Choosing a safe campsite

In Quttinirpaaq National Park, polar bears can be found in coastal areas. They have also been known to travel in the Lake Hazen and Tanquary areas.

Report polar bear encounters, sightings, tracks and signs to Parks Canada staff as soon as possible. Use a radio or satellite phone if possible.

• Avoid bear feeding areas.

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

  • In fall, winter and early spring most polar bears are on the sea ice hunting seals by the floe edge, open water leads and along pressure ridges. Bears and seals can also be found in places where the ice is thin or cracked, such as tide cracks in land-fast ice or at toes of glaciers. Seals can more easily maintain breathing holes in these areas.
  • In early spring, females with cubs tend to hunt along pressure ridges and cracks in land-fast ice (particularly in bays) where seal birthing dens are found.
  • During the ice-free summer season, when polar bears are forced ashore, they can be found anywhere but they generally hunt and scavenge along coastlines, beaches and rocky islands. Keep an eye on the ocean, polar bears are often well hidden when swimming.
• Stay away from polar bear den sites.

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

  • Maternity dens are excavated by pregnant females in snow drifts on leeward (wind protected) slopes of coastal hills and valleys. In the Baffin Region, dens can be found at high elevations on snowfields and glaciers. Maternity dens are occupied from fall to early spring. The dens are inconspicuous, however, bear tracks leading to and from the site in early autumn or late spring or ventilation holes can indicate their presence.
  • Temporary dens are excavated in snow drifts or pressure ridges by polar bears (males, females and females with cubs) that are active over the winter. The dens can be used as resting places or as temporary shelter from bad weather. They can be used from a few days to several months.
  • Summer retreat dens are excavated during the open water season in the remaining snow banks or into the permafrost. These can also be at higher elevations on snowfields and glaciers or the valleys leading up to them. Male and female bears of all age groups use them to keep cool and avoid insect harassment.
• Avoid camping on beaches, islands, along coastlines and on obvious movement corridors.

  • Before making camp, look around for tracks or other signs of bear activity.
  • Polar bears often travel along coastlines using points of land and rocky islets near the coast to navigate.
  • In the summer, blowing sea ice may transport polar bears into coastal areas. Avoid areas where the pack ice is blowing in to shore.
  • Valleys and passes are often used to cross peninsulas or islands and to move from one area to another.
  • Polar bears travel and hunt along the edges of ice floes.
• 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.