Like to camp, however are afraid of bears? Don’t be!
Simply because there are bears within the space doesn’t imply you need to avoid the wilderness.
In reality, you’ll be able to have a protected journey, so long as you understand some issues about bears and their conduct.
Let’s dive in.
Perceive Bear Habits
So as to know how one can behave in bear nation, you have to perceive bear conduct first.
Bears are fairly predictable, so the extra you find out about them, the better you’ll be able to keep away from detrimental encounters.
Bears are solitary animals. In fact, that’s aside from a mama bear together with her cubs or a pair throughout the mating season.
Usually, bears are lively throughout hotter months, across the time the solar units and rises.
Throughout the mornings and afternoons, they like napping, so there’s a lot much less probability to fulfill them throughout this time.
Bears aren’t territorial except they’re defending cubs, their meals supply, or a possible mate.
So that 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 also be when lively bears within the space will head out to your campground or campsite to seek for meals.
When And Why Do Bears Assault?
Bears aren’t concerned with consuming people, or having any type 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.
However that doesn’t imply that bears go wild throughout summer season.
In reality, there’s roughly 40 bear assaults annually within the complete world, of which solely 10 occur in the US.
What’s not stunning is that the majority of them occur in Alaska, as that’s the state with the largest bear inhabitants.
Nonetheless, bear assaults are fairly uncommon, and deadly circumstances even rarer.
Statistically talking, just one or two such encounters finish with a fatality (fortunately).
So, to keep away from any sort of encounter with a bear, it’s greatest to go tenting throughout colder months, whereas bears are nonetheless hibernating of their dens.
Simply remember the fact that that is the time of the 12 months when cubs are born, so that you wish to keep away so far as doable from their “houses.”
Tenting in Bear Nation Security Suggestions
On condition that bears aren’t “after us,” you’ll be able to undoubtedly have a protected tenting journey in bear nation.
However there are a few issues you have to be certain that of.
Examine Your Campsite First
The very first thing you need to do once you arrive on the designated campsite is to examine it for indicators of latest 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 lifeless animal carcasses or at the least remnants of it.
However remember the fact that bears are omnivores – that means they are going to eat each plant and animals.
They’ll gladly feast on a moose or deer, however meat truly makes up not more than 30% of their eating regimen.
The remainder consists of roots, grass, berries, fish, bugs, larvae and fruit.
For that purpose, you additionally wish to keep away from locations surrounded by berry bushes and energetic grasses.
In case there’s a supply of contemporary water close by, that’s one other place the place the bears would possibly actively hunt for meals.
Camp Properly Away From Any Cowl for Bears
In unsure conditions, bears are very cautious.
They like touring alongside the sides of the wetland, proper across the first row of timber and bushes.
That approach, they’ll see the potential hazard or prey earlier than it sees them.
Curiously sufficient, bears stroll in the identical tracks as different bears that walked there earlier than them.
In consequence, their paws virtually get imprinted into the terrain and are seen for a very long time.
So there’s a reasonably good probability you’ll see the tracks in the event you’re in an space bears use as transit.
Keep away from establishing a camp close to a path and on the sting of a forest or wetland, as that is the place bears is likely to be discovered.
As a substitute, it’s greatest to camp in an open space.
And don’t assume that tenting close to a tree is supplying 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 you could use the tree as a hiding level in the event you can climb at the 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.
However there’s a decrease probability of 1 attacking you if you’re sleeping in a tent, fairly than and not using a shelter over your head.
In different phrases, a bear is unlikely to cost a tent, particularly if unsure what or who is likely to be inside.
In any case, 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 attempt taking a chew.
I’ve seen many campers preserving a knife shut always, permitting them to tear the tent open and exit rapidly.
In fact, the identical goes for bear spray, in addition to a flashlight that can assist you see what’s happening.
Maintain a Clear Camp
Whereas this could all the time be the case, it’s much more essential to maintain your camp clear and tidy when tenting in bear nation.
By this, I imply preserving your tent and sleeping space separated from the place you’re cooking or consuming.
Ideally, you need at the least 100 yards of distance.
However that’s not all. You must be certain that to eliminate any meals leftover or used packaging after you’re completed 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 is likely to be metallic packing containers designated for this objective.
On the subject of dishes, you need to all the time clear your pots and plates after you’re completed consuming.
You don’t wish to go away 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 least 3 miles away.
For those who’re tenting with a canine, by no means go away a bowl of pet food laying round for too lengthy.
Retailer Your Meals in a Bear-Resistant Meals Container
I’m certain you’ve heard of bear-resistant meals containers earlier than. These containers must move particular necessities to be thought-about bear-resistant.
This consists of being very sturdy, troublesome for a bear to open, and made of fabric that stops the odor from popping out.
Bears have an insanely sturdy sense of odor. It’s about 2100 occasions higher than ours, and at the least 7 occasions higher than a bloodhound’s.
Now, there are literally a number of different choices obtainable in relation to storing meals.
Bear Canister
That is virtually a smaller model of a bear container. It’s designed in such a approach that it makes it unattainable for the bear to open.
In lots of circumstances, 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 numerous sizes, however they’re typically appropriate for climbing and backpacking.
They will additionally double as a stool, which is sort of sensible.
Bear Bag
Bear luggage aren’t manufactured from powerful supplies like canisters and containers.
As a substitute, they use some sort of bulletproof cloth.
Some bear luggage is likely to be waterproof, however that’s not all the time the case. Additionally, they’re sometimes not odor-resistant.
As a substitute, you want an odor-proof plastic bag to place contained in the bear bag to forestall smells from popping out.
Tree or Pole-Hold Bag
Again within the day, when there have been no bear canisters obtainable, campers would hold 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 reality, you need to try this together with your bear luggage as effectively. You possibly can’t be too protected.
Needless to say you want about 35 ft of rope to tie a bag up there.
It needs to be at the least 10 ft off the bottom and about 4 ft away from the tree trunk.
That approach, the bear can’t attain it even when it climbs the tree.
Metallic Meals Locker
These are generally present in parks and campsites all through the bear nation.
They’re precisely what the title says they’re – a metallic storage field you could preserve your meals inside.
Usually manufactured from metal, these lockers are virtually indestructible by a bear.
Be Ready, Not Scared
If there’s even the smallest probability of coming throughout bears in your tenting journey, it’s essential to organize your self for such an encounter.
By this, I don’t imply practising karate 5 days per week – this received’t assist you to a lot anyway.
As a substitute, I imply studying what to do and how one can react.
Ideally, you wish to camp in a bunch. The extra individuals in your tenting group, the decrease the prospect of a bear coming shut.
You must speak loudly and make noise to look much more terrifying.
Whereas I actually hope you by no means expertise that, you need to all the time be ready for doable accidents.
Meaning at the least somebody in your group ought to know how one can deal with accidents and carry out fundamental first help.
In fact, that additionally means having a first help package shut at hand, with all of the necessities.
Moreover, you’ll want a cell phone, radio and satellite tv for pc telephone or every other technique of communication that might assist you to in such a state of affairs.
Maintain Pets Contained and Restrained
Irrespective of how well-behaved your canine could also be, you’ll be able to by no means predict how a detailed encounter with a wild animal will prove.
And naturally, you don’t wish to threat it. Not solely can your pet get damage, but in addition provoke the bear to assault you.
So even in the event you’re sitting across the campfire, you need to have your canine restrained and by your facet.
At evening, I’d undoubtedly suggest they sleep contained in the tent with you.
As I’ve already talked about, by no means go away pet food in a bowl for too lengthy.
After your canine companion is completed consuming, pack up leftovers and wash the bowl.
Don’t go away any treats or chews out within the open both.
Bear in mind to wash up after your pet as effectively.
Not simply because it’s the suitable factor to do in relation to Go away No Hint rules, however as a result of the scent can even entice bears.
Additionally See: Canine Tenting Suggestions
Maintain Bear Spray With You
When tenting in bear nation, preserving bear spray on you always is necessary.
Whether or not you’re cooking, utilizing the restroom or sleeping, you need to have it shut at hand.
Once you’re climbing 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.
Earlier than you even head out in your journey, get acquainted with the spray. Learn the directions and observe holding it.
Needless to say you get not more than 10 seconds of spraying time, so you have to know how one can use it successfully.
Additionally See: Does Bear Spray Work on Mountain Lions?
All the time Maintain Kids Shut
Earlier than you go on a tenting journey, inform your youngsters what to anticipate. Make the technique to deploy in case you encounter a bear.
Clarify to them that it’s essential they keep near you always.
Children 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.
Bear in mind to wash proper after each meal, totally.
If the bear wanders into your campsite, attempt preserving your youngsters calm and with out sudden motion.
Decide them up and information them into the automobile.
By no means Entice, Feed or Work together with Bears
Irrespective of how cute or peaceable they could seem, keep in mind that bears are wild animals.
And as such, they’re unpredictable. For that purpose, you wish to keep as far-off from them as doable.
That is particularly essential in the event you see bear cubs. In the event that they’re shut, then mama bear is simply too.
And she or he received’t be very pleasant when she sees you round her infants.
You shouldn’t feed bears both. First, it could make them depending on human meals. And that can lead to them attacking individuals.
Now, that’s not a state of affairs that ends effectively for both facet.
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.
Go away No Hint
You must observe the Go away No Hint rules each time you’re out within the wilderness.
However that is much more essential once you’re out within the bear nation.
This implies packing every little thing after you. Each meals scrap, wrapper, plate, container… Each on the desk and on the bottom.
And that’s not only for meals, however drinks as effectively. Spilling half a can of Coke can even entice bears.
It’s candy and fragrant!
If A Bear Enters Your Campsite
What if…?
Properly, it’s important to be ready for something. Right here’s what you need to do in case a bear enters the campsite.
1. Do Not Run
Don’t for a second assume you could outrun a bear.
Whereas these animals would possibly look chubby and sluggish, they’ll run as much as 35 miles per hour! Even Usain Bolt can’t high that file.
As a substitute of operating, attempt slowly backing away. Don’t make any sudden actions, simply attempt growing the hole between you.
2. Increase Your Arms to Look Bigger
Whereas this may not scare away a grizzly, it could undoubtedly work with black bears.
These bears are a lot smaller, so by elevating your arms, you’ll be able to look like bigger than them.
This will usually be sufficient to discourage them from attacking.
3. Seize a Lengthy, Sturdy Stick for Protection
Swaying round with an extended stick can even scare away a black bear.
4. Make loud noises
Strive making loud noises on the identical time, to appear extra harmful.
Even simply shouting on the bear to “go dwelling” or “get out of right here,” clapping, banging pans – something you are able to do to make noise will even possible scare the bear away.
If a Bear Assaults You
In case you startle a bear, it might assault you. I do know you’ve in all probability heard about the entire “play lifeless” technique.
However that solely works with grizzly bears. This man is simply too powerful to beat one on one, so enjoying lifeless is your greatest probability.
But when a black bear assaults, you need to strike again.
In fact, 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.
For those who had a face-to-face battle with a bear, it’s essential 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 a detailed distance from a particular place, it’s greatest to keep away from that spot.
Bears aren’t territorial, however will defend their den.
What number of bear assaults are there annually?
Bear assaults are rarer than most individuals assume, and deadly circumstances even rarer.
There’s roughly about 40 brown bear assault around the globe 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 energy it doesn’t take a lot for them to slice via the delicate tent materials.
Nevertheless, bears are unlikely to aim to get into your tent except they’re attracted by the scent of meals or toiletries. For that reason, 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.
So long as you observe our ideas, you need to have a protected tenting expertise.
What to do if a grizzly bear is outdoors your tent?
Whereas preserving bear spray prepared, activate a flashlight or lantern.
If the grizzly tries getting 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, however, will preserve them away.
So take pleasure in your time tenting, sing and chortle together with your companions.
To Sum Issues Up
Tenting in bear nation doesn’t must be dangerous.
So long as you’re following our pointers, you need to have a protected and satisfying journey.
Bear in mind, bear sprays and containers are a should in a bear nation. They could be a life saver, and why threat it?
