Wildlife Viewing

The white-tailed deer is a common sight across North America. The white-tailed deer is the largest and most numerous of all the large animals in North America. Its range extends northward well into the boreal, or northern coniferous, forest from the continent's southern tip. Great Slave Lake, in the north, is home to a few scattered individuals. The white-tailed deer can be found in southern Canada, from Cape Breton Island to south-central British Columbia. White-tailed deer have a preference for areas that are both open and covered by forest. They are frequently observed in farms, woodlands, meadows, and areas close to streams. Deer can be found in forested areas where there is a lot of food during the summer. Deer, on the other hand, will congregate in "deer yards" during the winter, when there is less food available and the snow is deep, where they can find food and shelter from the cold. Drivers should exercise caution when traveling through deer country, particularly at dusk, as the number of vehicle-deer collisions is rising in Canada.

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Where to find Deer in Canada? Below is a list of the best places that we have found that have a large number of deer.

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Haliburton, ON

Restoule, ON

Credit River, ON

Lake of the Woods, ON

Niagara Region, ON

London, ON

Aberdeen, SK

Elk Island National Park, AB

Fundy National Park, NB

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The black bear is the most common and widespread bear in Canada. It mostly lives in the forests of all provinces and territories, with the exception of Prince Edward Island. Most black bears in the eastern part of North America are jet black, often with a white patch on their chest. Individual bears frequently have coats that are blond, cinnamon, light or dark brown, or a combination of these colors in the western and southern ranges. Bears with bluish undertones inhabit the coastal St. Elias Mountains in British Columbia and Alaska. White to cream-colored bears are less common but can be found on some coastal islands and the BC mainland that is next to them. When on all fours, adults typically measure 150–180 cm from nose to tail and 90 cm from foot to shoulder. About 12 cm long is the tail. Females typically weigh between 92 and 140 kilograms, while males typically weigh between 115 and 270 kilograms. Black bears are able to easily climb trees thanks to their sharp, curved claws. They usually walk slowly, but they can run about 45 kilometers per hour and swim well. Black bears are most likely to be active at night, but they can travel or eat at any time. When you go on vacation in Canada, you never know when you might run into a bear. If you want more information, I highly recommend that you visit the Ontario Bear Wise website at https://www.ontario.ca/page/prevent-bear-encounters-bear-wise. 

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Where to find Black Bears in Canada? Below is a list of the best places that we have found that have a large number of bear and the best chance to see one.

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Algonquin, ON

Kootenay National Park, BC

French River, ON

Chapleau, ON

Banff National Park, AB

Driftwood, ON

Nahanni National Park Reserve, NWT

Gros Morne National Park, NL

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The deer family's largest living animal is the moose. In Canada, there are four subspecies: the Alaska/Yukon moose, the Shiras moose, the Western Canada Moose and the Eastern Canada Moose. Except for Prince Edward Island, they reside in every province and territory. Canada has the largest moose population in the world, consisting of approximately 830,000 moose. British Columbia alone is estimated to have more than 165,000 moose. Moose have pale-colored faces and a dark coat that ranges from blackish to dark brown. Moose have long legs that help them get around snow, logs, and water, which are commonplace in their range. In good condition, mature cows can weigh up to 545 kilograms, and bulls can weigh close to 750 kilograms. Cows do not develop antlers while bulls do. With a larger main palm at the top and a smaller brow palm protruding forward, each antler is referred to as a "palm." Antler growth typically begins in April and is approximately 80% complete by mid-July. The velvet that covers the antlers begins to shed at the beginning of September as the antlers harden after this point. The antlers begin to shed in November. From Newfoundland, where they were introduced, and the Québec-Labrador Peninsula, through Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, west to British Columbia, and north to the Arctic Ocean in Alaska, moose live in the boreal forest in Canada. Yearlings begin to wander without their mothers' guidance in the spring, and moose of all ages are drawn to roadside vegetation and winter salt. For instance, approximately 400 moose are killed by motorists each year in New Brunswick, the majority of which occur during the spring and summer. Always keep an eye out when driving through moose country. On the road, moose can be dangerous, but in the wild, they can be even more dangerous. Usually, moose do not attack; However, a stressed moose, a bull moose in the fall rut, or a cow moose protecting her young could easily become aggressive. Even if wildlife appears calm or friendly, you should never approach them.

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Where to find Moose in Canada? Below is a list of the best places that we have found that have a large number of moose.

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Algonquin, ON

Sioux Lookout, ON

Red Lake, ON

Lake Superior Provincial Park, ON

Gros Morne National Park, NL

Fundy National Park, NB

Maligne Road, Jasper National Park, AB

Central and Sub-Boreal Interior, BC

Northeastern Boreal Plains, BC

Nahanni National Park Reserve, NWT

Elk Island National Park, AB

Fundy National Park, NB

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The largest species of the red deer Cervus elaphus is the North American elk, or wapiti. Elk clearly resemble the well-known white-tailed deer in appearance. But elk are much bigger. They rank second only to the moose in terms of size among Canadian deer. An adult bull elk weighs between 300 and 350 kilograms and stands about 150 centimeters tall at the shoulder. During the late summer, prior to the rut, or breeding season, some large bulls reach 500 kilograms. Despite their significantly reduced size, cows maintain a shoulder height of 135 cm and an adult weight of approximately 250 kg. In the summer, the elk's coat is a reddish brown, while in the winter, it is a dark brown. It appears white from a distance, but closer inspection reveals an ivory-to-orange rump color. The head and neck, in contrast to the rump, are dark. The term "mane" refers to the long, blackish hair on the neck of elk. Elk are social creatures. They rarely occur without other nearby elk. Animals that live in open country lead a herd-like existence. However, today's elk populations reside in forest or parkland regions, where they are typically found in small groups of six or seven animals on average. There are currently approximately 72 000 elk in Canada. British Columbia is home to more than half of the animals.

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Where to find a Elk in Canada? Below is a list of the best places that we have found that have a large number of Elk.

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Jasper National Park, AB

Kootenay, BC

Elk National Park, AB

Waterton Lakes National Park, AB

Banff National Park, AB

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The Bighorn Sheep can be found in the Canadian Rockies in western Alberta and scattered parts of southern British Columbia. The ideal environment for the bighorn is dry, rugged, and abundant in low grasses and herbs. In the winter, herds frequently travel long distances to areas with little snowfall. British Columbia's population of just over 3,000 Bighorn Sheep is thought to be in danger as a result of human encroachment on their natural habitats. However, the Bighorn Sheep is considered safe in Alberta, where it is the official provincial mammal. More than 11,000 of the Bighorn Sheep live in the province's national parks and on provincial lands, accounting for more than 15% of the Bighorn Sheep population in North America. A domestic sheep is about one and a half times smaller than a bighorn. Adult Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep can weigh anywhere from 50 to 130 kilograms and stand between 1.5 and 1.8 meters tall. The enormous horns of male rams distinguish them from female ewes, whose horns are also noticeable smaller and less curved. Depending on the time of year, bighorns have coarse coats that range from a rich brown with white at the hooves and muzzle to a greyish brown.

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Where to find Bighorn Sheep in Canada? Below is a list of the best places that we have found that have a large number of Bighorn Sheep.

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Kakwa Provincial Park, BC & AB

Revelstoke, BC

Jasper National Park, AB

Radium Hot Springs, BC

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Open grasslands that extend across prairies, plains, and river valleys are frequently home to bison. They can be found in parts of British Columbia, Yukon, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba in Canada. The largest mammal in Canada, bison have a long brown mane on their head, neck, and shoulders, a large shoulder hump covered in shaggy brown fur, and short brown fur on their backside. Bison are social animals by nature and frequently travel in large groups of 15-20 animals. During the migration season, numerous individuals form large herds with other groups. Nighttime or at dusk is when they are most active. In most cases, males and females live separately in small groups and mate during the summer.

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Where to find a Bison in Canada? Below is a list of the best places that we have found for a chance to see Bison. Keep in mind that it is not easy to spot a bison in the wild.

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Panther Valley, AB

Red Deer Valley, AB

Elk Island National Park, AB

Wood Buffalo National Park, AB/NWT

Prince Albert National Park, SK

MacKenzie Bison Sanctuary, NWT

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Caribou, also known as reindeer in Europe, are members of the deer family. In general, they are larger than deer but smaller than moose, and their thick coats enable them to survive in cold and snowy environments. They can walk on soft ground and through deep snow thanks to their distinctive hooves. Their hooves sharpen each fall to enable them to break through ice in search of food. Male and female caribou can develop antlers, in contrast to other members of the deer family. The boreal forest is home to boreal caribou throughout the year. Except for Nunavut, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island, they are found in the majority of Canada's provinces and territories. Caribou from the boreal region disperse throughout the forest. They are found in small groups and spread out over vast, uninterrupted stretches of mature forests and peatlands. Boreal caribou are able to avoid predators like wolves and bears thanks to these behaviors and avoiding younger forest that is frequented by other prey species that are targeted by predators (like moose and deer).

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Where to find Caribou in Canada? Below is a list of the best places that we have found that have a large number of Caribou.

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Thelon Game Reserve, NVT

Sahtú region, NWT

Kangiqsualujjuaq, QC

Tuktoyaktuk, NWT

Nahanni National Park Reserve, NWT

Gros Morne National Park, NL

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There are many different shades of grizzly bears. They can be black, brown, white, or yellow-white! The large muscles in the bear's front legs are what cause them to have a hump over their shoulders. Due to their shape and long fur coat, these bears frequently appear to weigh more than they actually do. In Canada, there are approximately 25,000 grizzlies, of which 15,000 live in British Columbia. The remaining 10,000 grizzlies are found in western Alberta, the Yukon, Northwest Territories, southwestern Nunavut, and northern Manitoba's Rocky Mountains. In Canada, grizzlies can be found in subalpine meadows, dense forests, the Arctic tundra, and closer to the Pacific, in the vicinity of inlets and salmon spawning grounds. They prefer uninhabited, rugged mountains and remote locations. Grizzly bears consume everything; Animal protein accounts for 15% to 40% of its diet, while vegetation accounts for 60% to 85%. Wild grizzly bears are extremely unpredictable and extremely powerful. Always ensure that you have a safe encounter with bears and stay well back from them in the wild.

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Where to find Grizzly Bears in Canada? Below is a list of the best places that we have found that have a large number of Grizzly Bears.

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Kootenay National Park, BC

K’tsim-a-deen Grizzly Sanctuary, BC

Great Bear Rainforest, BC

Tweedsmuir Provincial Park, BC

Banff National Park, AB

Tweedsmuir South Provincial Park, BC

Nahanni National Park Reserve, NWT

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The beaver is a mammal that eats plants. It is the largest rodent in Canada and the world's second-largest (after the capybara). It lives mostly at night and is semi-aquatic. Other than humans, the beaver is the only mammal that can create its own environment. It is renowned for its dam, canal, and lodge construction. One or more dams built by beavers provide still and deep water for protection from predators, resulting in the formation of its colonies. Beavers range in weight from 16 to 35 kilograms and have paddled tails up to 1.3 meters long. Beaver fur is dark, reddish brown, with coarse guard hairs over dense, insulating underfur covering the thicker body. Its dense, insulating fur and high mass-to-surface ratio make it suitable for a semi-aquatic life in ice-cold water. The beaver coats its fur with oil that comes from two glands close to the anus to make it waterproof. The beaver is not completely submerged in water after swimming there for six or seven minutes. Beavers are found infrequently on the prairies, but they can be found in forested areas across Canada and north to the treeline. They usually live in slow-moving streams, where they build dams out of sticks, logs, mud, and other debris.

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Where to find Beavers in Canada? Below is a list of the best places that we have found that have a large number of beavers.

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The Colombia River (south of Golden), BC

Flowing Water Trail, Bow Valley Provincial Park, BC

Algonquin Provincial Park, ON

Fish Creek Provincial Park, AB

Parc National De La Jacques-Cartier, QC

Frontenac Provincial Park, ON

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The polar bear is not only the largest bear species in the world, but it is also the largest land carnivore. Males can weigh up to 800 kilograms and grow to lengths of up to 2.8 meters, while females can grow to lengths of up to 2.5 meters and weigh up to 400 kilograms. This bear has a black nose and a long, narrow head. It has dense, water-resistant fur that is white during the rest of the year and yellow or off-white during the summer. Even its paw pads are covered in fur, insulating its feet and improving traction when walking on ice and snow. The paws of this ferocious carnivore are strong, sharp, and slightly webbed. It uses them to swim, climb on and dig through ice and snow, collapse seal dens, and hunt seals with them.

From the Yukon and the Beaufort Sea in the west to Newfoundland and Labrador in the east of Canada, they live in ice-covered areas. Additionally, they can be found on James Bay and Northern Ellesmere Island. Canada is home to two-thirds of all polar bears in the world. Along the coast of James Bay in Ontario, polar bears can be found at their southernmost population. These bears usually live along the Arctic Ocean's coast and in the channels that run between the many islands and archipelagos there. Seasonal changes alter their habitat. For instance, during the summer months when sea ice melts, all polar bears migrate to the shore for two to four months. They survive during this time by using fat stores. They return to the sea ice once autumn arrives. Sea ice is very important to polar bears, who use it for hunting, traveling, and mating. Ringed seals are polar bears' preferred prey because they are carnivores. They look for cracks in the ice, edges of the ice, and breathing holes when they hunt on the sea ice for seals. Despite their preference for ringed seals, polar bears consume other species of seals and whale carcasses. In one meal, a single polar bear can eat up to 46 kilograms of food.

Keep an eye out for bears so you don't get too close to them. Polar bears shouldn't be approached, bullied, or provoked. Try not to draw bears. To keep bears from becoming food-conditioned, use bear-resistant trash and food storage containers. People and bears may be injured or killed in close proximity to bears. These outcomes are detrimental to polar bear conservation goals and tragic for individuals.

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Where to find Polar Bears in Canada? Below is a list of the best places that we have found that have a large number of Polar Bears.

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Churchill, MB

Wager Bay, NVT

James Bay Coast, ON

Southern Beaufort Sea, NWT

Herschel Island Territorial Park, YT

Pond Inlet, NVT

 

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The largest and most potent wildcat in Canada is the cougar, also known as a mountain lion or puma. Males can be over 60 kilograms in weight and two meters long. The majority of the adult cougar's body is covered in short brown or greyish (sometimes reddish) fur, and the chest and belly are white. It has black markings on its ears and muzzle, as well as a long, black-tipped tail. Until they are about six months old, kittens have spotted coats. The cougar is a shy animal that humans rarely see. The Cougar lives in vast, unspoilt forests or other natural areas where there are few people. White-tailed deer, an important source of food for the Cougar, must thrive in the forest. The species's range spans a significant portion of North, Central, and South America. Due to the remoteness of the habitat, Cougars are probably thought to reside in northern Ontario in Ontario. However, numerous reports have been received from the province's southern region. The cougars that are found in Ontario could be native animals, escaped or released pets, animals that have spread from western North America, or a combination of the two. The size of the population is unknown. Rarely do cougars pursue their prey. They are masters of disguise and will advance slowly and quietly before swooping in. Typically, the Cougar hunts at night. Cougars are timid and typically avoid people. Keep your cool, remain standing, and make yourself appear larger by raising your arms above your head if you spot a Cougar. You should leave the area right away and slowly back away. Throw objects at the animal if it behaves aggressively; do not flee!

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Where to find Cougars in Canada? Below is a list of the best places that we have found that have a large number of Cougar

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Vancouver Island, BC

Canmore, AB

Tatlayoko Valley, BC

Waterton Lakes National Park, AB

Cypress Hills Region, SK

Porcupine Hills Provincial Park, SK

Turtle Mountain Provincial Park, MB​

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