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WATCH: Bear tears golf bag from cart at Canadian golf course, disappears into the woods

"To be fair, the balls in the bag were ending up in the woods one way or another."
Village Life
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To be fair, the balls in the bag were ending up in the woods one way or another. - @jordanpulaman / Twitter

A golfer at a Coquitlam golf course was hunting for birdies recently but ended up with a bear instead.

Jerome Gignac was playing a round of golf at Westwood Plateau with his friend when a curious bear took interest in his golf bag, tearing it from their cart. The pair attempted to deter the bear from taking the bag into the woods by screaming and following the animal.

Despite Gignac's efforts to scare the bear off, it dragged the clubs into a nearby ravine.

Warning: Some may find the language in this video offensive. 

 

Encounters with bears and other wildlife are not uncommon at golf courses across Canada. 

If you do see a bear when when golfing, know the warning signs of aggressive behaviour and learn to be bear wise to avoid an encounter. Bears are smart, curious, powerful and potentially dangerous. And they do not like surprises. 

A surprised black bear will give off warning signs to let you know you are too close. For example, a black bear standing on its hind legs is not a sign of aggressive behaviour. The bear is trying to get a better look at you or catch your scent. 

If you do encounter a bear, Ontario’s Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry has some helpful tips to keep you safe:

“Generally, the noisier the bear is, the less dangerous it is, provided you do not approach,” the Ministry states on their website. “The noise is meant to ‘scare’ you off and acts as a warning signal.”

DO:

  • Slowly back away while keeping the bear in sight and wait for it to leave.
  • Throw objects, wave your arms and make noise with a whistle, air horn or yelling if the bear does not leave.
  • Prepare to use bear spray.
  • Get inside a building or vehicle, if you are nearby, as a precaution.
  • Drop any food you may be carrying and slowly move away.
  • Leave a bear alone if it is in a tree. Leave the area. The bear will come down when it feels safe.
  • Play dead only if you encounter a mother bear with cubs.

DON’T

  • Run, climb a tree or swim.
  • Kneel down.
  • Make direct eye contact.
  • Approach the bear to get a better look.
  • Attempt to feed a bear.
  • Play dead unless you are attacked by a mother bear defending her cubs.

Click here for more information on how to be bear wise.