
Northern BC: Khutzeymateen Grizzly Bear Sanctuary (Map 32/D6)
Access into BC’s first Grizzly Bear sanctuary is restricted; you will need a guide to be able to enter, but your chances of seeing a Grizzly bear (in season) is better here than anywhere else in the province.
Southern Alberta: Sheep River Wildlife Sanctuary (Map 28/B4)
A large band of bighorn sheep lives year-round in this sanctuary, with its abundant grasslands and convenient escape routes along the river canyon walls. The sanctuary is an excellent place to watch sheep feeding, interacting and on occasion, being stalked by coyotes. During the fall, mature rams can often be closely observed from the comfort of your vehicle. This is also one of the best areas in the province for observing migrating birds of prey, which follow the foothill ridges in spring and fall. Golden eagles are especially prominent. The sanctuary is closed to vehicles December 1 to May 15 to protect the winter sheep range.
Northeastern Ontario: Chapleau Crown Game Preserve (Map 37–39, 48–51)
Established in 1952, the Chapleau Crown Game Preserve is a massive, 263,029 hectare area that serves as a sanctuary for birds and mammals, such as moose and bear. It is the largest game preserve in the world. Wildlife from the preserve has been transferred to game preserves in other areas of Ontario and the USA. Hunting and trapping is forbidden within this protected place. The reserve’s boundaries begin at Chapleau and follow the Canadian Pacific Rail Line to the Algoma Central Rail Line near the settlement of Franz where the boundary moves north to Oba. The east side of the park begins at Chapleau and roughly follows Highway 101 and the Nemegosenda River to Elsas where it follows the Canadian National Rail Line to Oba.
Prince Edward Island: Harvey Moore Sanctuary (Map 2/E1)
From Montague, Route 4 leads south to the signed Harvey Moore Wildlife Sanctuary. This is a well know spot for waterfowl, and a nesting ground for wild Canada Geese, ducks and many other birds. You may also come across a few chickadees, kinglets and certain warblers such as Northern Parula. Be sure to watch for the Black-backed Woodpeckers in the trees.
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