How to - Be Bear Wise

Ontario Parks Insider

Black bears having been getting a lot of press lately; enough that you might even worry about your upcoming camping trip. Getting the facts about black bears will start you on your way to a peaceful co-existence with these impressive creatures. According to Lee-Ann Choquette, Communications Advisor for the MNR Bear Wise Program, there are some misconceptions around black bear ecology.

A common misconception is that black bear populations have recently increased quickly. Choquette tells us that that is not the case. “Black bear populations do not increase quickly. Female black bears typically start to reproduce at from five to seven years of age, and have an average litter of between two and three cubs every other year.”

Choquette continued to correct some of the misunderstandings about the alleged natural aggressiveness of black bears. “Black bears are normally wary around people and work to avoid us. They are however, big and powerful wild animals that focus their entire life (outside of hibernating) on finding food. Black bears will lose their natural fear of people when they get used to finding non-natural food sources like garbage and bird and pet food in places where people live.”

Another interesting fact found on the Bear Wise website is that for black bears to survive and raise their young they have to double their weight before going into hibernation. So it’s no wonder they are attracted to the pile of bacon grease left by the camp stove.

Good campsite hygiene and some common sense actions will help you to avoid any bear encounters. Here are some top tips for camping in black bear country:

  • If you are going to Ontario Parks or another campground, follow the advice provided by staff
  • No matter where you camp, always pack out all garbage from the backcountry and use bear-resistant containers where available
  • Be aware that all food odours and residues can attract bears, so do everything you can to eliminate or reduce odours from yourself, your camp, your clothes and your vehicle
  • Never feed or approach a bear
  • Clean fish away from your campsite
  • After a meal, store leftover food away from your campsite in sealed plastic bags and, if possible, in bear resistant containers
  • Keep your site clean. Burn food scraps and fat drippings thoroughly in a fire.
  • Drain dish water away from your camp site
  • Never cook, eat or store any food (including snacks), cooking equipment or toiletries in your tent
  • If you are sleeping in a tent try to not sleep in clothes you have worn while cooking meals
  • Store food so that bears cannot reach it – in the trunk of your car or hanging at least 4 metres (13 feet) above the ground and 3 metres from tree limbs or trunks that can support a bear. Fishing tackle, clothes worn when cooking, garbage, toiletries and all snacks should also be hung. If you cannot hang your pack, put it in a canoe or boat that is anchored offshore
  • Look for signs of bear activity nearby. Consider moving elsewhere if it appears as though a black bear has been active in the area


Check out the Bear Wise website for more tips, information on black bear ecology and what to do if you encounter a bear. See MNR staff tagging black bears when Rick Mercer visited us at Algonquin Park this year.

Featured Park ? Voyageur

Ontario Parks Insider

There is more than the sense of history that draws campers to Voyageur Provincial Park. It is true that campers can relate to the roaming character of the fur traders, who once travelled through here, by touring the countless historical sites. But it’s also the perfect positioning of the campground that attracts RVers. Voyageur Provincial Park, situated half way between Ottawa and Montreal, provides campers the luxury of big-city attractions together with beautiful sand beaches and appealing natural surroundings.

At first glance it’s the broad expanse of the Ottawa River where the park is situated that seems to be the most dramatic natural feature. But regular park users are quick to point out that it’s actually the landscape surrounding the campground that’s the main attraction. It’s one of the most fertile flatlands that make up the St. Lawrence Lowlands, with an even mixture of wetlands and hardwood forests. This mixture provides and abundance of wildlife viewing opportunities.

Local attractions are also a main focus for campers at Voyageur Provincial Park. Macdonell-Williamson House, a restored home of a past fur-trader, is only a five-minute walk from the campground. The town of Maxville (a 45 minute drive away) hosts the popular Highland Games – this year on July 31 and August 1. Vankleek Hill, just 20 minutes away is known as the Gingerbread Capital of Ontario with Victorian style houses, quaint shops and craft stores. St Albert Cheese factory in the town of St Albert (45 minutes away) is renowned for its cheddar cheese and fresh curds made daily.

Best overall, however, is a delightful ferry ride across the Ottawa River that takes campers to the Quebec village of Montebello. Here they can wander the grounds that include the historic Manoir Papineau (an elaborate homestead for the leader of Quebec politics in the early 1800s, Louis-Joseph Papineau) and dine in fashion at charming Chateau Montebello.

Getting There
Voyageur is located in the eastern most section of Ontario on the border with Quebec. The park is about an hour from Montreal and perhaps a few minutes more from Ottawa off of highway 417 near the town of Hawkesbury, Ontario.

Inside OP ? Park Once

Ontario Parks Insider

Eco-friendly products and ‘green’ messages are everywhere these days. Many companies work hard to position themselves as being environmentally friendly. As a vacation destination Ontario Parks does not have to try hard to be one of the greenest options out there. We don’t have to, but we choose to!

Much of our environmentally friendliness depends on the choices you make when camping ... will you bring disposable plates or re-useable ones? Use a refillable camp stove or bring propane canisters? Through education and working together we can all make the right choices that will help reduce our footprint on the environment.

So, are you up for a challenge? Ontario Parks is inviting you to take another green step and park your vehicle “once” during your next camping trip. By doing so, you will be part of the Park Once Challenge.

Of course you can still use your vehicle to travel outside of the park, but you are encouraged to walk or bike within the park to special events, the park store, the beach, or trailheads. When you choose to walk or bike instead of drive, you will join the green scene and help reduce harmful emissions and lessen noise pollution.

In partnership with Wayfarer Insurance, (a RV Insurance Specialist); Pinery, Long Point, Darlington, Sandbanks and Presqu’ile have initiated a “park once” challenge with a draw for prizes for people who participate. When you first enter the park, let us know if you would like to participate in the Park Once program. You’ll be given a ribbon to tie to your vehicle. By successfully completing the Park Once Challenge at participating parks, you will then get a ballot to fill out (one ballot per family) to be entered into a draw to win a mountain bike. The draw will be held after the Canadian Thanksgiving weekend. MacGregor Point and Killarney also run their own “park once” challenges with prize draws for participants.

Park once when you arrive, and walk or bike the rest of the time to help keep Ontario Parks green!

Water Safety Starts with You - Watch Children Around Water at all Times

Ontario Parks Insider

It takes only minutes for a child to disappear from sight and one inch of water for a child to drown. The Canadian Red Cross encourages Canadians to stay safe when enjoying water activities, and reminds parents and caregivers about the importance of supervising children closely around water.

“Whether it’s a pool, the bathtub, or the beach, always watch children around water,” stresses Shelley Dalke, national coordinator of swimming and water safety for the Canadian Red Cross. “Learning to swim is important, but learning water safety is key to knowing what to do to prevent an emergency in or on the water. It’s not just swimming but swimming and safety together that saves lives. Parents and caregivers must remain vigilant at all times when children have access to bodies of water.”

A Red Cross research report that examined 10 years of drowning statistics showed that young children ages 1 to 4 and men ages 15 to 44 are at the greatest risk of drowning. Backyard pools are especially dangerous for small children, who are also the most vulnerable group for near drownings. Near drownings can be equally devastating as they often result in varying degrees of brain damage.
5 Easy Steps:

  1. Watch Children Around Water at all Times. Stay within sight and reach.
  2. The best lifejacket or PFD is the one you wear. Zip Up and Buckle Up
  3. Before entering the water- stop, look, go slow! Check for depth and watch for hazards
  4. Alcohol and boating don’t mix, boating while impaired is illegal
  5. Secure your pool - no matter what size. Fence It, Cover It, Empty It

Get Trained; Learn to swim and take a first aid and CPR course.
Know how to call 9-1-1 or your local emergency number.

For more information and activities on water safety education, visit our Water Safety Public Education page