Rules set for hikers as bears forage in Banff

Officials in Banff National Park are setting restrictions on certain areas to minimize the risk of hikers running into grizzly bears, which are already fattening up for the winter.

Starting on Tuesday, hikers in the Alymer Pass must be in groups of at least four people over the age of 16, and those on horseback will need to be in groups of two or more.

Those venturing to the Allenby Pass must abide by the same rules beginning on Aug. 1, and will need a permit if they want to travel between Brewster Creek and Bryant Creek, the site of previous bear attacks on humans.

The idea is that a larger group will scare away the bears who come to the areas to eat buffalo berries, explained Steve Michel, a human-wildlife conflict specialist for Parks Canada.

He said hikers should always looks for signs of bears, carry bear spray and make noise while hiking.

Michel also recommends leaving pets like dogs at home, because their behaviour is unpredictable.

"They can even run up towards them, aggravate the bear, and then come running back to their owner. And that's sort of the worst case scenario," he said. "So because of the dog's unpredictable nature, it proves to be a problem much more than a benefit."

Hiking permits will be available at the Banff Information Centre. The restrictions will continue until the end of September.

The Minnewanka Lakeshore trail is not affected.