This is Bear Country
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This is Bear Country |
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The possibility of seeing wildlife in its natural
habitat is one of the reasons people visit the wilderness. Seeing a
black bear is a rare and exciting experience remembered for years to
come. But the very things that make bears fun to watch - their curiosity,
acrobatic antics and large appetites - are the things that give bears the
ability to ruin your wilderness trip. NEVER APPROACH A BEAR CUB; the very
protective mother is probably close by.
There is no guarantee that a bear will not visit your campsite, no
matter how careful you are. Black Bears will rarely harm humans. The
following tips may help you minimize the possibility of negative
encounters with bears.
KEEP A CLEAN CAMP Bears have an excellent sense of smell and are
attracted by food odors. Dirty dishes and garbage (especially bacon
grease) may lure bears to your camp. Wash dishes immediately and dump
the water away from camp/cabin (at least 150 feet away from any lakes
or wetlands). Burn all food scraps, left over grease and garbage.
Unburnable garbage should be hung up with the rest of your food and
packed out when you leave. Don't dispose of food in the wilderness
latrines. Bears will still find it and may destroy the latrine in the
process. If possible dispose of your garbage every night in the camp’s
dumpster, located in the parking lot.
DO NOT STORE FOOD IN YOUR TENT This just invites bears to your
tent. When camping in the wilderness, hang your food pack high in the
trees when you leave your site or at night. Bears can reach up 10 feet,
so if you can reach the suspended pack, chances are a bear will be able
to swat it down with just a few good jumps. Remember that bears are also
very good tree climbers and will climb out on a branch and reach down,
or just climb the main trunk and reach out for your pack.
LEAVE YOUR TENT OPEN WHEN YOU LEAVE YOUR CAMPSITE Bears are
naturally curious and may want to look inside your tent. It's no problem
for bears if the tent is closed tight - they'll just make their own
opening. This does not apply to cabins!!
IF YOU SEE A BEAR ON THE TRAIL Keep calm and retreat slowly.
AVOID BEAR CUBS. Mother bear is usually very close. Mother bears are
not friendly. Normally, bears are afraid of you and will leave when
they see you.
If a bear follows you down a trail, get rid of those snacks you are
carrying. Toss all food by the side of the trail and keep on walking.
IF A BEAR ENTERS YOUR CAMPSITE, REMAIN CALM Bears are usually
easily scared away by yelling, waving and banging pans. Make sure the
bear has a clear escape route, and then yell, wave or rush to no
nearer than 20 feet from the bear.
When camping in bear country, food should not be cooked or stored in
sleeping quarters. Food and sweet smelling toiletries such as
toothpaste, perfume and deodorant should be hung in a canvas bag or
pack from a rope over a tree limb so the items are too far from the
ground, tree limb or tree trunk for a bear to reach.
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Last updated: June 30, 2010
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