Few things wake a camper up faster than the thought of a bear nosing around the tent at night. In most of North America, black bears, brown bears, and grizzlies share the same forests we pitch our tents in, and a chance sighting from a safe distance can be a highlight of any trip. A close encounter is a different story.
The good news is that bears rarely want anything to do with people. What they want is food, and almost every avoidable encounter starts with a careless campsite. Get your food, your scent, and your campsite choice right, and you tilt the odds firmly in your favor. Below are seven actionable tips to keep bears away while camping, plus the bear behavior you should understand before you ever zip the tent shut.
Understand Bear Behavior First
Before you can repel bears, you have to understand how they think, because they are unpredictable and instinctive animals. Remember that bears do not hunt people. They hunt people's food. Wild bears are not habituated to humans and generally try to avoid us when they can.
Watch a bear's posture if you do face one off. A bear standing on its hind legs usually signals curiosity rather than aggression. It is trying to see and smell what is going on at your campsite. Bears follow their nose and focus hard on investigating a scent, so never try to surprise one. They are most active from sunrise to sunset, and behavior varies by species: black bears tend to be shy, while brown bears are more likely to defend themselves and act aggressively.
Know What Attracts a Bear to Your Campsite
Bears come to camp expecting food, and an easy meal is what makes them bold and aggressive. They are not drawn to everything, but scented and edible items are magnets. Camping is not possible without some of these things, so the goal is to manage and contain them, not pretend they are not there. Common bear attractants include:
- Garbage
- Cosmetics
- Cooking oil
- Pet or human food
- Fuel for your lantern and stove
- Toothpaste
- Cooking utensils
1. Choose Your Campsite Wisely
To avoid bears, you have to think like a bear. These animals are drawn to natural food sources such as lakes and berry patches, so pick a more boring stretch of ground when you can. It is also vital to check the spot twice for any sign of recent bear activity. Watch for these signs:
- Bear tracks: a sure sign a bear uses the area, so avoid such places.
- Claw marks: this can be a bear's marked territory.
- Bear droppings: bears tend to leave scat where they live and wander.
- Grizzly diggings: do not look twice. Leave quickly, as grizzlies are very dangerous.
2. Always Carry Bear Spray
Bear spray is one of the most useful tools you can carry when confronting a bear. It is designed specifically to repel a charging bear and contains derivatives of red pepper that irritate the eyes and respiratory system, buying you time to back away. It is effective only within roughly 12 to 30 feet and empties in about 9 seconds, so you have to know how to use it before you need it. To deploy it, break the safety clip and then depress the nozzle. Keep these safety tips in mind:
- Use caution when the wind is blowing hard into your face, as the spray can blow back and harm your own eyesight.
- Do not keep it in an outside mesh pocket where it can be knocked loose or discharged. Carry it in a holster instead.
- Practice removing the safety clip at home until the motion is second nature.
- Bear spray is an aerosol, so check airline guidelines and any regional restrictions before packing it.
3. Store Scented Food Safely
This is the tip that can genuinely save your life. Put all of your scented food into a sealed cooler rather than leaving it loose around camp. If a quality cooler feels expensive, look at the affordable alternatives that still keep food sealed and out of reach of these unwanted guests. The principle is simple: if a bear cannot smell it or get to it, it has no reason to visit.
4. Hang Your Food in a Bear Hang
To set up a bear hang, all you need is a suitable tree. Pick a branch at least 15 feet off the ground, then suspend your food bag so it hangs well below the branch and away from the trunk. The aim is to make the food so awkward to reach that a bear gives up. A proper hang keeps your edibles out of paw's reach while you sleep.
5. Use a Bear Canister or Keg
Bear canisters, sometimes called bear tubes or kegs, are convenient, affordable, and lightweight, which makes them ideal for backpackers. One can typically hold a single person's food for about 6 days. Make sure any container you buy is approved by the IGBC, the Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee. One more tip: store the loaded container at least 100 yards away from where you sleep.
6. Pack Unscented Trash Bags
This tip is for anyone who loves car camping. Bears can break a car window to reach food they can smell, so do not rely on a closed vehicle alone. Store your edibles and trash in odor-proof, unscented bags to mask the scent and remove the temptation in the first place.
7. Do Not Be Afraid, Be Proactive
If you are camping in active bear country, the key is to stay proactive rather than fearful. The strategies above all work toward the same goal: removing the food and scent that draw bears in, and giving yourself a plan if one shows up anyway. Anything can happen in the backcountry, but following these steps sharply lowers the odds of a bear ever wandering near your site. Do not panic at the sight of a bear, and always keep bear spray within reach.
Gear That Helps
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- Bear Spray
A holster-carried bear spray gives you a non-lethal way to stop a charging bear within about 12 to 30 feet, the single most important item to keep within reach in bear country.