One popular method to make noise is to whistle or sing while you walk. The Pros and Cons of Hiking Alone I have gone on seven National Park adventures in the west (and a few shorter ones out east). While hiking in bear country it’s best to make lots of noise; talk loudly, sing loudly and clap your hands or give a “Hey, Bear!” at regular intervals. A male grizzly can stand up to seven feet tall and weigh anywhere from 350 to 800 lbs. While camping rain can be obnoxious, it teaches most campers and outdoor enthusiasts to be more careful and wiser with their decisions when it comes to investing in camping gear. The Forest Service recommends keeping dogs on a leash in areas where bears have been sighted. Black bears. RVs, Camping, and Bears go hand-in-hand. When visiting the park you may spot a bear any where (while hiking, camping, on a nature walk, or simply walking between your car and a lodge or restaurant). BEARS SEEN WHEN HIKING OR CAMPING. If you do not plan in advance, it is easy to get trapped. Wasps and snakes, and even bears, could become an issue during your camping, depending on where you are. Yep I said it, bear spray. Where and How to (Safely) Bear Watch in Alaska Attacks à la Revenant are a statistical blip. Black bears can live 25 years or more in the wild. Black bear safety at your campsite. Securing the campfire and the tent is only the start. When hiking or backpacking in an area inhabited by black bears or grizzlies, there are precautions you can take so you’re less likely to have a bear encounter and you’ll be prepared to act if you do have one. Leave the marshmallows at home and use those roasting sticks to cook up biscuit dough to make this dessert. Campers should be mindful of safety while camping and hiking, as bears and mountain lions are common in the area. If there are any droppings or foot prints you may want move to another campsite. According to a Facebook post from Missoula Bears, bear activity has been increasing in the Grant Creek, Blue Mountain, the Rattlesnake, East Missoula, the Bitterroot, Georgetown Lake and Anaconda, Seeley Lake and Huson areas. We have a solution on how to DIY portable toilets while camping here. Pack away all trash and do not bury your garbage. You should always have a well-stocked first aid kit on any camping trip, but lugging one around on short jaunts away from the campsite is a little cumbersome. Bears - Any bear you encounter in Big Bear Lake will be a black bear and like rattlesnakes, they tend to avoid humans. As an example, springtime here means that the waterfalls are flowing, the meadows are turning green, the wildflowers are blooming and the wildlife is becoming active -- including Yosemite's black bears. Hanging food is a great start, I hang mine in Bear Sack but know others who use a Bear Can equally well. Mainly black bears, which are the smaller, less dangerous bears, but you should still enact preventative measures by tieing up your food at night and by putting and leftovers in a hole away from your tent. Rules for RVing in Bear Country. But don’t worry. a) Play dead. When packing, use airtight containers or double-layer plastic bags to contain any fragrances. If bears are observed in the area feeders should be immediately removed. There are nine lodges inside the park, of which two (Old Faithful Snow Lodge and Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel) are open year-round, while the others close from late-fall to early-spring. Camping gear to borrow To learn what to borrow for your first camping trip, I spoke to Kristi Bray of Recreation.gov , the website for … When camping, keep your food away from the camp in bear-proof containers and stored in your vehicle. Hang feeders at least 10 feet off the ground and at least 5 feet from any surface that can support a bear. bears. This is often enough to deter smaller animals from trying to get at your food. Five easy camping meals. Also, black bears are much less aggressive than grizzlies and polar bears. Mountain lions live anywhere and everywhere there is prey, with the greatest concentration in the western half of the USA and Canada. While the majority of their living range is Alaska and Northwestern Canada, they are also found in small areas of the lower 48 states, including: Northwestern Montana, Yellowstone National Park, Northern Utah and a very small section of Northwestern Washington. While I love to read stories of young guns defending themselves and others against bears, I have no inflated ideas that I’d be able to … Most of them come with an opener attached, while some even have bottle openers you’ll need for your beer. All food and food-related items should be stored at campsites in a hard-sided bear-resistant canister, or in the trunk of a vehicle, except … YOSEMITE BEAR INFORMATION The changing seasons bring new beauty and new challenges to the park. Food should be fine locked in the cars, too bad a bear had to lose its life over carelessness though. Obviously, grizzly bears are in an entirely different class than black bears. 5. Car Camping Gives You More Options. You should also avoid cooking directly on the campsite's grill. Bears are creatures of routine, when you find a spot that tends to lack bears, you'll probably be okay. However, bears are incredibly intelligent animals … Air horns make a lot of noise in case of trouble and also frighten away animals like bears and tigers, etc. Brown Bears. I haven’t had to worry about bears on a camping trip since I adopted Wiley. Black bears roam much of North America’s best camping destinations and national parks. Bears have an excellent sense of smell. While many people worry and become fearful of entering bear country, it’s important to remember that bears generally avoid people. Having a reliable navigation system should be included on this list. The Appalachian Trail Conservancy recommends hikers to use a bear can from Springer Mountain, to Damascus. Give them all the details. Wolves attacking people while they sleep is probably very rare, but they do scavenge things from campsites … A fatal bear attack near Yellowstone National Park has hikers feeling just a little squeamish about upcoming camping trips. Bears are your biggest concern if you’re camping in regions of the country that play host to them. Most bears will avoid the encounter if they know a human is in the area. There are several in the Valley and where backpackers will often spend the night. While some states require that "natural foods" be used, it is not uncommon for bear baiters to use bacon grease, jellied donuts, tuna fish and cat and dog food,. The number one reason for conflict, (95% of the calls to offices) are the result of irresponsibility on the part of people: Access to trash, pet food, bird feeders, and improper storage of food while camping make up the majority of the calls. From 2007 up to 2013, national parks were visited by almost 1.9 billion people of which five were killed due to accidental use of a gun and four by the attack of bears. Bears in natural settings normally leave an area once they have sensed a human. Get the recipe here! Don’t worry about meeting a bear in the woods, but you should probably brush up on the proper etiquette, just in case. Bears on the Appalachian Trail. “Don’t worry about bears.” I’m in an area where there are not active bears, or I’m doing dispersed camping away from campsites where bears would check for food. If you choose to use wet-wipes, make sure to get the non-scented kind, so you don’t have to worry about putting it in your bear canister at night if you are in bear country. Frankly, in areas that receive high human use, especially if those people aren’t hanging food properly, black bears tend to start recognizing that people bring food with them; while areas with lower human use and/or where good food-storage practices are commonly followed, bears seem to be rarely a problem. Your bear canister or hanging food should then be at least 100 yards from both your campsite and your kitchen area. An Alaska expert outlines the dos and don’ts of sharing wilderness with the state’s 133,000 bears Below is a map to bear boxes. Silk liners are really meant to keep keep your bag clean and aren’t designed to actually keep you warm. Other less obvious differences include claws, facial … It could have food residue from previous campers. It’s not just food you should worry about. You should also keep all of your food, as well as other fragrant items like deodorant and insect repellent, in a bear-proof or airtight container to mask the smell and keep bears out. REPORT PROBLEM BEARS. While these animals can be dangerous, they aren’t the real threats you’d have to worry about in a wilderness survival situation. Luckily, there are some pretty … While camping, hiking and biking are popular activities, if you really want to connect with nature and get away from your day-to-day, there’s nothing like backcountry camping and backpacking. Camping is an activity that is both fun and easy to pursue. worry that a bear might come prowling around later that night. Car campers really don’t have to worry about weight so they have lots of options. When hiking alone, safety items become the most important items along the way. Camping is the best way to find yourself and fall in love with the outdoors … and one another. A food bag hung up high off the ground. Fortunately, you can use a variety of tactics to stay clean, healthy, and enjoy your outdoor excursion, whether you're car camping in one location or backpacking through the wilderness. Hand feeding, or getting close to bears is not an option and we must be intentional about keeping a safe and respectful distance of bears. Camping is fantastic, and you get to have a lot of fun. Park regulations require at least 50 yards to safely view a bear. They will go in, even if the tent is not open. Hang the food between 2 trees at least 15 feet above the ground and 10 feet from a tree trunk. All food should be properly stored and other scented items placed in … While black bears are usually tolerant of humans, they should always be treated as wild animals, whether in residential or back-country areas. Understanding bears and using a bit of commonsense can protect you against a negative bear encounter. To avoid any of these desirable situations, you need to properly dispose of human waste. Grabbing the right pair of camping boots is a dire necessity. Especially bears. While I haven’t ever encountered a mountain lion on the trail, I have seen plenty of signs of their presence. The crítters are more scared of you than you should be of them. While paddling, expect to average about 3 mph. Cinnamon and sugar combine in a dessert that’s fun to make over the campfire. The last time someone was killed by a black bear in New Hampshire was 1784. To keep bears away while you're camping, try to eat canned or dried food since fresh food is more fragrant and likely to attract a hungry bear. If a bear continues to visit your campsite, notify a game warden or the National Forest Service so they can keep track of the bear and have it … They’re in the deserts, they’re in … In fact, bears can detect smells over a mile away. If you want to avoid problems for yourself and the bears, make sure there’s nothing to attract bears to your camp. While I haven’t ever encountered a mountain lion on the trail, I have seen plenty of signs of their presence. In most ways, camping in Yellowstone is a lot like camping in any other National Park. I did however have a problem with mice getting into my food while it was hung on the bear wires. Which means…no feeding, no petting, and no selfies. ORLANDO, Fla. — There was once a time when camping conjured up images of trudging through the backcountry, backpacks slung over tired shoulders while keeping eyes peeled for bears… When I go hiking I always make a batch of beef jerky. Most camp sites west of 1-25 are in bear country. If you’re in an area where you don’t have to worry about bears, you can afford to bring in supplies for some delicious, easy camping meals. Your backup campground should be less popular than your first choice. I have heard people keeping fires going through the night too but this is probably overkill. But if you are worried enough that it could take enjoyment out of the trip you could always get a can of bear spray to put your mind at ease. With that said, I’m here to provide you with some solid camping advice on how to … To keep your campsite safe from the intrusion of hungry bears, form a "triangle of safety" at every campsite you set up in bear country. Usually, black bears avoid people and majority of people do not even know when they have come closer to bears. The trail is just very crowded and bears are likely to hang around camping areas. While most bears do their best to avoid the people traipsing around their back yard, every time you embark on an adventure into bear country you’re opening the door for a bear encounter. We promise it will become a new campfire favorite. Here’s a list of items you should put in either a raised “bear bag” or bear-proof container while camping. For wilderness camping, Yosemite does have rules for wash water: Do all washing at least 100 feet from water. If you absolutely can’t go without deodorant while camping, I’d recommend an unscented baking soda variety. Should I worry about bears? Camping is a common way for people and their dogs to get away from the stressors of life and relax in the great outdoors. Bears. Do not keep any food or toothpaste inside your tent. Pre-Plan Your Trip. Usually, the only time a black bear will attack is if it is a mother bear protecting her cubs. Solo camping isn’t for beginners. I traveled with my wife twice, a friend twice, and by myself three times. Deodorant, lotions, toothpaste and other scented products can all attract bears and wild animals. A typical female black bear weighs 120 to 150 pounds, while an average male is 180 to 300 pounds. If you’re planning on sleeping in a tent , try to get one in a natural shade of green. NO absolutely NO food or gum, or anything else eatable in a tent!!! Keep your food in a cooler and locked in your car, or hang non-perishables in a bear bag, at least 100 yards from where you’re camping. But, to be prepared, there are two different types of responses you should have based on bear-type. Many people think that the biggest threat in the wilderness comes from bears, wolves, and other big wild animals. If camping in national forest or parks, check with the ranger's office for any bear advisories. I believe, it’s better to look at the crimes statistics in this case. Do not shout, stress out, and/or get angry, because that won’t help you one bit. Take these easy precautions. Bring a knife, a GPS locator, a torch and an air horn with you for the hike. The banded desert centipede tends to dine more frequently on insects, lizards, and small rodents but they do give a very painful sting followed by swelling when they defend themselves from a potential predator, i.e., you. About 1,500 black bears make the Smoky Mountains their home, and you should be knowledgeable about bear behavior, how to camp in bear country, and what to do in case of an encounter. Besides, you’re camping after all, and the sooner you accept your own natural musk, the better a time you’ll have. yahoo.com - A 39-year-old woman has been killed in an apparent bear attack, while she was walking her dogs. With black bears, you don’t expect an explosive response—but there were a few bears that reacted like, “Bring it on, little man.” Good stuff to know. The first thing is to relax. Obviously, you will not have a designated place where to dispose of the plastic bags. Black bears are Utah’s largest predators. When camping it’s a good idea to lay off these types of products, and NEVER leave these products open or stored inside your tent. These, in my opinion, are the pros… The fear of people with guns is a controversial issue. Be careful with fire. In Kenai Fjords, we worked with black bears, and we were able to figure out at what distance—75 yards—people disrupted or displaced them. Be Bear Aware Let us start by saying that most bears that you encounter in California are going to avoid people. You will end up picking plastic and paper plates. Yes there are bears near there, there are bears from Canada all the way down to Missouri. They don't tolerate bears that behave that way because they're a risk to people's safety. Except for the bears… and a few other things. Whenever you are keeping in an area with bears, then you have to be careful. Realistically, though, it’s the mundane stuff you really should worry about. Bears are naturally curious and want to know what is in your tent. There have been issues with bears in the past, so this regulation is to protect the bears and the hikers. Keep Yourself Armed While Camping in Bear Country I don't mean with a shotgun or dynamite, but having a few choice tools near you just in case a bear decides to visit can save your life. The best camping site will be an off-grid location situated in a remote area. Black bears. There are certainly advantages to each method of travel. If a bear learns that easy food can be found at a campsite, the bear will quickly become a "nuisance bear". Bears climb trees and the larger ones have a long reach. Black Bears: Grizzly Bears: Colour: Despite their name, black bears can be blond, cinnamon, brown or even black in colour. A grizzly bear has a large hump of muscle on its shoulder bone that … Click Here for the Seven Rules for Camping Around Bears. I’ve got you covered with some extra precautions that you can take to make sure that the bears don’t come breaking in. Usually, black bears avoid people and majority of people do not even know when they have come closer to bears. Many of the parks in California have sensitive wildlife, or bears–bears accustomed to human food is a huge problem in California, so any dishwater can make that problem worse. However, as … Montana residents are reporting both black bear and grizzly bear sightings throughout the western part of the state. While out in the wilderness, people often worry about bears getting a hold of any food they brought in, however, bears are not the only animals that want some of your delicious grub. There won’t be anyone around to help shoulder the load, so you should be good with all the standard camping skills (pitching a tent, building a fire, navigation) and then some (wildlife and plant know-how, basic first-aid training, MacGuyver-like … BEAR-FREE, WORRY-FREE CAMPING Easy ways to ensure that black bears and grizzlies stay away Yellowstone Campground Rules and Tips. All it will give you is a bad camping experience – one you won’t want to take ever again. Bears are more active at dawn and dusk but can be seen any time of day or night. The largest male on record weighed 880 pounds. You will need to take all of the same and necessary steps that you would anywhere when camping in bear country, and Killbear Provincial park is no different. There might be bears near your campsite. For approaches, wear boots and gaiters, carry a music supply on your phone, or such And a camera. They are smaller and less aggressive than the Grizzly but still can be 400 to 500 pounds. When humans enter bear country, our status of being on the top of the food chain changes. I wouldn't worry about the bears. If bears regularly (or even occasionally) obtain human food where you are camping, carry a hard-sided canister even if it’s not required. Generally if you’re hiking and you don’t see any bear warning signs and there is no mention of bears when looking at … The holidays are right on a camping adventure. Dogs should drink about an ounce of water per pound of body weight in a day in ordinary circumstances, so bring plenty more when camping. Stand near a fire so that your cloths smell, or smoke something. The bag should be at least 10 feet off the ground and 4 feet away from the tree. While camping, one should equip with the appropriate gear. If you see a bear, enjoy it from a distance. 3) Where should I stay around Yellowstone? Some think it increases crimes, while others believe it gives them the chance to protect themselves and their families. You've probably heard the saying, "A fed bear is a dead bear." Bears may opportunistically seek food in human-occupied areas when natural foods are scarce. That’s one less thing you have to worry about remembering to pack. They say that because 99% of the time, bears that get hand outs or find human food end up getting put … Never leave food out when not in use, and cook at least 100 feet away from camp, downwind. Keeping Bears and People Separated. You see, by harassing wildlife, dogs actually serve an important function in safeguarding it. Bears are magnificent creatures and it can be exciting to see one—from an appropriate distance. Bears on Yellowstone Trails. Some hikers wear bells or carry clanging pots and pans outside their pack. Learning from simple mistakes and improving your techniques on how to stay dry while having fun outdoors is … Write down or send an email letting them know which trailhead you will start and finish from, where you plan to camp, and when you will notify them upon return to town, and when they should start to worry. Bears. Bears will defend a food source: this may include a cache of berries, fish, or carrion (dead animals). "Bears should never be allowed access to human food or ... the ODFW says not to feed wolves or other animals they wish to prey upon and recommends keeping all food secure while camping… Links to Lake Allatoona Campgrounds. Wear Deet, spray your cloths with Raid or the like, 'cause it is the Tics you should be most worried about. They can also cause a lot of stress and worry. Also, the clothes you wore while cooking should stay at the separate (cooking) camp as well. Hard Sided Pop Ups Are Better Insulated According to The American Bear Association, bears can remember food sources for many years.Once a bear has broken into an RV for food, they’ll consider other RVs as giant lunch boxes. The woman's boyfriend returned to their home in … ... Coyote, hawks, bears, wolves, and others could track, snatch, and kill your dog. Yosemite NP is beautiful and everybody should visit it, but that is not all there is in the Sierra. Let me just say… I’m an old fart and my reaction time isn’t what it used to be. You should make reservations for camping as far in advance as possible. 1. Knowing the right method to keep away bears will help you have a peaceful camping experience. The best way in preventing unpleasant black bear encounter is to get rid of them. Camping in Bear Country. yahoo.com - A 39-year-old woman has been killed in an apparent bear attack, while she was walking her dogs. All campers should carry their own durable, refillable water bottle so they have easy access while hiking on trails. Every once in a while, ... to worry about grizzly bears. But just in case you do, follow these key guidelines: Remain calm; Do Not Run! Bear Safety While Hiking. Give them an exact date and time when they should call for help if you fail to contact them. You shouldn’t worry about bears on popular trails. Nor is there any reason for bears to be able to approach your camp at night. Yellowstone National Park Camping, Safety & Packing Tips. In a case like that common sense tells me to step back and take a look at the big picture. Making noise while hiking is the best way to avoid surprising bears along the trail. First Aid. While car camping, plan to keep all of your food secured in your car—whether you’re trekking to the outhouse or curling up in your sleeping bag for the night. Don’t worry, no wildlife will be harmed in the making of this recipe. They will seek out food, though, so please do not leave food, food containers (even sealed), or food trash in your car or on your cabin deck. Personally, I typically just throw on a pair of sweatpants or pjs that I’m comfortable wearing around camp. To hunt bear in Washington, you must purchase a big-game license that includes bear. Next, you need to pay attention to your own safety during camping. Worried about wolves and bears? Instead, cook over a campfire or bring your own propane camping stove or burner. … I almost stepped on one of these last summer when walking in the dark with the dimmest flashlight in the world. Black bears are capable of killing people, but it is an extremely rare occurrence. Singing and clapping can also be effective methods. Here are some things you should do to prepare for it: Before you unpack your gear, look around your campsite for signs of bears. There’s loads of interior and exterior storage, and tons of add on options should you be looking for a classic travel trailer with a bit more oomph. Yes. The #1 rule for camping in the North East (black bears); is put all food, snacks, etc., in a bear bag and hang it high! It's rare that you should encounter a bear. Bears follow their noses to their next meal, so naturally, any trash (especially trash that contains any traces of food odor) is an invite. Pick up any small children and group together everyone with you; Back away while facing the bear Avoid camping and hiking alone in the backcountry. A nuisance black bear around camp was giving the Ranger fits, we were cautioned & checked daily. Other areas need to worry about fall, when bears are eating enough to be able to hibernate for the winter. Besides not wanting to set your clothing or supplies on fire, you should also take care to not cause wildfires while camping. Take infant car seats out of vehicles when parked overnight. ... grizzly bears. There should … While car camping, plan to keep all of your food secured in your car—whether you’re trekking to the outhouse or curling up in your sleeping bag for the night. What this means is even on some isolated trails in the middle of nowhere in a national forest (national and state parks are much more restrictive) or on BLM land, or places you will walk by on such trails it can be illegal to possess a loaded gun. Many people wonder what they should do when going into bear country. Usually a black bear will have chest blaze, a light coloured patch on its chest. It is their top priority. Bringing the correct gear when camping and hiking is very important, especially when storing food. Don’t pitch your tent next to a “widow-maker,” a dead tree that could crush your tent if it comes down while you’re sleeping. Keep your garbage and food out of reach, under lock and key at all times. While incorporated areas are automatically even more restrictive under state law. The #1 rule for camping in the North East (black bears); is put all food, snacks, etc., in a bear bag and hang it high! Wear long sleeves and … Home; Advice; Bears on the Appalachian Trail; Black bears are the only bears found in the east. Any extra warmth is a bonus really. 4. WDFW. The fact that it is critter-proof, means that you don’t need to worry about wild critters going after your food while you are hanging out in camp during the day, but you should never leave it unattended in camp for extended periods of time because bears don’t just come out at night. Kathy Przywara, a California mom, likes to use a Dutch oven (a cast iron pot with a snug lid) for cooking while camping. That's why you should store your food away from your camp when staying in bear territory. What concerns some most, however, is camping. Mountain lions live anywhere and everywhere there is prey, with the greatest concentration in the western half of the USA and Canada. There’s also a list of campgrounds outside the park at the end of this post if you need it. Wild animal encounters cannot be avoided when you’re out in the wild, and when you’re camping outdoors too. Especially, if you take a bear spray with you. Electric fencing, now lighter and Keep your garbage and food out of reach, under lock and key at all times. Tent campers are more prone to horrific bear attacks like this one in British Columbia, but your RV is still at risk. (Bikepackers camping in the backcountry tend to have less to worry about in this department.) If there are bears in the area where you’re backpacking, bring bear spray as well. In most cases, this occurs when there is a predator in the vicinity and if you are camping in a mountain lion environment then, your guess is as good as mine. The most dangerous season for some animals is spring when they are mating. Camping Tips: Special care should be taken when camping in grizzly country. You will need to take all of the same and necessary steps that you would anywhere when camping in bear country, and Killbear Provincial park is no different. Black bears have limited eyesight but a keen sense of smell and hearing. Wear bug spray. However, there are things such as bears that can make camping boring and dangerous at the same time. Typically, barrels are filled with a variety of foods—the stinkier the better—in order to lure in bears. It also helps strengthen the bond between person and dog. The woman's boyfriend returned to their home in … If you’re going car camping you can wear whatever you typically wear to bed. Here is what you should really be worried about if you ever have to survive outdoors. If you are camping in bear habitat but there are no reports of bears stealing food and no hard-sided canister requirement, use an Ursack Major or Ursack AllMitey (which is also rodent-resistant). Thirst Generally if you’re hiking and you don’t see any bear warning signs and there is no mention of bears when looking at … Clark Creek North Campground No one wants to be sound asleep in a tent when a curious bear pokes around camp. If you follow a safe camping protocol, then a bear encounter at your campsite is unlikely. While backpacking through bear country, make noise to warn bears of your approach. But while an adult bear is not likely to approach a human, her curious cubs might, invoking a potentially dangerous encounter. But if you roll your ankle while you’re out camping by yourself, you have to know how to handle the situation in a calm and relaxing manner.
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