Joe McWilliams
Lakeside Leader

Prompted by the early arrival of bears in town along the creek, the Town of Slave Lake last week announced it was closing a portion of the Allarie Trails. It was a joint decision by the town and Fish & Wildlife.

The trail system along Sawridge Creek has been nicknamed ‘the bear trails’ for many years, and for good reason. Every year in late summer bears wander into town along the creek corridor, taking advantage of the abundant berries. Occasionally they will also end up snooping around back yards, attracted by food smells. And pretty much every year Fish & Wildlife will install a bear trap or two and close off a portion of the trails.

What’s different this year is how early it is happening. Bears (or a bear) were being spotted in town in the first week of August, long before the chokecherries ripened.

It’s likely the barricades will remain up for quite some time. Last year it was about a month before they came down. This year, it could be longer, given the early start.

“I think it’s the right move,” says mayor Tyler Warman. “Be aware and be cautious.”

That’s always good advice. Another kind of suggestion comes from the senior wildlife biologist for the region, Jim Castle. Bear meat is a good and overlooked source of protein, he says, and the area provides “excellent hunting opportunities, (though not in town, obviously).”

Bear baiting is legal in some wildlife management units, Castle continues. On the other hand a ‘stealth hunter’ can have success, and fill the freezer this fall. And not just the fall.

“There is no other big game animal in Alberta you can hunt through both spring and fall seasons,” Castle says.