Alberta Parks is putting out a warning to anyone thinking about a spring hike.

Be bear aware.

Bears can start to emerge from their dens starting in mid-March. 

The Bearsmart guide is a great resource for brushing up on your bear safety essentials such as remembering that bears are so focused on eating and protecting their young that they may not be so good at avoiding people. 

Watch for signs of bear activity and if the signs you see look fresh, leave the area, watching for the bear until you’ve reached a safe place.

And it's always a good idea to take, and learn how to properly use, bear spray.