FTLOB on the alaskan Highway
FTLOB took to the Alaskan (i.e. Alcan) Highway to find out out how our Canadian neighbors keep bear incidents down on this historical 1390 mile journey.
Constructed during WWII, the Alcan Highway opened to the public in 1948 to connect the contiguous United States with Alaska. FTLOB made our mark at the starting point in Dawson Creek, British Columbia.
Can you spot the For the Love of Bears sticker?
Over the course of 3 days, FTLOB board members continued North, taking note of bear education and mitigation efforts to encourage the right behaviors in dense bear country.
Right off the bat, we noted trash cans every few miles stretching the entire 1390 miles, and not just any trash cans, bear resistant trash cans. Stopping to use the receptacles procured by Canadian officials, they appeared to be heavily used. This not only keeps trash off roadside, preserving the beauty of the landscape, but also ensures bears are not learning bad behaviors by allowing them to access trash.
In terms of education, our Canadian friends did not shy away from large (and we mean LARGE) signs regarding all things wild. From bear safety and awareness signs, to cautionary signs for wood bison the the roadway, it was apparent that education and signage is taken seriously.
You will also note the language on the signs is more direct than the often quoted “a fed bear is a dead bear”. It is clear that education focuses managing human behaviors, rather than the bear’s behavior.
So, did we see any bears along the way? You betcha!
Our final total for the trip was:
8 Grizzly bears
4 Black bears
1 Moose
1 Fox
~30 Bighorn sheep
1 Stone sheep
~6 Dall sheep
~100 Wood bison
3 Elk
Countless whitetail and mule deer
2 Porcupine
And a whole lotta mountains.
Not only were we impressed by the trash management and bear education along the Alcan, but we were absolutely stunned by the views.
