~wildlife education~ A bear’s winter den. Photo credit: istock.com/ Gennaro Leonardi How do wild animals survive in winter when the weather turns cold and natural food sources are scarce? Many animals hibernate or go into “winter sleep”. During hibernation, an animal’s heart rate and body temperature and movements slow down. Unlike many small mammals, bears do not actually hibernate; instead, they go into torpor, which is a state of decreased physiological activity, usua

~wildlife education~ Responsible hunters understand their role in wildlife conservation and follow established laws and ethical practices. They know they must hold a valid BC Hunting License and, for certain species and areas, are required to obtain additional authorization as well. Photo credit: istock.com/Mark Dufresne Correct species identification and safety are essential to ethical hunting. Ethical hunters educate themselves on the specific open seasons, bag limits, and

~Wildlife education~ Vancouver Island black bears eat both meat and plants, and their sense of smell and hearing is far superior to that of humans. If a hungry bear smells food waste in a barbecue or trash container or a vehicle, it will go after it. Photo credit: istock.com/eyfoto Bears are natural scavengers and have good memories, so they will return to locations where they have found food before. Bears must eat large amounts of food, so they don’t starve during the win