Kelowna RCMP are warning users of the Mission Creek Greenway to be cautious after a mother black bear charged at a hiker who was trying to get a closer look at the bear and her cubs.

The incident happened at 6:10 p.m. Oct. 8 when the man spotted the bears on the opposite side of Mission Creek, half a kilometer north of the bridge on KLO Road near Spiers Road.

When the man went to the edge of the creek, to get a closer look, the mother bear charged across the creek and up the embankment to within 10 feet of the shocked man who tried to climb a tree, then ran away. Fortunately, the bear felt she had made her point, and did not pursue the man.

Police went to the area where the bears were last seen, but the family was gone. A call was made to the Conservation Service.

Bears are a common sight in the area this time of year as they are drawn to the orchards for fruit, and certain streams for the spawning kokanee. If you are out and about on the hiking trails, be Bear Aware.

Take precautions, such as:

• Making noise like talking or singing as you hike, or wearing bear bells to signal the bears that humans are in the area. Carry a whistle and/or bear spray.

• Keeping your dog on a leash. Fido may chase after the bear and bring the bear back to you if it becomes defensive.

If you find yourself near a mother bear and cubs, leave the area immediately. Do not stop to take pictures.

If a black bear charges you, put something, like a tree or large rock, between you and the bear. Make a lot of noise to confuse the bear and put your arms up to look as big as you can. Do not run, instead back away while making noise and looking big. Deploy bear spray, if you have it, but be aware of wind direction as it may blow back at you. Climbing a tree is not effective as black bears can climb trees much better than humans.

If you have food with you, and a bear approaches, leave the food behind and walk away. The bear has probably smelled the food and is looking for lunch.

Never approach a bear or poke it. Don't ask someone to take a picture of you with it. Some people still do this and it's not a good idea.

Exercising common sense will go a long way towards avoiding human/bear confrontations, that could result in possible injury for the human, and certain death for the bear.