York Factory National Historic Site

York Factory National Historic Site

Avoid bear feeding areas.

A polar bear’s primary food source is seal so these species are often found in the same places.

Stay away from polar bear den sites.

Unlike other bears, there is no time when all polar bears are inactive in dens.

Avoid camping on beaches, islands, along coastlines and on obvious movement corridors.

Camp inland on a butte or bluff with a good view of surrounding terrain.

Avoid areas where bears might hide, such as blind corners, snow banks, pressure ridges and other places with visual impediments.

Set up tents in a line rather than a circle and maintain at least 5 metres between them.

If a bear comes into camp, it will not feel surrounded and will have an avenue of escape without feeling threatened. Keep watch 24 hours per day. Take turns keeping watch during sleeping periods. Do not sleep in the open without a tent. You may look like a seal and polar bears are very curious. People sleeping in the open have been attacked.

Cook at least 50 metres from your sleeping area in a place visible from your tent.

Strain food particles from dishwater and store with garbage. Dump dishwater at least 50 metres from your sleeping area, rivers, streams and lakes. Store food and garbage in bear-proof containers or sealed bags and containers secured under rocks within view of your tent. A permit is required to set up a food cache. Placing pots on top may serve as an alarm. If you have a warning system, store your food within its perimeter. DO NOT store food inside your tent.

Warning systems

Set up a portable trip-wire or motion detector alarm system around your tent to alert you if a polar bear approaches your camp. Before leaving home, contact Parks Canada for more information.

You may wish to take a dog, but only one that has proven experience with polar bears. Several dogs are better than one. Know how to handle them. Keep them staked so they cannot run to you for protection and stake them downwind from your sleeping area. Be sure to clean up any dog food leftovers. Dogs must be under control at all times within national parks to avoid wildlife harassment.

Designate a bear monitor to keep watch if a polar bear might be nearby. Consider moving your camp if there is a bear in the area.


For more information:

Location:Auyuittuq National Park and
Quttinirpaaq National Park

Box 353
Pangnirtung, NU X0A 0R0
Phone number: 867-473-2500
Email address: nunavut.info@pc.gc.ca

Location:Sirmilik National Park
Box 300
Pond Inlet, NU X0A 0S0
Phone number: 867-899-8092
Email address: sirmilik.info@pc.gc.ca

Location:Ukkusiksalik National Park
Box 220
Repulse Bay, NU X0C 0H0
Phone number: 867-462-4500
Email address: ukkusiksalik.info@pc.gc.ca

Location:Torngat Mountains National Park
Box 471
Nain, NL A0P 1L0
Phone number: 1-800-922-1290 or 709-458-2417
Email address:torngats.info@pc.gc.ca

Location:Wapusk National Park
Box 127 Churchill, MB R0B 0E0
Phone number: 204-675-8863
Email address: manitoba@pc.gc.ca

Location:Western Arctic
Ivvavik National Park
Aulavik National Park
Tuktut Nogait National Park
Pingo Canadian Landmark

Box 1840, Inuvik, NT X0E 0T0
Phone number: 867-777-8800
Email address: inuvik.info@pc.gc.ca

Date modified :