West Loon Lake Bear Encounter Plan

This action plan was originally devised in July 2005 in response to several bear sightings in Loon Lake area.

Reviewed and accepted to at LLCA Meeting: July 3/07

Last Revision: July 28, 2009

Once anyone on the lake has encountered a bear, everyone else should be made aware of this. It is very easy to have sudden surprise encounters in among buildings and forested areas between camps especially on windy days when it can be hard to hear approaching people or animals.

Upon encountering a bear...

1. Have all children return to the safety of the nearest camp.

2. Attempt to scare off the bear and warn your neighbours:

• Sound an air-horn or the horn on your vehicle – 3 long 10 second blasts (if it is safe to do so), or
• Sound the panic horn on your vehicle by pushing the panic button on your car remote from the safety of your camp.

3. Call your neighbours. Advise them of the direction you last saw the bear moving in.

4. Should the bear continue to roam camp to camp, each camp should sound horn blasts as well. Occupants of other camps will be able to decide if the bear is moving closer to them or moving away.

5. Once people and property are safe from bear, take the time to call the Bear Wise Hotline (1-866-514-2327) and report the sighting/threat.

6. Destroying the bear should be the action of last resort. Only when attempts to scare bear away have failed and it is decided there is a threat to life or property should members of public take action. Only skilled markspersons should attempt to destroy the bear. This should be done in the safest possible location where there is absolutely no danger of a stray bullet hitting someone or something of value.

Local West Loon Lake residents who have offered their services are:

Keith Fox: 977-2779

Bruce Miault: 977-1472

Dan Elsey: 977-2610