It's only natural that when you go camping in the wilderness, that you're bound to encounter local wildlife. Especially bears. Bears can be dangerous because of their fast speed at which they can run, their long, sharp claws and their immense size. Here are some tips on how to stay bear-smart when camping.
According to the Ontario government's Bear Wise program, here are some tips they recommend on camping with bears in the area
Know your bears!
-Educate yourself on the various species of bear. There are numerous species of bear, from grizzly bears to polar bears to black bears and more. Depending on the region of the world you're in, you're bound to have at least one species of bear native to that area! In the US and Canada, there are three major species of bear: grizzly, black and polar.
Black bears aren't always black
-The only reason people call this particular species of bear black bears is because their fur is mostly black. This is the most common species of bear and is most often found in mountainous regions, like in parts of Canada and even in places like Gatlinburg, Tennessee. These bears can be black, blue-black, dark brown, cinnamon colored or even white
Grizzly Bears
-Mostly found in Western Canada and the United States, grizzlies are much larger than black bears and are more aggressive. They come in a wide array of colors, from blonde to dark brown
Polar Bears
-The fuzzy Alaskan and Northern cousins to the black bear and grizzly bear. These bears are particularly found in cold regions and are known for their fuzzy white fur. They are also said to hunt humans
Preventing Encounters
-The best tip to stay safe is to avoid encountering these large animals if you see them in the wild. Stay away from them if you see them. It's okay to take pictures of them, as long as you are doing it at a distance to where they don't feel you are threatening them
Never surprise a bear
-This could be a fatal decision. When hiking, make noise when walking through the woods. This alerts bears in the area that you are coming. Bears will only attack if they feel threatened. Otherwise, they will turn and run. Bears don't like to be surprised. Making noise gives them time to make a getaway
Make noise
-Sing, use a bear bell, do anything to make noise. Making noise will let wildlife, especially bears, know you are coming, and they will run away. Purchase a "bear bell" to attach to you, your children or dog so they make noise when they move
Travel in groups or hike with friends
-Never travel alone in the wilderness. Bears are far less likely to approach a large group of people. Travel in groups for safety
Keep a safe distance
-Maintaining a safe distance not only keeps you safe, but it also allows the bear to stay safe. It will tell the bear that you are not a threat to them. If you see bears out in the wild, stay at least 100 feet away. You can take pictures or use binoculars, but do not approach the bear!
Keep a clean campsite!
-Bears love nothing more than food. If you have a messy campsite with food containers strewn about, then it's only natural that bears are going to smell the food and come to investigate. Bears have a highly strong sense of smell. Do not store food in your tent. Maintain a clean campsite and put food in a tightly locked cooler
Hang up your food
-It might sound strange, but if you use bear-resistant bags to hang food up in a tree, hang it up at least 4 meters off the ground and and 1 meter away from the trunk. While bears are good climbers, they won't be able to climb that high
Keep your dog tethered on a leash
-It's only natural that a dog will want to chase wildlife. Anyone who has walked a dog in a park can attest to their dog wanting to chase squirrels. Out in the wilderness, especially if you are camping in bear country, it's important to keep dogs safe by keeping them tethered on a leash or harness. A dog roaming freely could incite a defensive attack on the bear's part, or the bear could chase the dog back to their owner
Don't bother a bear!
-This is not a good idea. If you see a bear in the distance, simply stay away. Bears are dangerous and unpredictable, especially if they feel threatened. Simply leave the area and give the bear its space
Stay calm
-The last thing you want to do in a bear situation is panic. Staying calm tells the bear you are not a threat to them. Hearing you talk to them in a calm, clear voice that is not yelling, but calmly talking will tell them you are not a threat to them
Take shelter if you can
-If you have to, take shelter inside a vehicle or building if you encounter a bear
Do not run!
-If you think that, for one second, you can out run a bear, you're fatally mistaken. Bears can run at incredibly fast speeds. And with the weight of muscle behind them, that makes them even faster! They can run up to 50 km/hour and they respond to quick movement. The best way to escape the situation is to remain calm and back away slowly, keeping your eyes to the ground. Like any animal, if you look a bear directly in the eyes, they may take that as a challenge
If the bear is calm, keep quiet
-If you're yelling, then the bear is going to react to that. If you're calm, then the bear is going to react to that. If the bear is calm, quiet and not showing any sort of aggressive behavior, such as clawing at the ground, moaning or growling, the best option would be to avoid spooking the bear. Speak softly and calmly to the bear as you slowly back away. This will tell the bear you are not a threat
If the bear becomes aggressive...
-...then get noisy. Bears don't like noise. If they are exhibiting aggressive behavior, bang pots, make any kind of noise. This will make you seem scary and hopefully scare the bear off
Make yourself big
-It sounds strange, but if you make yourself seem bigger, the bear will be impressed with your size and decide it isn't worth the risk of injury to itself. This is only recommended if the bear is showing aggressive behavior
Don't climb a tree
-As mentioned before, in the tip about hanging food from a tree, bears are excellent climbers. Despite the popular myth that climbing up a tree will protect you from bears, it won't work. Bears are excellent climbers and will follow you right up the tree
Don't play dead
-This is an urban myth that doesn't work. Like the concept of climbing up a tree to avoid bears. Playing dead will not deter a bear. Authorities firmly believe that if you are attacked by a bear, the best option is to fight back as good as you can
When you encounter a mother bear with cubs
-The only time "playing dead" will work is in situations where you encounter a mother bear with her cubs. She is clearly not out looking for food. She will leave you alone as long as you leave her alone. Roll into a fetal position to protect vital organs
Bear Spray - Use as Needed
-When camping in bear country, it's a good idea to have what is called "bear spray". It's important to know how to use it. It can deter bears from coming closer or even attacking
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