area so they will steer clear," Lafferty said.

The department's wildlife management officers use natural bait whenever possible, such as wild game. If none is available, they will sometimes use bacon.

Once the bear is inside the trap, the metal door swings shut and locks it in.

"You have to be careful, because once the bear is captured, you can't really see inside (the trap) - but you can hear it hissing and snuffling," Lafferty said.

Traps are designed so officers can release the bear without putting themselves in danger. They team up and keep a firearm nearby for protection.

"We view bears as dangerous, wild creatures. Safety always comes first," Lafferty said.

Additionally, officers have learned not to be fooled by the size of the bear.

"We've had calls about small bears that actually end up being quite old and starving, so they've shrunk down. They're very predatory," he said.

All bear sighting should be reported to the department, but Lafferty said some calls are prioritized above others.

"The most important information is when you're in trouble - if a bear is trying to get into your house, or if it's threatening you," he said.

Sometimes, like over the weekend, calls will come in all at once and some people will not be able to get through.

"If people can't get through, keep trying," Lafferty said. "We want to reassure people we're still responding."

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