Love to camp, however are afraid of bears? Don’t be!
Just as a result of there are bears within the space doesn’t imply you must steer clear of the wilderness.
In truth, you possibly can have a protected journey, so long as you already know some issues about bears and their habits.
Let’s dive in.
Understand Bear Behavior
In order to know how one can behave in bear nation, it’s worthwhile to perceive bear habits first.
Bears are fairly predictable, so the extra you find out about them, the better you possibly can keep away from detrimental encounters.
Bears are solitary animals. Of course, that’s except for a mama bear along with her cubs or a pair through the mating season.
Typically, bears are lively throughout hotter months, across the time the solar units and rises.
During the mornings and afternoons, they like napping, so there’s a lot much less likelihood to satisfy them throughout this time.
Bears aren’t territorial except they’re defending cubs, their meals supply, or a possible mate.
So you received’t see them patrolling round and defending their area.
And in areas populated with individuals, a bear will sometimes come out at evening to keep away from encounters.
That can be when lively bears within the space will head out to your campground or campsite to seek for meals.
When And Why Do Bears Attack?
Bears aren’t fascinated by consuming people, or having any form of shut encounter for that matter.
In actuality, most bear assaults are defensive assaults. A bear will cost at a human if it feels threatened or is defending its cubs or meals.
And naturally, most bear assaults occur throughout hotter months, when these animals are most lively.
But that doesn’t imply that bears go wild throughout summer season.
In truth, there’s roughly 40 bear assaults annually within the complete world, of which solely 10 occur within the United States.
What’s not stunning is that almost all of them occur in Alaska, as that’s the state with the largest bear inhabitants.
Still, bear assaults are relatively uncommon, and deadly instances even rarer.
Statistically talking, just one or two such encounters finish with a fatality (fortunately).
So, to keep away from any kind of encounter with a bear, it’s finest to go tenting throughout colder months, whereas bears are nonetheless hibernating of their dens.
Just remember that that is the time of the yr when cubs are born, so that you wish to keep away so far as potential from their “homes.”
Camping in Bear Country Safety Tips
Given that bears aren’t “after us,” you possibly can undoubtedly have a protected tenting journey in bear nation.
But there are a few issues it’s worthwhile to ensure that of.
Inspect Your Campsite First
The very first thing you must do once you arrive on the designated campsite is to examine it for indicators of current bear exercise.
Bear tracks and scats, in addition to scratched timber and logs, are clear indicators {that a} bear was there not way back.
You may also encounter useless animal carcasses or at the very least remnants of it.
But remember that bears are omnivores – which means they are going to eat each plant and animals.
They’ll gladly feast on a moose or deer, however meat really makes up not more than 30% of their food plan.
The relaxation consists of roots, grass, berries, fish, bugs, larvae and fruit.
For that motive, you additionally wish to keep away from locations surrounded by berry bushes and full of life grasses.
In case there’s a supply of recent water close by, that’s one other place the place the bears would possibly actively hunt for meals.
Camp Well Away From Any Cover for Bears
In unsure conditions, bears are very cautious.
They choose touring alongside the sides of the wetland, proper across the first row of timber and bushes.
That means, they will see the potential hazard or prey earlier than it sees them.
Interestingly sufficient, bears stroll in the identical tracks as different bears that walked there earlier than them.
As a consequence, their paws virtually get imprinted into the terrain and are seen for a very long time.
So there’s a reasonably good likelihood you’ll see the tracks when you’re in an space bears use as transit.
Avoid establishing a camp close to a path and on the sting of a forest or wetland, as that is the place bears may be discovered.
Instead, it’s finest to camp in an open space.
And don’t assume that tenting close to a tree is providing you with an escape level in case of an encounter:
Black bears are nice climbers – in all probability higher than you.
The grizzly bear isn’t that good of a climber, and chances are you’ll use the tree as a hiding level when you can climb at the very least 20 ft excessive.
Sleep in a Tent
To make one factor completely clear – a tent received’t give you a protected house away from bears.
But there’s a decrease likelihood of 1 attacking you if you’re sleeping in a tent, relatively than with no shelter over your head.
In different phrases, a bear is unlikely to cost a tent, particularly if unsure what or who may be inside.
After all, they solely assault when feeling threatened.
With that being stated, you don’t wish to sleep together with your physique touching the partitions of the tent.
You by no means know when a bear would possibly come close to to smell the tent and even strive taking a chunk.
I’ve seen many campers protecting a knife shut always, permitting them to tear the tent open and exit shortly.
Of course, the identical goes for bear spray, in addition to a flashlight that will help you see what’s occurring.
Keep a Clean Camp
While this could all the time be the case, it’s much more vital to maintain your camp clear and tidy when tenting in bear nation.
By this, I imply protecting your tent and sleeping space separated from the place you’re cooking or consuming.
Ideally, you need at the very least 100 yards of distance.
But that’s not all. You ought to ensure that to do away with any meals leftover or used packaging after you’re executed cooking.
These are all scrumptious issues a bear would feast on.
As for what to do with leftovers, one factor you are able to do is retailer them in sealable plastic luggage, after which right into a bear canister.
In campgrounds, there may be steel containers designated for this objective.
When it involves dishes, you must all the time clear your pots and plates after you’re executed consuming.
You don’t wish to depart different scented stuff laying round both, together with your toothpaste, bug repellent and even sunscreen.
With such a sturdy sense of odor (2,100 occasions human odor), bears can catch whiffs at the very least 3 miles away.
If you’re tenting with a canine, by no means depart a bowl of pet food laying round for too lengthy.
Store Your Food in a Bear-Resistant Food Container
I’m positive you’ve heard of bear-resistant meals containers earlier than. These containers must cross particular necessities to be thought-about bear-resistant.
This contains being very sturdy, tough for a bear to open, and made of fabric that forestalls the odor from popping out.
Bears have an insanely sturdy sense of odor. It’s about 2100 occasions higher than ours, and at the very least 7 occasions higher than a bloodhound’s.
Now, there are literally a couple of different choices accessible relating to storing meals.
Bear Canister
This is virtually a smaller model of a bear container. It is designed in such a means that it makes it unimaginable for the bear to open.
In many instances, it requires the utilization of a coin or a screwdriver to open.
They seal hermetically, so that you don’t have to fret about smells popping out.
Bear canisters come in several sizes, however they’re typically appropriate for mountaineering and backpacking.
They may double as a stool, which is kind of sensible.
Bear Bag
Bear luggage aren’t made from powerful supplies like canisters and containers.
Instead, they use some kind of bulletproof material.
Some bear luggage may be waterproof, however that’s not all the time the case. Also, they’re sometimes not odor-resistant.
Instead, you want an odor-proof plastic bag to place contained in the bear bag to stop smells from popping out.
Tree or Pole-Hang Bag
Back within the day, when there have been no bear canisters accessible, campers would cling their stuff on the tree, excessive up there the place the bear can’t attain it.
And that’s the tactic that also works. In truth, you must do this together with your bear luggage as effectively. You can’t be too protected.
Keep in thoughts that you just want about 35 ft of rope to tie a bag up there.
It needs to be at the very least 10 ft off the bottom and about 4 ft away from the tree trunk.
That means, the bear can’t attain it even when it climbs the tree.
Metal Food Locker
These are generally present in parks and campsites all through the bear nation.
They’re precisely what the title says they’re – a steel storage field that you would be able to preserve your meals inside.
Typically made from metal, these lockers are virtually indestructible by a bear.
Be Prepared, Not Scared
If there’s even the smallest likelihood of coming throughout bears in your tenting journey, it’s vital to organize your self for such an encounter.
By this, I don’t imply working towards karate 5 days per week – this received’t make it easier to a lot anyway.
Instead, I imply studying what to do and how one can react.
Ideally, you wish to camp in a gaggle. The extra individuals in your tenting group, the decrease the prospect of a bear coming shut.
You ought to speak loudly and make noise to seem much more terrifying.
While I actually hope you by no means expertise that, you must all the time be ready for potential accidents.
That means at the very least somebody in your group ought to know how one can deal with accidents and carry out primary first assist.
Of course, that additionally means having a first assist package shut at hand, with all of the necessities.
Furthermore, you’ll want a cell phone, radio and satellite tv for pc telephone or some other technique of communication that might make it easier to in such a scenario.
Keep Pets Contained and Restrained
No matter how well-behaved your canine could also be, you possibly can by no means predict how an in depth encounter with a wild animal will prove.
And in fact, you don’t wish to danger it. Not solely can your pet get damage, but in addition provoke the bear to assault you.
So even when you’re sitting across the campfire, you must have your canine restrained and by your aspect.
At evening, I’d undoubtedly advocate they sleep contained in the tent with you.
As I’ve already talked about, by no means depart pet food in a bowl for too lengthy.
After your canine companion is finished consuming, pack up leftovers and wash the bowl.
Don’t depart any treats or chews out within the open both.
Remember to wash up after your pet as effectively.
Not simply because it’s the proper factor to do relating to Leave No Trace ideas, however as a result of the scent may entice bears.
Also See: Dog Camping Tips
Keep Bear Spray With You
When tenting in bear nation, protecting bear spray on you always is obligatory.
Whether you’re cooking, utilizing the restroom or sleeping, you must have it shut at hand.
When you’re mountaineering or exploring the environment, be sure to put on it in a holster.
You don’t need it within the backpack and even within the pocket. Bears are insanely quick, and also you don’t have that a lot time to seek for it.
Before you even head out to your journey, get acquainted with the spray. Read the directions and follow holding it.
Keep in thoughts that you just get not more than 10 seconds of spraying time, so it’s worthwhile to know how one can use it successfully.
Also See: Does Bear Spray Work on Mountain Lions?
Always Keep Children Close
Before you go on a tenting journey, inform your children what to anticipate. Make the technique to deploy in case you encounter a bear.
Explain to them that it’s vital they keep near you always.
Kids could make fairly a multitude when consuming.
Crumbles all around the floor, spilled ketchup and tons of meals leftovers, are all issues that may entice bears.
Remember to wash proper after each meal, completely.
If the bear wanders into your campsite, strive protecting your children calm and with out sudden motion.
Pick them up and information them into the automotive.
Never Entice, Feed or Interact with Bears
No matter how cute or peaceable they could seem, keep in mind that bears are wild animals.
And as such, they’re unpredictable. For that motive, you wish to keep as distant from them as potential.
This is particularly vital when you see bear cubs. If they’re shut, then mama bear is simply too.
And she received’t be very pleasant when she sees you round her infants.
You shouldn’t feed bears both. First, it could actually make them depending on human meals. And that can lead to them attacking individuals.
Now, that’s not a situation that ends effectively for both aspect.
And second, as a result of they’re not used to human meals. It’s just too sturdy for them, which may trigger digestive points and different well being issues.
Leave No Trace
You ought to comply with the Leave No Trace ideas each time you’re out within the wilderness.
But that is much more vital once you’re out within the bear nation.
This means packing the whole lot after you. Every meals scrap, wrapper, plate, container… Both on the desk and on the bottom.
And that’s not only for meals, however drinks as effectively. Spilling half a can of Coke may entice bears.
It’s candy and fragrant!
If A Bear Enters Your Campsite
What if…?
Well, it’s a must to be ready for something. Here’s what you must do in case a bear enters the campsite.
1. Do Not Run
Don’t for a second assume that you would be able to outrun a bear.
While these animals would possibly look chubby and sluggish, they will run as much as 35 miles per hour! Even Usain Bolt can’t high that report.
Instead of working, strive slowly backing away. Don’t make any sudden actions, simply strive rising the hole between you.
2. Raise Your Arms to Look Larger
While this won’t scare away a grizzly, it could actually undoubtedly work with black bears.
These bears are a lot smaller, so by elevating your arms, you possibly can seem like bigger than them.
This can usually be sufficient to discourage them from attacking.
3. Grab a Long, Sturdy Stick for Defense
Swaying round with an extended stick may scare away a black bear.
4. Make loud noises
Try making loud noises on the identical time, to appear extra harmful.
Even simply shouting on the bear to “go home” or “get out of here,” clapping, banging pans – something you are able to do to make noise may even doubtless scare the bear away.
If a Bear Attacks You
In case you startle a bear, it might assault you. I do know you’ve in all probability heard about the entire “play dead” technique.
But that solely works with grizzly bears. This man is simply too powerful to beat one on one, so enjoying useless is your finest likelihood.
But if a black bear assaults, you must strike again.
Of course, that is given that you just’ve already used up bear spray fees and didn’t handle to discourage the bear.
In that case, seize sticks or stones laying round and punch the bear within the eyes and nostril.
If you had a face-to-face battle with a bear, it’s vital that you just report the assault to native authorities.
If there’s an aggressive bear wandering round, individuals needs to be cautious of the hazard.
Faqs
Is it protected to camp round bears?
If there are indicators of bear exercise at an in depth distance from a selected place, it’s finest to keep away from that spot.
Bears aren’t territorial, however will defend their den.
How many bear assaults are there annually?
Bear assaults are rarer than most individuals assume, and deadly instances even rarer.
There’s roughly about 40 brown bear assault all over the world annually, and about ¼ of them occur within the US.
The state with most bear assaults is Alaska, which accounts for 29.6% of all deadly bear assaults within the nation.
Can a bear get right into a tent?
Bears can get into tents pretty simply. With their sharp claws and brute power it doesn’t take a lot for them to slice by way of the gentle tent materials.
However, bears are unlikely to aim to get into your tent except they’re attracted by the scent of meals or toiletries. For this motive, something that has ANY scent, even deodorant or toothpaste needs to be locked away in a bear protected canister.
Is it protected to camp in Yellowstone with bears?
Bears can usually be seen in Yellowstone, however that doesn’t imply tenting on this park is essentially harmful.
As lengthy as you comply with our suggestions, you must have a protected tenting expertise.
What to do if a grizzly bear is outdoors your tent?
While protecting bear spray prepared, activate a flashlight or lantern.
If the grizzly tries coming into the tent, be able to combat again and yell. This has usually efficiently pushed the bears away.
Do campfires preserve bears away?
The campfire itself received’t deter bears. Loud noise, then again, will preserve them away.
So take pleasure in your time tenting, sing and snort together with your companions.
To Sum Things Up
Camping in bear nation doesn’t must be dangerous.
As lengthy as you’re following our tips, you must have a protected and pleasant journey.
Remember, bear sprays and containers are a should in a bear nation. They is usually a life saver, and why danger it?