Laura Kendall — Division 3

It’s Official! Joan Paterson is the Bear Woman of Millarville

With the recent trapping of 4 more bears on her property, I thought it was high time that Joan received some kind of recognition for her status! She did have some help from Alberta Fish and Wildlife in her efforts to deal with a plethora of bears at her property. In total 13 bears have been spotted and 5 live trapped at her place in the past 20 years.

This last episode with the bears started with a break-in at her back shed, which is right next to her house I might add. There was nothing of sustenance in her shed unless you count some insulation. Maybe the bear was looking for a cave for the winter for her and her family.

Joan alerted the Fish and Wildlife of the bear trying to take up residence without a lease so a live trap was set up within 50 feet of her back door.

So there sat the trap for the better part of a week, with Joan ever watchful day and night wondering when her visitors would return. Always hoping she would not be caught between her parking spot and her door should they surprise her. She always used her truck alarm to alert them just in case when she arrived home.

Joan rarely drives around in the dark but a church meeting had kept her out a bit later than usual. She made her trip to the back door with her arms full and King Louie in tow. Upon entering the house she realized she had forgotten Louie’s chicken strips in the truck so back she ventured the 50 feet to her truck and back. She got the door safely shut behind her and within a minute off went the loud bang of the trap.

The Fish and Game alarm went off before Joan alerted them so they expected her call. An officer arrived to see eyes in the darkness so had to wait for his partner before checking the trap. To their surprise they had 3 bears in the trap! Which neither of them had ever seen before. With the third cub on the loose they had to wait till morning and come with an extra trap. Thankfully they got all four relocated.

Joan has taken down her bear statue greeting visitors thinking it might be sending the wrong message. Luckily her electrician finally had time to come install her outdoor lights within a week so we can be thankful for that!

With all her experience with bears Joan is very careful not to leave garbage of any kind outside. She has no fruit trees or bushes either. She advises to stop, look, listen and smell before venturing out in her neck of the woods. The Bear Woman of Millarville believes she is very lucky to live in friendly bear country.

Laura Kendall – Division 3 Foothills County
laura.kendall@foothillscountyab.ca

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