Vancouver bans sale, use of bear bangers, other explosive deterrents

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) — You’ll no longer be able to get your hands on bear bangers and other exploding animal deterrents in Vancouver.

City council banned the sale and use of them within city limits on Thursday.

The decision is meant to protect the safety of Vancouver residents and reduce unwelcomed noise, according to a release from the city.

The city and Vancouver Police Department have received hundreds of complaints of bear bangers being set off since the start of the year.

The new regulations take effect immediately; those found in violation can be fined $1,000.

“Vancouver residents who use bear bangers and other exploding animal deterrents in the wilderness outside of the city may continue to purchase them online or in neighbouring municipalities,” the city says.

City staff will consult further about a possible permitting system for the sale of bear bangers to professionals who use them as part of their jobs.

Coun. Sarah Kirby-Young said she supported the ban.

The report to ban the sale and use of bear bangers in Vancouver is at Council this morning in recognition these are being used unsafely and inappropriately in the city. I support it. We’ll see if Council agrees.

— Sarah Kirby-Yung 楊瑞蘭 Vancouver City Councillor (@sarahkirby_yung) July 23, 2020

In the first six months of the 2020, the city received 180 complaints and the VPD reported more than 360 calls about explosive sounds heard throughout downtown and surrounding areas.

“There is also evidence from the VPD that exploding animal deterrents have been modified for use as improvised explosive devices, posing a threat to public safety,” says the city.

A report from Fire Chief Darrell Reid and Jessie Adcock, general manager of development and licensing, noted that the number of complaints about the devices to the city’s 3-1-1 service has spiked since April, with 167 complaints as of early June.

City staff consulted with retailers, suppliers, industry associations, outdoor recreation clubs, conservation groups and the B.C. SPCA regarding the new regulations.

RELATED: Vancouver considers ban on sale, use of ‘bear bangers’ after spike in complaints

The ban includes exploding animal deterrents such as bear bangers, air bangers and seal bombs.

According to staff, the loud noises from exploding devices can keep animals from approaching. However, they also carry the risk of frightening wildlife toward the user, and are a potential fire hazard in dry conditions.

Under the Federal Explosives Act, using exploding animal deterrents, such as bear bangers, for anything other than personal protection from wildlife is illegal.

Parks Canada has banned the use of bear bangers in federal parks. They also recommend a protocol of alerting wildlife to human presence by travelling in groups and speaking loudly, singing or carrying a noise-making device like pebbles in a can, and carrying bear spray for close encounters

BC Parks and the BC Conservation Officer Service recommend a bear deterrent protocol similar to Parks Canada, including using bear spray and other non-exploding deterrents.