A firsthand account of black bear watching in Quebec, set in the protected Duchesnay Forest outside Quebec City. Exploring bear behaviour, conservation research, and what it is like to observe wild bears safely from a viewing tower.
Bear safety in the Duchesnay Forest
Carol walks out to the beaver dam, talking to himself very loudly. This isn’t a sign of creeping madness. It’s a safety precaution. There are bears in these woods, and they don’t like being surprised.
They’re far more afraid of us than we are of them. If they hear us or smell us, they tend to keep well away. The danger really comes when they’re not expecting us and we accidentally creep up on them.
Black bears in North America
There are approximately 800,000 black bears in North America, living in forests stretching from northern Canada to Mexico. As human habitats have expanded, bear habitats have shrunk. It’s no surprise, therefore, that there are clashes between man and bear. We’re a far bigger pest to them than they are to us.
On the whole, though, they’d prefer to live somewhere quiet and undisturbed. Which is why the Duchesnay Forest, just outside Quebec City, is perfect.
The Duchesnay Forest research reserve
It covers 89 square kilometres of forest, largely used for research into tree growth patterns and sustainable forestry. As there’s no hunting or fishing allowed, not many people come here.
But Carol from Aventure Inukshuk has been coming here for 16 years, learning the behaviour patterns of individual bears and watching cubs grow into adults.
Observing bears from the viewing tower
He comes at the same hour every day, putting food down in a slightly different spot each time. It’s not enough to encourage dependency, but it’s enough for a light snack. Different bears come to check it out every afternoon.
As we watch from the wooden viewing tower, a head appears in the forest. “That’s Pistache,” says Carol. “I can recognise her from the nose.”
Meet Pistache the black bear
She pads silently around the edge of the dam, then sniffs around to see if anything else is there. Her only competition is a rather foolhardy red squirrel.
The squirrel wisely scarpers as she approaches the log where the food has been laid. “The bear is not territorial,” says Carol. “It will sometimes confront a rival at a place of food, but she doesn’t regard this as her spot.”
Black bear feeding habits
The amount of food bears eat varies dramatically throughout the year. Following hibernation, they need to rebuild their stomachs slowly, eating for only around two hours a day.
This increases to around 12 hours a day in July, and by autumn they are eating almost constantly as they build reserves for the winter sleep.
Breeding and cub behaviour
There’s something missing though. Why doesn’t Pistache have a cub.
“It’s the breeding season now, and the cubs are born in January or February,” says Carol. “They tend to have a cub every two years, and the cubs stay with the mother for around 16 to 18 months. After that, they’re on their own. An adult male may sometimes kill its own cubs, seeing them as competition.”
A silent departure
She’s surprisingly dainty as she eats, lifting the food to her mouth with a cumbersome paw. But when she decides she’s had enough, she simply wanders off again.
It’s a lumbering walk, but it’s absolutely silent. The only noises are the croaking of frogs, buzzing of mosquitos, and Carol chatting away to himself, making sure he doesn’t spook the creatures he’s spent so much of his life observing.
Nearby attractions
- Quebec City Old Town, with its historic streets and fortified walls
- Montmorency Falls, higher than Niagara and easily accessible from the city
- Jacques-Cartier National Park, known for hiking and river valleys
- Île d’Orléans, famous for food producers and rural scenery
- Valcartier Vacation Village, a large outdoor recreation complex
Black bears in Quebec: Frequently asked questions
Where can you see black bears near Quebec City
Duchesnay Forest is one of the few places near Quebec City where black bears can be observed as part of a controlled research and conservation setting.
Are black bears dangerous to humans
Black bears generally avoid people and are rarely aggressive unless surprised or protecting cubs. Most encounters are non-confrontational.
Why do guides talk loudly when walking in bear territory
Making noise helps ensure bears are aware of human presence, reducing the risk of a surprise encounter.
Do black bears hibernate in winter
Yes. Black bears hibernate during winter months, emerging in spring and gradually increasing their food intake.
Is the Duchesnay Forest open to the public
The forest is primarily used for research, with limited access. Visits are typically structured and supervised.
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