🤍 Dog Kills Deer: Witness Speaks

Good morning, Bow Valley!

Last week, we announced our next Bow Valley Insider get-together, and now only 12 spots remain. On Nov. 9, We’re teaming up with elite Canmore biathletes for a beginner-friendly evening of XC skiing and rifle shooting. You'll learn directly from high-performance athletes and coaches, with just 3-4 participants per instructor. No experience necessary, and you can bring your own skis or rent. It's $30 per person. Get more details and reserve your spot here.

-Ben S., Cassandra Stefanic, Fortune Whelan, Brendan Nogue, Alexia Chambers, Keith Fernandes

OFF-LEASH DOG KILLS DEER IN CANMORE, COUNCILLOR PUSHES FOR ZERO-TOLERANCE POLICY

What’s Happening? A mule deer was killed by an off-leash dog near Canmore’s Engine Bridge on Oct. 11, prompting an investigation and calls for tougher enforcement of the town’s leash laws. Canmore Coun. Wade Graham is pushing for a zero-tolerance policy that would eliminate warnings for violations.

A Witness Recounts The Incident. Canmore resident Patricia Johnston watched as the deer repeatedly tried to escape through the Bow River. The dog's owner attempted to call it back and even entered the water to retrieve it, without success.

"The dog was relentless in its pursuit, like it didn't back off at any time," Johnston told Bow Valley Insider.

The dog eventually caught up with the deer, which died following the attack.

The Owner Has Come Forward. Municipal peace officers were initially unable to locate the dog and its owner. However, after the town issued a public appeal for information, the individual contacted authorities.

The Town of Canmore is working with Alberta Forestry and Parks to investigate the incident. Officials have not confirmed whether any charges will be laid.

Could The Rules Get Tougher? Coun. Wade Graham wants Canmore to adopt a zero-tolerance policy for off-leash violations, eliminating warnings and potentially increasing fines.

"Personally, I'm done with the lame excuses," Graham wrote on Facebook.

Canmore already has substantial penalties for dogs harassing wildlife:

• $750 for a first offence involving chasing or threatening wildlife, increasing to $2,500 for a third or subsequent offence.

• $1,000 for causing severe injury or death to wildlife, increasing to $4,000 for a third or subsequent offence.

Graham intends to seek council support for tougher enforcement, but no policy changes have been approved.

The Bigger Picture. Off-leash dogs are among the most common complaints received by Canmore's municipal enforcement department.

Officials warn that even well-trained dogs can behave unpredictably around wildlife, putting animals, owners and bystanders at risk.

"Even the most obedient dogs may harass wildlife to protect their humans," Caitlin Miller, Canmore's manager of protective services, told Bow Valley Insider. "They're not socialized with wildlife. So we don't know how they're going to react."

Read our full story 

YEARS SINCE YOUR LAST DENTAL CLEANING? START HERE

It's common to put off a dental hygiene appointment. Life gets busy, time passes, and the longer it's been, the easier it can feel to keep waiting. Some people also feel embarrassed about the condition of their teeth or worry about what they might hear.

At Floss, the approach is straightforward: it doesn't matter whether it's been six months or ten years since your last visit. The team isn't there to evaluate you as a person. They're there to help you understand where things are at and what you need to move forward.

Appointments start by listening. The team completes a thorough assessment, reviews what they're seeing clearly and directly, and helps prioritize what's urgent, what's preventative, and what can be managed over time. Where there's been a long gap in care, care can be staged across multiple visits for comfort and thoroughness.

The focus is practical and realistic: understanding what's going on now, what needs attention, and how to get to a healthier, more stable place over time. Whether it's been six months or ten years since your last appointment, the goal is to help you leave feeling more confident than when you arrived because you understand what's going on and what comes next. 

Floss has clinics in both Banff and Canmore. You can book your first comprehensive dental hygiene appointment here.

_{*Presented by Floss.}

THE DIGEST

• 🔥 Suspected Illegal Campfire Sparks Wildfire On Banff’s Tunnel Mountain. Parks Canada crews responded to a small wildfire early Tuesday morning on Tunnel Mountain. Campers reported smelling smoke overnight, while webcam footage suggests the fire was burning around 3 AM. Parks Canada believes an illegal campfire may have sparked the blaze, although the cause remains unconfirmed. Crews quickly brought it under control, with a helicopter assisting efforts to fully extinguish it. Whether anyone responsible has been identified remain unknown. Despite cooler temperatures, Parks Canada warns vegetation remains dangerously dry. See pictures.

• 🥾 Hikers Want Parks Canada To Restore Banff's Backcountry Trails. A Canadian hiking group says deteriorating trails and missing bridges are making large sections of Banff, Jasper and Kootenay national parks increasingly difficult to access. The Canadian Backcountry Trails Preservation Society estimates restoring existing trails and bridges would cost approximately $50 million, plus $1-2 million annually for maintenance. Parks Canada says it prioritizes investments based on visitor use and conservation needs, noting some trails are intentionally left unmaintained to protect wildlife habitat. The debate raises a bigger question: how much of our national parks should remain accessible to hikers?

• 💦 New Water Pipeline To Bring Changes To Lake Louise Trails Locals using trails around Lake Louise may notice some changes this winter as the ski area installs an above-ground water pipeline. Temporary pedestrian bridges will be added where the pipe crosses pathways, though Parks Canada says the popular Bow River Loop won't be affected. The pipeline will supply groundwater for snowmaking when Pipestone River levels are too low and remain in place until spring 2027. Here’s what to know.

• 🐻 Bow Valley Wildlife Documentary Gets New Streaming Home. Canmore-based filmmaker Leanne Allison's documentary, Living with Wildlife, explores how Canmore and Banff have spent decades learning to coexist with grizzly bears. The 23-minute film highlights local efforts, from bear-proof garbage bins to wildlife crossings, that have helped make the Bow Valley a model for human-wildlife coexistence. The documentary has now been added to The Green Channel, giving residents another chance to watch it. Check it out here.

Our Social Channels Got 5M+ Views in The Last 30 Days

A 30-second video might look simple. Behind it are hours of strategy, filming, and editing, with several BVI team members making it happen.

Our videos introduce people to local businesses, experiences, and stories they might otherwise miss. And for the businesses we feature, that exposure can translate into real customers and sales.

Want more people to discover your Bow Valley business? Let’s chat about your marketing.

ALBERTA SAYS GRIZZLY BEAR NUMBERS ARE GROWING, BUT WHAT ABOUT THE BOW VALLEY?

What’s Happening? Alberta says its grizzly bear population has climbed from roughly 700 in 2010 to 1,000 today. But is the Bow Valley seeing the same growth? With local population surveys now more than a decade old, researchers say it's impossible to know for sure.

What Do We Know Locally? Not as much as you might think. The Bow Valley falls within a larger bear management area that includes Canmore, Exshaw and Kananaskis. Its most recent population surveys were conducted in 2014 and 2016, meaning the available counts are now 10 to 12 years old.

Alberta's grizzly bear recovery plan describes the area's population as stable or likely stable, but that assessment doesn't provide a current count.

So, Where Does The 1,000 Figure Come From? The province credits its recovery plan for the reported increase but hasn't identified the dataset, reference year or methodology behind its latest estimate.

There is evidence of growth in some regions. In the Yellowhead area near Hinton, comparable surveys estimated 36 bears in 2004 and about 71 in 2014. But longtime grizzly researcher Gordon Stenhouse says those results can't tell us whether populations are still growing today.

But Aren't We Seeing More Bears? More sightings don't automatically mean more grizzlies. Stenhouse says increased recreation, changes in bear movements and more people reporting encounters can all influence how often bears are spotted.

Determining whether populations are actually growing requires updated surveys using comparable methods.

What Happens Next? The Alberta Wilderness Association wants the province to conduct regular population surveys, as recommended in its grizzly bear recovery plan.

Alberta says it's supporting a new monitoring project, but hasn't provided a timeline for releasing results.

Until those findings are available, one important question remains unanswered: are grizzly numbers in the Bow Valley actually increasing, or are people simply encountering them more often?

Read our full story

THINGS TO DO

Wednesday

• Last Wednesday Night Mountain Bike Ride Of The Season. Canmore Brewing is wrapping up its free weekly group rides with one final outing for intermediate to advanced mountain bikers. Meet at the brewery at 6 PM, head out onto a local trail with fellow riders, then return around 8 PM for a well-earned post-ride pint. With daylight fading and temperatures dropping, bring charged bike lights and warm layers. 6 PM-8 PM. Canmore Brewing Company. Free.*

• Canmore’s Free Improv Night. This week’s Pine Tree Players improv drop-in is all about bringing imaginary characters to life. Experiment with funny voices, exaggerated movements and big personalities, then see how your character reacts when the scene takes an unexpected turn. No acting experience or registration needed, just a willingness to get a little silly. 7-9 PM. Elevation Place, Room 212. Free, 18+.*

Thursday

• Free Crafting Social At Canmore Library. Got a knitting project, scrapbook or half-finished craft gathering dust? The Canmore Public Library’s Crafting Social Afternoon invites you to bring your own project, work alongside other local creatives and make some new friends. No project? Try the library’s Cricut machine or some adult colouring instead. 2-4 PM. Canmore Public Library. Free.

CANMORE IS GETTING A HAUNTED PARTY BUS.

If sitting quietly through another ghost tour sounds a little too tame, Canmore Ghost Tours has something considerably more spirited planned for Halloween.

On Friday, Oct. 30, Hallowheels will take passengers on a haunted party bus ride through some of the Bow Valley’s creepiest locations.

The evening begins at The Gem before the bus heads toward Bankhead, Surprise Lookout, Quarry Lake, Three Sisters Lookout and the Canmore Recreation Centre. Along the way, Banff Canmore Ghost Walks will share chilling local stories with help from spooky theatrics, Halloween lighting and sound effects.

And because this is a party bus, not a school field trip, your ticket also includes a craft beer from Canmore’s Screaming Retriever Brewing Company.

The bus eventually arrives at The Drake, where DJ Wolfie Beatz will keep the Halloween party going until late. Cover is included, and anyone ready to call it a night can take the bus back to The Gem.

Hallowheels departs at 6:30 PM. Craft beer included. Screams optional.

Grab your ticket and get on the bus

_{*Presented by The Collective.}

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

• 🚧 Yoho Valley Road Closes For Winter. Planning a drive to Takakkaw Falls? You'll have to wait until next summer. Yoho Valley Road is now closed to vehicles, with access expected to return in June 2027. Hiking, cycling and e-biking are still permitted, and cross-country ski grooming will begin once snow allows. The road passes through avalanche terrain, so check conditions and make sure you're properly equipped before heading out.

• 📌 Just Moved to Banff? Here’s Something Most People Don’t Know. Every winter, new arrivals land in Banff and quickly realize healthcare here works a bit differently. Pharmacists can assess and prescribe for common issues, handle refills, and often save you a trip to a clinic. That’s especially useful when you’re new, busy, and not sure where to go. At Banff Value Drug Mart, owner and pharmacist Varun helps a lot of seasonal staff get sorted quickly. If you know someone arriving this winter, point them his way early. Locals also get 15% off anything in the store, every day of the week.*

• ✨ Exshaw Legion Marks Two Major Anniversaries. The Exshaw Legion is celebrating 80 years of Branch 179 and the Royal Canadian Legion's 100th anniversary on Saturday, Oct. 17. The milestone celebration will feature a performance by award-winning Alberta roots musician John Wort Hannam, alongside a meat draw at 3 PM, Ukrainian supper at 5 PM, and live music at 7 PM. Tickets for supper and the show are $30.*

• ✅ Lake Minnewanka Backcountry Reopens After Bear Closure. Good news for hikers. Parks Canada has reopened the Lake Minnewanka and Aylmer Pass trails, along with six backcountry campgrounds, following a closure that began September 16. The area had been off-limits after black bears displayed food-seeking behaviour over several months, raising concerns about visitor and wildlife safety. Parks Canada says the restrictions have now been lifted, but reminds visitors that fall weather, shorter daylight hours and changing trail conditions can still make backcountry travel challenging.

• 🍱 Dinner Just Got Easier With Valbella’s Grab & Go Specials. With Thanksgiving behind us and cooler weather settling in, Valbella is bringing some comfort food to the table. This month's Grab & Go specials include Pizza Night with Caesar salad for $18 and Perogy Night with sour cream, bacon bits, and onions for $17. Both are available at the deli throughout October, with Friday home delivery also an option for folks in the Bow Valley, Cochrane, or Calgary.*

CIVIC NEWS

• Canmore Parking Rates Drop This Thursday. Parking around Canmore is about to get a little cheaper. Starting Oct. 15, winter rates take effect downtown, at Riverside Park and at the Bow River boat launch, dropping to $2 an hour on weekdays and $3 on weekends and holidays. Quarry Lake parking also falls to $2.50 an hour. Canmore residents with parking permits still get up to three free hours per day in paid zones.

LIVE MUSIC

• Wednesday, October 14, 2026, 10:00 PM: DJ Bunny Hops. Location: High Rollers, Banff. No Cover.

• Wednesday, October 14, 2026, 10:00 PM: Tommy's Open Mic. Location:Pump and Tap, Banff. No Cover.

• Thursday, October 15, 2026, 6:30 PM: Andy Curtis and the Bow Valley Drifters. Location: The Dusty Boot, Banff. No Cover. No Cover.

SPORTS

• Canmore Eagles Sweep Thanksgiving Weekend. The defending AJHL champs had plenty to celebrate this weekend, beating the Calgary Canucks 6-4 on Friday and 5-1 on Saturday. The Eagles are now 6-2 on the season, undefeated at home and tied with Grande Prairie atop the standings. Next up? A battle for first place as the Eagles host the Storm this Friday, Oct. 16, at 7 PM.

That’s all, folks!

We’ll see you back here on Friday, same time, same place! 

Heads Up: We sometimes feature paid promotion from local businesses and organizations we trust. When you see a little asterisk (*), that means it’s a sponsored post. We only work with partners we think our readers will actually care about.