Choose from a half-day jaunt in and around the lakes and hills of Quadra Island, just a 7 minute ferry ride from Campbell River, or make an effort on a multi-day strenuous vertical climb that Strathcona Provincial Park is famous for, it all exists within minutes of the city limits of Campbell River.

Vancouver Island’s unique geography features three main mountain ranges that thrust dramatically directly from the shorelines up to seven thousand feet. At the foundations of these stunningly beautiful mountains, copious quantities of precipitation create the lush forests and dense undergrowth of ancient temperate rain forests, with some of the largest Cyprus trees in the world blanketing the interior basins around central Vancouver Island.

At the alpine level, the dwarfed and twisted alpine cypress are scattered throughout the high ridges, mingled with alpine tarn's, flowers, a wide variety of heather and meadows.

Tips for Hiking in Wilderness Areas

Campbell River is a Mecca for outdoor enthusiasts, with a wide array of outdoor recreational pursuits on land, lakes, rivers, mountains and the ocean; it is always a good idea to plan ahead when you go hiking in the wilderness. Here is a partial list of things that you may want to consider when planning your day in the wilderness.

Always tell someone where you are going and when you are expecting to return.

Always carry more food and water than you expect to use.

Wear good hiking shoes, preferably water proofed.

Carry out everything you carry in, including all garbage.

Do not remove anything from our Provincial Parks.

Always obtain permission to enter private property.

Never hike alone in unfamiliar places.

Carry a good first aid kit and matches in a waterproof container.

Never approach any wild animals.

Check advisories at the Visitor Information Center of sightings of wild and dangerous animals before embarking on any trip.

Carry a map and compass or a GPS and be familiar with how to use them.

Always carry a hat and extra clothing.

Cold and/or wet weather can kill in our climate; always have on hand rain ponchos or thermal blankets in case of emergency.

Wildlife Caution

All wild animals are potentially dangerous and unpredictable and may be encountered at any time. Be careful when near wildlife, bears are particularly unpredictable. They are extremely powerful animals that can cause serious injury or death. While the risk of attack is low, you can heighten your safety by following some simple advice:

Animals that lose their fear of man and become used to eating human food or garbage are potentially dangerous. Female bears with cubs are especially dangerous. Never approach or feed bears or other animals.

Securely store food by hanging it from a tree at least 4 meters above the ground and 2 meters from the trunk. Always use storage facilities where provided.

Do not cook or store food in your tent and keep your campsite clean of all garbage.

Don’t burn or bury non-combustible refuse since this attracts animals. Pack it out where facilities are not available.

Be alert for bear scats, tracks or trails and do not hike or camp where these are common. Make lots of noise when hiking where bear signs are found.

Stay calm if approached by a bear and do not provoke an attack by making loud sharp noises, throwing things or running. Move slowly away if possible.

If attacked by a black bear try to escape to a safe place. If you have no other options try to intimidate the bear with deterrents or weapons such as tree branches or rocks.

Safety Guide to Island Cougars

Vancouver Island has the largest population of Cougars in the province and perhaps in the world. We are fortunate to share our island with this; one of the most mysterious and elusive of all creatures. The cougars secretive habits, with its astounding predatory abilities is capable of killing a 400 kilogram lb elk, and have resulted in a wealth of misconceptions and irrational fears in relation to the largest of Canada’s wild cats.

Cougars are a vital part of our diverse wildlife landscape. Sighting a cougar should be an exciting and rewarding experience, with both you and the cougar coming away unharmed. However; if you do experience a confrontation with a cougar or feel threatened by one; immediately inform the nearest Conservation Officer.

Actually, most British Columbian's live all their lives without a glimpse of a cougar, much less a confrontation with one. Conflicts between cougars and humans are extremely rare. In the past 100 years, a total of five people have been killed by cougar attacks in BC, (in comparison, bees kill upwards of three Canadians every year). All but one of these fatal cougar attacks occurred on Vancouver Island. During the same period, there were 29 non-fatal attacks in BC, 20 of which occurred on Vancouver Island. The vast majority of these attacks were on children under the age of 16.

Although a cougar attack is highly unlikely, it always pays to be prepared. Information and awareness are your best defense.

About Cougars

The cougar, also called a mountain lion, panther or puma, is Canada’s largest cat. Cougars have long tails which may be one-third of their total body length

An adult male cougar weights between 63 and 90 kilograms (140 to 200 lbs) and a female cougar, between 40 and 50 kilograms (90 to 120 lbs).

The cougar’s primary prey is deer and elk, it will also feed on rabbits, beaver, raccoon, grouse and occasionally livestock.

Cougars are most active at dusk and dawn, however they will roam and hunt at any time of the day or night in all seasons.

During late spring and summer, one to two year old cougars become independent of their mother. While attempting to find a home range, these young cougars may roam widely in search of unoccupied territory; this is when cougars are most likely to conflict with humans.

Cougar Tracks

Cougars have four toes with three distinct lobes present at the base of the pad. Claws are retractable, so they usually do not leave imprints. Generally, cougars are solitary. If tracks show two or more cougars traveling together, it probably indicates a female with kittens. When the cat is walking slowly, the hind feet partially overlap prints of the forefeet. The foot prints are approximately 50 centimeters apart. When walking briskly, the hind feet over-reach the front ones, and the left hind foot print and left front footprint are approximately 66 centimeters apart.

When Living in Cougar Country

Most conflicts with cougars occur in rural communities, wilderness areas and isolated settlements. Cougars are predators, the top of the food chain and their actions are often unpredictable. We have little understanding about what might trigger an attack, but following these general guidelines will reduce the risk of cougar conflict and prepare you in the unlikely event of an attack.

Children:

Cougars seem to be attracted to children, possibly because their high pitched voices, small size, and erratic movements make it difficult for cougars to identify them as human and not prey.
Talk to children and teach them what to do if they encounter a cougar.
Encourage children to play outdoors in groups and supervise children playing outdoors.
Dogs make good early warning systems but can be an attraction for a hungry cat.
Make sure children are close or indoors before dusk and at dawn.
If there have been cougar sightings, escort children wherever necessary, clear shrubs away from active play areas and install lighting whenever possible.

Your yard and home:

Do not attract or feed wildlife, especially deer or raccoons. These are natural prey and may attract cougars.

Pets:

Roaming pets are easy prey.
Bring pet in at night. If they must be left out, confine them in a protected kennel with a secure top.
Do not feed pets outside. This not only attracts young cougars but also many attract the small animals, such as mice and raccoons, that cougars prey upon.
Place domestic livestock in an enclosed shed or barn at night.

Hiking or working in Cougar Country

Hike in groups of two or more. Make enough noise to prevent surprising a cougar.
Carry a sturdy walking stick to be used as a weapon if necessary.
Keep children close at hand and under control.
Watch for cougar tracks and signs. Cougars cover unconsumed portions of their kills with soil and leaf litter. Avoid these food caches.
Cougar kittens are usually well-hidden. However if you do stumble upon cougar kittens, do not approach or attempt to pick them up. Leave the area immediately, as a female will defend her young.

If you meet a Cougar

Never approach a cougar. Although cougars will normally avoid a confrontation, all cougars are unpredictable. Cougars feeding on a kill may be dangerous.
Always give a cougar an avenue of escape.
Stay calm, talk to the cougar in a confident voice.
Pick all children up off the ground immediately, children frighten easily and their rapid movements may provoke an attack.
Do not run. Try to back away from the cougar slowly, sudden movement or flight may trigger an instinctive attack.
Do not turn your back on the cougar. Face the cat and remain upright.
Do all you can to enlarge your image, don’t crouch down or try to hide, pick-up sticks or branches and wave them about.

If a Cougar Behaves Aggressively

Arm yourself with a large stick, throw rocks, and speak loudly and firmly. Convince the cougar that you are a threat, not prey.
If a cougar attacks, fight back! Many people have survived cougar attacks by fighting back with anything including rocks, sticks, bare fists and fishing poles.

Bear Aware

The Truth about Bears

As the human population increases and people encroach on wilderness areas, conflicts between bears and people become increasingly more common. These encounters can be dangerous – all too often they are fatal for the bear.

Bears are not the problem, we are the problem. The primary motivation behind bears and human conflict is improper care of garbage and other attractants. It is our responsibility to eliminate the source of the problem – our behaviour. People and bears are sharing habitat all over British Columbia and the bears are not capable of change, but we are. Make it your responsibility to create safer communities and wilderness recreation areas to prevent the unnecessary killing of bears.

Did you Know?

Bears have an extraordinary sense of smell; they can smell garbage and other potential sources of food over vast distances. When bears learn that garbage means easy food, they come back to it over and over again. Our odor remains on our garbage long after it is discarded so bears learn to associate people with food. This is where the menace lies. The bears that are familiar with garbage may become aggressive, expecting food every time they see or smell people.

Bears natural diet consists mostly of berries, green vegetation, roots, insects, grubs and carrion. Garbage, on the other hand, can cause injuries such as cuts and ingestion of harmful substances, glass or chemicals as well permanently changing their natural behaviour around people.

When bears become conditioned to garbage and other non-natural foods, often the only practical solution is to kill them. Relocation is usually ineffective, dangerous and costly.

Make Noise

Use a noise maker such as bells; hang them on your bike or the back of your pack. It is necessary to make noise, especially because hiking or biking can be a silent activity in addition to the fact that bikes move very fast. Bells are a start, but using your voice is an even better noise maker.

Watch for bear sign. If you suspect a bear may be in the area (based on food or plants or signs), leave the area if possible, or at the very least, make an excessive amount of noise.

Avoid trails that are near food sources. West coast bears feed in salmon bearing streams from mid-summer to late fall and are most likely to be found fishing at the mouth of the rivers and streams.

Hike or ride in groups. This will increase your noise level and also ensure that there will be someone to assist you if necessary.

Always keep small children close. Most animal attacks are on small children. Keep them well attended and away from possible bear food sources.

Carry bear spray in an easy accessible spot. It will do you no good if it is in the bottom of your pack or in a bag attached to the side of your bike.

If you See a Bear

Most bears are not a danger, however if you see a bear, proceed out of the area, particularly if the bear has cubs. A mother bear is at her most dangerous when she has cubs to protect. The cubs may be cute, but the mother is not.

When you see cubs up a tree leave the area, this generally means that mom is not far away and she has already put her little ones in a protective position. The sow may attack quickly and without provocation if you are perceived as a threat to her cubs. At times, she may follow them up the tree but chances are she will not stay up the tree herself. If she feels the threat to her young she will come down and charge.

On rare occasions bears may have second year cubs and they may as a group participates in a bluff charge. This can be a dangerous circumstance as you are now dealing with multiple bears. While this situation is rare, it would follow an occasion where the family is protecting a kill site.

What to do When you Meet a Bear?

Whenever traveling in bear country, you have to accept the possibility that you may encounter a bear. The tips on these pages will help diminish the odds of meeting an aggressive bear, but at the same time, you need to be prepared for what to do when the unforeseen occurs.

The bear has not seen you; do not announce your presence. If possible, retreat slowly and give the bear ample of space. If you have the opportunity, retreat and leave the trail to the bear. If you must carry on, back off a short distance, and wait until the bear has left the area. It is smart also to do a wide detour quietly and quickly downwind to avoid problems.

The bear has detected you but is a distance away, first give the bear a chance to identify you as human but also let it know that you are no threat. Speak calmly so that it knows you are a human as chances are they cannot see you clearly (their eyesight is quite poor). They will often give ground to you immediately once they identify you as human. Back away slowly if you can, keeping a close eye on the bear, in any case, you may wish to detour around the bear, if so, detour upwind so that the bear can get your scent, keep talking calmly, waving your arms may help to identify you as a human.

The bear is displaying signs of aggression. The best case scenario for this circumstance is that you have a bit of distance between you and the bear.

Assess the situation. Are you dealing with a black bear or a grizzly (grizzlies are not indigenous to Vancouver Island, but have been known to swim from the mainland).

Do not run. Despite rumors to the contrary, black and grizzly bears can outrun a human on any terrain, uphill or downhill. The urban myth says that grizzlies are slower running downhill, which is true however they can still run much faster than you can. It is simply a myth, that they are slower– don’t try it!

Retreat slowly and carefully. Back up slowly aiming to put as much distance between you and the bear as possible. Stay cool, talk calmly, and back up gradually. Keep your backpack on to provide added protection. Keep your eyes on the bear as you back away, but do not make direct eye contact.

Climb a tree if accessible. If you have time, and the bear persists on moving closer, take advantage of a tall tree to climb. Remember that black bears are strong climbers as well. Grizzlies have also been known to climb short distances up trees after people, however with their bulk they are likely not to try. You want to get at least 10 meters high to reduce the prospect of being dragged out of the tree. Even though some bears can climb up the tree after you, the expectation is that they will feel less threatened and thus unlikely to follow you up the tree.

If the bear charges you. Bears will often bluff charge before attacking. This action is intended to allow enemies to back down before the bear needs to commence an actually attack. This behavior evolved as a way to prevent encounters with enemies and fortunately for you it may provide you with an opportunity to back away.

Use your pepper spray, only as a last resort, because its effectiveness is only guaranteed at close range (5 meters). Any wind will reduce the effective range even farther and you run the chance of having the pepper spray back into your face. If the bear is within this range, point the spray at his eyes and discharge the contents. Hopefully, this will disorient the bear, providing you with the opportunity to escape or at the very least frightening the bear enough to prevent it from attacking. Once you have discharged a canister of bear spray is should be discarded, as soon as possible because the smell of pepper can act as an attractor. Don’t throw it in the bush.

If a bear is tracking you and makes contact. If the attack intensifies and a bear that is stalking you makes physical contact with you, fight back with anything available. Black bears are more timid than grizzlies and fighting back may cause the bear to run. If a bear is tracking you or if the attack is at night then you are in a predatory situation and fighting back is you’re only alternative.

If a grizzly makes contact. If you think the bear is stalking you, fight back with everything you have. In general though, playing dead in a daytime grizzly encounter has been proven to reduce the injuries sustained by most attack victims. Most grizzly attacks are defensive attacks, and playing dead may demonstrate to the bear that you are not a danger to them. Keep your backpack on as it will provide added protection, and it is best to lie on your side in a fetal position.

Bring your legs up to your chest and tuck your head into your legs. Wrap your arms around your legs and hold on as tight as you can. Alternatively you can lie on your stomach, keeping your backpack on, and placing your hands behind your neck for protection. Only wait until the last moment to play dead, staying on your feet allows you the possibility of avoiding, or diverting the attack.

After an attack, be patient, wait a few minutes, and try to determine if the bear is still in the area. When the bear has moved on, make your way out of the area and get assistance as quickly as possible.

Ticks

During spring, when the warm weather begins so does the tick season; in our region you will find them in the low lying bushes that skirt the sides of some trails. Besides being a pest, these bloodsuckers can transmit serious and sometimes fatal diseases such as Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever. Taking a few precautions before heading into heavily wooded area is always a good idea.

Ticks can be found in most wooded or forested regions throughout the world and are common in areas where there are deer trails or human tracks. Ticks are especially abundant near water, where warm-blooded animals come to drink, and in meadows wherever shrubs and brush provide woody surfaces and cover.

It is my experience that they do not seem to be a problem in heavily treed evergreen forests, maybe this is because it tends to be cooler below the trees but are more abundant in bushy areas that at least have some sunlight.

Ticks are usually round and are black or brown when filling with blood, but some are gray. It is a good practice when you have located what you think is a tick to take a good look with a magnifying glass.

Tips for Travel ling in Tick Country

Carry a good pair of tweezers and a magnifying glass in your first aid kit.

Wear a hat, long pants and a long-sleeved shirt, tucked into your pants

Spray exposed body areas with tick repellent (DEET) Avoid using DEET repeatedly on children.

Stay on groomed trails, and avoid walking through the bush.

Search your entire body for ticks after a walk in the woods. Pay attention to the areas behind your neck, knees and groin.

Remove any ticks you might find immediately. If you act quickly you may be able to avoid contacting a disease.

If you are concerned about extracting the tick, go directly to your doctor or to the emergency room, the professionals are well versed on extraction. It is important to get the entire tick out and not just break it off. If you have been exposed to a tick and you develop a rash where you removed it, see your doctor.

Ticks are parasites that feed on warm blooded creatures. When removing, be careful, if the tick is not removed properly the chances of spreading a disease is higher.

How to Remove Ticks

Use a tick removal instrument such as fine tipped tweezers. Tweezers work well because they allow you to remove the tick without squeezing its body. If you put pressure on the body, bacteria that may be harmful can leave the tick and enter the bloodstream of the host.

Take hold of the tick by the head or mouth parts with the tweezers. Grab were the head and mouth enters the skin. Avoid picking it up by its body if possible. Pull the tick out in a firm and steady manner. As you pull, do not jerk or twist.

Save the tick once you have removed it so it can be analyzed for disease or be properly disposed of. To dispose of the tick, put it in a jar of alcohol. Do not flush it down the drain as ticks are not harmed by moisture and it may still be alive. To save it, put the tick in a sealable container or plastic bag along with a moist cotton ball to keep it from drying out.

Clean the wound using alcohol or antiseptic, and then cover the bite with a bandage.

How to Remove Ticks from your Dog

Begin checking your dog around the muzzle and ears. With gloved fingers lightly touch the dog’s skin beneath the fur and be conscious of any conspicuous bumps. Most ticks are very small, so take your time; your dog will love it anyway. Check behind the ears, near the nape of the neck and under the chin specifically.

Work your way down the body, checking the dog’s forelegs and have him lay on his side to check on the stomach and back. Ticks prefer warm areas so don’t forget the dog’s armpits and the buttocks.

You are feeling for any little bumps or lumps, if you feel something part the hair. Use a magnifying glass if you aren’t sure, ticks attach themselves at the head to the skin of your dog, when feeding, the tick’s abdomen becomes bloated, be careful not to squeeze too hard and break the tick open. Gently pull it out with tweezers.

Have your dog sit or lay down, on his side - if the tick is found on his stomach or underside.

Part the hair away from the area where the tick is found, if your dog has long or unruly fur, you may find it helpful to trim the fur within a half inch of the area.

Pour rubbing alcohol over the area, if the tick is not already imbedded in the skin fill the lid of the container with alcohol and hold it against the area for a minute to kill the tick. If it is in his ear, use a large eye dropper or syringe to inject the liquid into the ear.

Use tweezers to remove the dead tick. Do not attempt to remove it before killing it as it may cause it to attach or dig deeper or bite your dog and release disease-carrying poisons. When extracted thoroughly confirm that the head or a leg or two were not left behind. They can cause an infection if not removed.

Clean thoroughly, and treat with a topical antibiotic if needed. Check the spot daily for at least a week. Look for signs of swelling, discoloration, or infection. Be aware of any behavior changes, in your animal, signs of disorientation, or loss of appetite. Contact your vet if your dog shows any of these signs. Your vet may want to run a blood test to rule out tick born diseases.

Wasps and Bees

Stings from wasps or bees can be quite painful and therefore are an object of dread for many people. Multiply stings can be lethal.

The most aggressive stinging insects are vespid wasps and yellow jackets, which aggressively defend their nests. Unfortunately for us, when hiking or biking we may not be aware of a nearby nest and disturbing these nests can make for a very uncomfortable if not dangerous situation. Many people have developed allergic reactions to both bee stings and wasp stings that may trigger an anaphylactic shock that is potentially deadly.

Honey bees rarely sting, except when stepped on or roughly handled. Only when they perceive that they have to be threatened will they actively seek out and sting, but if this happens look out because there may be more than one of them.

It is a misconception that a worker honey bee can only sting once, although the stinger is in fact barbed so that it lodges in the victim’s skin, tearing the stinger loose from the bee’s abdomen, this only happens if the skin of the victim is sufficiently thick such as a mammal.

When they Attack

Every once and in a while someone disturbs a wasp or bees nest that is close to a trail and it only takes one person to disturb the nest for it to become a danger for every subsequent person who passes. When approaching a nest that is marked as already having been disturbed, be calm and quiet, try not to upset the insects any further, avoid the nest altogether if you can or move away as quickly as possible, run if you can, but do not panic.

If the bees or wasps pursue you, ran as fast as you can. They will only go so far away from the nest, especially if it has been disturbed. If you are near water, jump into it and if you can; submerse yourself.

When a swarm of bees or wasps attack, they can get caught in the folds of your clothing, down through your neck and in the case of wasps they can continue to sting. First get away from the nest then remove the clothing as quickly as possible.

Treatment for a Sting

The first step in the treatment following a bee or wasp sting is to insure the removal of the stinger itself. This should be done as quickly as possible as the poison continues to flow, the method of extraction does not matter.

Once the stinger is removed, pain and swelling should be reduced with a cold compress. If you are near a lake or stream submerse the stung area in the water for a length of time. The sting may be painful for a few hours. Swelling and itching may persist for up to a week. The areas should not be scratched as it will only increase the itching and swelling. If the reaction persists for over a week or covers an area greater than 7 to 10 centimeters, medical attention should be sought. At this point Doctors often recommend a tetanus shot.

For people who experience severe or life threatening reactions to insect stings, it is imperative that they do not venture into the wilderness without an EpiPen to treat anaphylactic shock. I always carry a strong antihistamine in my first aid kit as I once had a friend of mine who was stung 8 times when she disturbed a nest of wasps. The episode ended our weekend and caused her a great deal of pain for a long time.

X Marks the Spot

If you do come upon a disturbed nest on a trail, please; for the sake of everyone following behind you; warn other hikers by posting a note or marking the spot any way you can, preferably 3 or more meters before the hikers come upon the hive.

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