Winter Activities & Wild Life in Canada

Canada is a land of wonderful landscapes, pristine vast distances, rich natural beauty located in North America. It is more than its hulking-mountain, craggy-coast good looks it also cooks delicious meals, rocks cool culture and unfurls wild, moose-spotting road trips. The winters last from December until March in the country.  Though winters seize the major outdoor activities in the Nation, however, there is a substantial wildlife that is active during those chilling conditions what provides a good deal of adventures to the wildlife seekers, hunters and photographers.

Canadian Beaver – Pic by Pixabay

The most of the National Parks offer a variety of activities and fun while catching glimpses of some rare wild animals and birds. The wildlife parks in Canada provides a rare experience and sightings of some rare animals like wolves, black bears, mooses, buffalo, beavers and catch some first-hand experience on Ice fishing. We are listing a few of the famous national parks and the various winter activities to be enjoyed along with their attractive wildlife.
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The Canadian Rocky Mountains

Every animal lover wants to know how they can increase their chances of spotting the wildlife in the Canadian Rocky Mountains, but there is no answer available for this it all depends on your luck and being at the right place at the right time. In spite of this, there are certain places where you can spot the animal more frequently as compared to other places. We can say that Canadian Rocky Mountain is the magical place because you never know when you will be going to get a glimpse of the animals in rocky mountains.It could be during your hiking or just right in one of the small towns. Here are some important points for successful and safe wildlife viewing.

Canadian Rocky Mountains Pic By Pixalby

Are you thinking about planning a trip to the Canadian Rocky Mountains? but have no idea where to start then you are at the right place here is a guide about what you can see and what is the right time and season to visit?

Basically, Rocky Mountains are home to an array of mammals and birds. Without a lot of effort, you can spot the animals like deer, bighorn sheeps, red and ground squirrels scurrying from tree to tree but there is a less chance to spot the mountain goats, wolves, mountain lions and wolverine. Now talking about the birds which can be frequently spotted are stellar Jays, ravens and Clark’s Nutcrackers.

The Best Times Of The Year To See Wildlife

A Mountain Goat in Action Pic by Pixabay

Now some of you are excited enough after reading this and want to know the best time of the year to see wildlife in the Canadian Rockies. Ironically, the best time of the year to see wildlife in the Canadian Rockies is during the slower tourist season of spring, fall and winter. Fall is the time when bears are actively foraging because they need to pack on as much fat as possible before winters. By late October most of the bears have gone back into hibernation. Some bulls are aggressive at this time, so make some safe distance while spotting the bulls in the Canadian Rockies. You can spot the female mule deer and Bighorn sheep throughout the year but if you want to see the male mule deer then fall and winters are the best time to spot them. In the fall bucks are actively searching for the mates and in early winter the Bighorn Rams come down from the higher alpine to challenge each other. Their head-butt competition can last for hours and the clash of horns is so forceful it can be heard echoing off the mountains. When the spring comes the snow begins to clear in the lower valleys then the wildlife can be seen foraging for grass along the roadsides. Now, this is the time when Bighorn sheep and deer start to bring their young to the grassy areas as well. The odd bear can be seen as early as mid to late March, but most of them to come out of hibernation in Late April and early May.

The Best time of day to see wildlife

Now if you have a question about at which time you can see the wildlife then here is the answer of your question- the best time for seeing the wildlife is getting up early in the morning because at this time they are quite active and that increase your chances to spot the wildlife. The next optimal times are in the late afternoon and in a couple of hours prior to sunset as these are the active feeding hours for many of the animals. So go on this time and experience the most beautiful creature on this earth. In the spring as the snow begins to clear in the lower valleys the wildlife can be seen foraging for grass along the roadsides. Female elk will group together in meadows close to the towns of Banff and Jasper with their new calves. Bighorn sheep and deer start to bring their young to the grassy areas as well.The odd Bear can be seen as early as mid to late March, but most of them start to come out of hibernation in late April and early May.

An Elk in Wilderness – Pic by Pixabay

Now when the summer approaches, the temperature rise and the tourist activity increases. Then this is the time the wildlife head higher up into the alpine terrain. But if you are a bird watching lover then spring and summer are the best viewing seasons for you to watch the birds regardless of what park you are visiting, the less travelled roads and quieter areas are the best places to try to spot wildlife. Try to discover some places related to the wildlife so you can improve your chances to spot the wildlife and enjoy those moments.

The famous places to spot wildlife in Banff National Park: –

• Fenland Trial – In this trail elk can be spotted along the riverside.
• Minnewanka Loop – If you want to see the elk, coyotes, wolves and much more then this is the right place for you because these animals can be spotted along the roadside.
• Vermillion Lakes – Now if you are visiting there in early spring when there are chances that you are spotting mule deer and whitetail deer and if you are visiting in the sept then you can spot the elk.
• Buffalo Paddock – Although the name of this popular Golden Gate Park suggests you will encounter a gang of buffalo and also in this area you can see the elk gathered in the grasses.
• Norquay Road – Bighorn sheep, elk, coyote and mule deer and rare sightings of cougars can occur on this road.
• Fairmont Banff Springs golf course – elk can commonly be seen on the greens, as well as mule deer and white-tailed deer.
• Buffalo Paddock – This is an area along the right-hand side of the Trans Canada Highway just west of the town of Banff, elk can be seen gathered in the grasses.
• Bourgeau Lake – This is often a very good place to see mountain goats and bighorn sheep on the mountainsides near the lake.
• Tunnel Mountain Drive or Hike – It is a place where elk hang out in the grassy areas along the roadside.

The Best Places To View Wildlife In Lake Louise: –

You can spot the wildlife in Lake Louise. It is a main grizzly breading area for bears. Campground which is located in the village of Lake Louise has an electric fence around it to keep the bears out.

Grizzly Bear – Pic by Pixabay

• Plain of Six Glaciers Trai – You can often be seen the grizzlies feeding on the grassy slopes during the summer and early fall time.You can also spot the Mountain goat if you are lucky enough.
• Around the Lake – Pika live in the rocks at the back of the lake, listen for their high pitched squeak. Some female bears and cubs have often been spotted at the back of the lake in the spring season.
• Moraine lake – It is a glacially fed lake in Banff National Park, 14 kilometres outside the Village of Lake Louise, Alberta, Canada. Grizzly bears can be spotted in this area but there are restrictions put in place on certain trails where a minimum party of six is required. Before going to this place collect all the information through the local parks Canada office or on their websites for current notices.
• Lake Louise Gondola – It is located in the Banff national park. It offers unique opportunities to enjoy guided hikes and spotted the home of a grizzly bear. The best timing to see grizzly bears are from June through September.
• Pyramid Lake Road – There are chances that you can possibly see moose and bear along the roadside or at the lake.
• Miette Hotsprings – This is a popular place for bighorn sheep. You can also spot the black bears on hiking trails in Jasper and on higher elevation hikes and there is also a possibility for spotted the Grizzlies.
• The townsite area- Elk and Mule deer are hanging out around the town particularly in the fall rutting season.
• Athabasca Falls – Goat lick is a place situated in the south of the falls where Mountain Goats can sometimes be seen along the roadside. Bighorn sheep like to hang out at the Columbia Icefields Center and around the glacier. You can also spot the Cougars also known as the mountain lion or puma on many of the hiking trails around the Canmore. Just Driving along the highway 40 it is open for the season which is also good for spotting wildlife. if you wish to see the Bighorn Rams then heading towards the Bow Valley Trail in early winter just fulfil your wish.

Male Moose – Pic by Max Pixel

• Jasper Gondola – In Jasper you can experience the most beautiful moments while watching, photographing along Highway 93A, Highway 16 or the Maligne Lake Road early in the morning or late in the evening.The slow season for visitor basically spring and fall tend to be the best time to see the animals in Jasper Gondola particularly bears, caribou and moose.

Canmore And Kananaskis Country Wildlife Viewing

Kananaskis Country is located west & southwest of Calgary. its a lesser known or lesser visited by tourist but it is the best place to see wildlife. While driving around the area you can spot the Bighorn sheep, coyotes and sometimes moose roaming in the area. Driving along highway 40 when it is open for the season is also a good road for spotting wildlife.The Bow Valley Trail heading east from Canmore to Cochrane is a good spot to see the Bighorn Rams in early winter.

Bighorn Sheep – Pic by Commons Wikimedia

• Kootenay National Park – when you head towards the Highway 93 south that runs from the Banff area to Radium Hotsprings through Kootenay National Park then you can take a glimpse of Mountain Lions, white-tailed deer, mule deer, mountain goats and bighorn sheep, especially in spring and fall. in this area, Bighorn sheep have existed in large number.
• Waterton Lakes National Park – Waterton Lakes National Park located in the southwest corner of Alberta, Canada. It has an abundance of wildlife. Bighorn sheep, deer and Grizzly bears can also be seen.

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