Do you know what to do if you encounter a bear? You might want to brush up after a black bear was spotted crossing the highway in Douglas Provincial Park Thursday morning. We're told there was no threat but park goers are still being given a heads up.

It's a little unusual by traditional standards for bears to be this far south, but it's becoming more common. Conservation Officer Kevin Harrison suggests that anyone heading outdoors know what to do.

"They like to follow their stomachs, their stomach is their main drive," explained Harrison. "If they're in a certain area that doesn't have food then they're going to wander away to find a new food source."

Harrison says if you do encounter a bear the most important thing is to stay calm, don't run away and try to make a wide detour while moving away. If you can get a chance, try to put something like a rock or tree in-between you and the bear. You can drop an article of clothing or a hat to distract the bear while you slowly move away and if it does attack, Harrison says to fight back. The old saying of playing dead is not a good idea and you should do everything you can to get that bear to stop, use rocks, sticks or a pocket knife if you have it.

You can read more about bear encounters here.