How to Bear Proof a Campsite
For "green" campers, meaning inexperienced, the first experiences of camping in bear country tend to be intimidating and a little frightening. There is no need to have these fears, as bears and humans can and do coexist. For the peaceful coexistence to take place, your campsite needs to be "bear-proofed." There are no guarantees bears won't try to get to the food or scented items, but the steps taken to bear-proof the campsite stack the deck against it from happening.
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Instructions
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Walk the perimeter of any campsite looking for signs of fresh bear tracks, scat or any dead animal carcasses known as bear caches. If a cache is present, report it to the rangers and do not camp in the area. If you find bear tracks or scat near the campground, look for another campsite away from the fresh activity.
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Place all items with a scent into bear-resistant canisters, called "bear cans." Many national and state parks have bear cans for rent at the ranger's offices or visitor centers. Many parks require food and scented items be stored in the canisters and issue tickets to those who do not comply. Be sure to check at the park where you are camping for current rules and regulations. Scented items include toiletries such as toothpaste, deodorants or any prescriptions or vitamins.
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Keep one bear can empty for garbage and discarded food. If your campground has bear lockers, lock the bear cans with your food in the bear lockers (Yellowstone and Yosemite are two examples of parks with food lockers). If no lockers are present, store all bear cans at least 100 yards from the campsite where you sleep.
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Set up the kitchen at least 100 yards away from the sleeping and sitting area. Keep all food away from the sleeping and sitting area. Eat meals and snacks at the kitchen area -- no exceptions. Wash and brush teeth in the kitchen area as well -- again, no exceptions.
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Wear "cooking clothing" for food prep and cooking. Do not wear this clothing to bed or in the tent. Take it off by the kitchen,, and hang it next to the kitchen area. Wear clothes that have no grease or food stains to bed.
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Tips & Warnings
There are varying schools of thought on used feminine hygiene products in bear country. One school says place it all into plastic bags and haul it out of the backcountry, and another suggests it get burned. If you decide to pack it out, wrap it into two baggies and place it into the bear can designated for garbage and store it at least 100 yards from the tent or sitting area. Do not panic or stress about having your period in bear country. Just take care to wash, and dispose of the products safely.
References
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