How to Camp Safely in Bear Country

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By Wasatch
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Camp Safely in Bear Country

With more people venturing into remote back county areas to camp and bear habitat becoming more frequented so bears are use to humans we need to be more aware of how to camp safely in bear territory. Black bears are generally not aggressive unless you are near their young, surprise them or keeping food accessible in your camp. Grizzly bears are another matter. In the lower 48 states you are generally dealing with black bears. Here are a few tips to keeping your wilderness camping trip safe from bear encounters.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Step 1

The most important step to keeping bears out of your camp is to keep your camp free of food and food waste. Clean up after meals. Don't leave food accessible to bears. If you camp near your vehicle store food there. Tie food in trees away from your tent. Never store food in your tent. Cook away from camp if possible and never leave grease or food scraps in your pans. If cooking highly scented food like meat and fish change clothes before you go into your tent to sleep and keep the clothes that you cooked in stored away from you. Store food and trash in airtight bags. Store scented items like sunblock and lotion in airtight bags as well.
Step 2

When hiking hike in a group or make some noise if you are in a bear area. Hang a bell on your backpack. Hike with a dog. Even a small dog is a deterrent to bears. Be extra aware in the early morning hours and evening hours when bears are most active.
Step 3

Don't camp in bear feeding areas. This would be any berry bush area. Avoid camping right next to streams or river banks where bears may come to drink or fish. This is especially true in times when fish spawn and bears are drawn to easy meals.
Step 4

If camping in known bear areas keep bear spray with you. Especially in Grizzly bear areas. Talk to local outfitters to see what is appropriate and what they use themselves. In extreme situations if you are carrying a gun when a bear is attacking or very aggressive you may need to shoot a bear. Always shoot to kill and keep shooting until the bear is dead. A wounded bear is far more dangerous to you. If you do shoot a bear report it immediately to proper authorities. Also report to ranges any sighting of aggressive bears or bears entering a camp. If a bear is unafraid of people they will need to warn others and relocate or euthanize the animal.