Bear Watching Vancouver Island, Wildlife, Black Bears

Black Bear Watching on Vancouver Island

Black bears are the dominant bear species you can find on Vancouver Island. Other than black bears, there have been rumors regarding the existence of grizzly bears on the Island. Vancouver Island is the land of endless wildlife watching opportunities, of which bear watching tours have a lot of fans between both locals and tourists. According to BC Government, there are 12,000 black bears in BC, which means half of Canada’s bear population inhabits BC, of which 7,000 black bears live on Vancouver Island. That is why Vancouver Island is one of the peak locations for bear viewing tours.
Black bears on Vancouver Island are somewhat darker in color and larger in size compared to their mainland counterparts. Mama bear is furiously protective of its cubs, and watching it feeding its offspring is one of the most enjoyable things. Black bear watching on Vancouver Island is one of the favorite recreational activities for mainly two reasons; first, black bears exist in abundance. Accordingly, besides black bear watching, many people are interested in bear hunting on Vancouver Island. Second, the natural one encounters during black bear watching tours.
In the following, we will discuss everything necessary you need to know before planning your bear watching adventure on Vancouver Island. Stay with us!

Black Bears: Characteristics, Habitat, Diet, and Lifespan

The black bear has short, rounded ears and claws on its feet that are an inch long. The black bear, unlike the brown or grizzly bear, does not have a significant shoulder hump. From shoulder to toe, the black bear measures around three feet tall, and from head to toe, it stands 4-6 feet tall. Males are typically significantly larger than females.
Black bears can exist in a range of habitats due to their diverse food. They can be found in coniferous and deciduous forests, as well as open alpine environments. Except along river courses where there is riparian vegetation and trees, they are rarely found on the Great Plains or other wide-open places.
They can survive almost everywhere there is food, although they are most common where there are trees. Black bears in the United States are omnivore, meaning they eat a wide variety of foods, including both plants and meat. Roots, berries, meat, fish, insects, larvae, grass, and other succulent plants are all part of their diet.
In the wild, black bears can live for up to 30 years, although most die in their early twenties. The American black bear is no longer a threatened species, and the population of the formerly listed black bears of Florida and Louisiana is on the rise.

Best Places to Spot Black Bears on Vancouver Island

Black bears are everywhere on Vancouver Island. Thus, you can go on a black bear watching trip wherever you are on the Island. Nevertheless, some cities are ranked as peak locations for black bear viewing on Vancouver Island, such as Ucluelet, Tofino, Telegraph Cove, Campbell River, and Port McNeill.

In General, black bears usually wander in mountains, prairie, a vast portion of parklands, and foothills. You may also view bears in lower elevations near streams and rivers or at open areas around clear cuts in berry patches. They may be found on mountain hills and hardwoods, showing their adaptability to survive in higher elevations. But the best thing possible is selecting the right wildlife watching tour operator for your black bear viewing adventure on Vancouver Island since the guides know best about the best locations that bears can be spotted. Think, plan, and choose to enjoy your trip to Vancouver Island and its untouched nature.

The Best Time to See Black Bears on Vancouver Island

The best time you can go on a black bear watching trip is before and after their hibernation. The hibernation usually starts from November to April. Consequently, the peak seasons for black bears watching on Vancouver Island are spring and fall. Before hibernation, black bears begin to feast on salmon and blackberries to store food for the next few months of sleep. Watching black bears eat is one of the most enjoyable things you can experience during your black bear viewing journey. However, remember that bears would lose weight when they come out of hibernation, and they look very skinny; therefore, try to plan your bear watching journey a week or two after the hibernation was ended. Some male bears may not have a hibernation at all, provided that weather conditions are good and food is enough in their habitat. That is primarily why there is still a chance to experience Vancouver Island bear viewing tours during winter.

Bear Watching Tour Pricing

If the option “bear watching” on your bucket list doesn’t refer to specific subspecies of bears, black bear watching is the most affordable tour for you on Vancouver Island. Due to the black bears vast population on the Island and their availability everywhere, black bear watching tours are cheaper than tours for grizzly bear watching on Vancouver Island.
Also, for more convenience you can use the service we will provide you during your bear watching tour like meals and transportation. Our black bear watching costs starts from $109 per adult and $98 per kid. If you have any questions regarding the cost of black bear watching tours, please feel free to contact our experts.

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Amazing Facts about Black Bears

• Black bears are one of the 6 bear species inhabiting Canada, of which the main concentration is in BC, make it an amazing black bear watching location for enthusiasts.
• Black bear watching can be possible during winter if the weather is good and food is enough.
• Black bears are omnivorous; one day, they feed on salmon and the other day on berries. Before hibernation, the incredible scenery for bear watching is the bears eating before going to sleep for a long time.
• Black bears are everywhere on Vancouver Island; that is why bear viewing events are available throughout the Island.
• Don’t ever, ever approach a cub when its mama is away. The only thing that encourages a bear to attack humans is when they feel their offspring are threatened.

The Best Bear Watching Tour Guide on Vancouver Island

Black bears and nature are inseparable. On the other hand, the nature on Vancouver Island is so vast that even indigenous people aren’t entirely dominant on every part of it. So, if you don’t want to get lost in it, it’s best to ask a wildlife viewing tour operator to introduce you to an experienced guide.
But let’s elaborate on the reasons why it is best to have a guide for your black bear watching trips on Vancouver Island:

1. They have guided too many visitors and have enough knowledge regarding the possible black bear watching locations.
2. They can help you learn how to behave around the black bears and make the most of it while viewing them.
3. If you want to experience black bear viewing on the water and you don’t know how to paddle, well, bear watching tour operators are here to give you what you want.
4. Black bear watching tour guides have guided so many people through this magnificent journey, and they know when is the best time to view some bears amongst the dense trees of the forest.
5. Last but not least, you can benefit from the services they provide for the convenience of your black bear watching journey.

So, what are you waiting for? Pack your bags, hop on and head to Vancouver Island. Bring your nature-expedition bucket list and check them all here. Plan your black bear watching adventure in advance and finish it by choosing the right tour operator. For more information regarding selecting the best black bear watching tour operator on Vancouver Island, please feel free to contact our team.

Go Beyond for Your Black Bear Watching

Port Alberni Wildlife Watching

Parksville Wildlife Watching

Sooke Wildlife Watching

Campbell River Wildlife Watching

Port McNeil Wildlife Watching

Port Hardy Wildlife Watching

Telegraph Cove Wildlife Watching

Port Renfrew Wildlife Watching

Sidney Wildlife Watching

Ucluelet Wildlife Watching

Victoria Wildlife Watching

Tofino Wildlife Watching

Black Bear Watching FAQs

Where are the black bears on Vancouver Island?

lack bears have lived on Vancouver Island for so many years and they are found almost everywhere on Vancouver Island. however, the peak locations are Ucluelet, Tofino, Telegraph Cove, Campbell River, Port McNeill, and many other locations around the Island.

Are there a lot of bears on Vancouver Island?

Based on estimations, there are 12000 black bears in BC, and 7000 of them inhabit Vancouver Island, making it the ideal place for bear watching events.

Do I need bear spray on Vancouver Island?

There hasn’t been a bear attack on Vancouver Island for so many years. However, make your bear watching journey on Vancouver Island safer and keep a bear spray in your bag.

How big are the bears on Vancouver Island?

Male bears weigh like 275 kg and females around 180 kg. But remember, do not go bear watching right after the hibernation is done because bears lose weight during their hibernation.

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