ASSESSING THE RISKOF BEAR-HUMANINTERACTION AT RIVERCAMPSITES A. GRANTMacHUTCHON, 237 CurtisRoad, Comox,BC V9M3W1, Canada, email:
[email protected] DEBBIEW. WELLWOOD, P.O. Box 3217, Smithers,BC VOJ2N0, Canada,email:
[email protected] Abstract: The Alsek and Tatshenshinirivers of Yukon, British Columbia, and Alaska, and the Babine River, British Columbia, are seasonally importantfor grizzly bears(Ursus arctos) and Americanblack bears(Ursus americanus). Recreationaltravelers on these rivers use riparianhabitats for camping, which could lead to bear-humaninteraction and conflict. During visits in late summer 1998-99, we used 4 qualitativeindicators to assess risk of bear-humaninteraction at river campsites: (1) seasonal habitatpotential, (2) travel concerns, (3) sensory concerns, and (4) bear sign. We then rated each campsite on a 5-class scale, relative to other campsites, for the potential to displace bears and the potential for bear-human encounters. We used these ratingsto recommendhuman use of campsites with relatively low risk. Ursus 13:293-298 (2002) Key words: Alaska,American black bear, bear-human conflict, British Columbia, grizzly bear, habitat assessment, river recreation, Ursus americanus, Ursus arctos, Yukon Riparianhabitats in manyriver valleys in westernNorth 1997). The Tatshenshiniand Alsek river valleys com- America are seasonally important for grizzly bears prise a large proportionof available bear habitatwithin (Hamilton and Archibald 1986, Reinhart and Mattson the parksthrough which they flow, and the importanceof 1990, MacHutchon et al. 1993, Schoen et al. 1994, riparianhabitats to bearsis high (Simpson 1992, Herrero McCann 1998, Titusand Beier 1999) andAmerican black et al. 1993, McCann 1998). The main period of human bears (Reinhartand Mattson 1990, MacHutchonet al. use coincides with seasonalmovement of grizzly bearsto 1998, Chi and Gilbert 1999).