Essential Tips for Safe Coexistence with Bears for Hiking Enthusiasts and Outdoor Adventurers
Hangin' With Bears: A Guide to Hassle-Free Bear Encounters
Bear country need not be a no-go zone. Sure, they're big, furry, and a tad intimidating. But, as long as you follow a few simple rules, you can enjoy Mother Nature's Cuddly Killers without becoming a hapless meal.
My advice on bears is a mix of personal experiences from traipsing through the wild from Alaska to the Smokies, chats with park rangers in bear-filled parks like Yosemite and Lassen, and friendships with a bear scientist who knows these critters like the back of his hand.
Here's a breakdown of how bears roll, what to expect when you get up close and personal with 'em, and some tips to make your bear encounters memorable for all the right reasons.
First things first - let's get our bear facts straight. North America is home to two main types of bears, the black bear and the grizzly bear (or brown bear). For the sake of clarification, both types sport a range of shades from light brown to black. But don't worry your pretty little head about distinguishing them, 'cause unless you're in bear-filled parts of Montana, Wyoming, Idaho, or northern Washington State, you're unlikely to cross paths with a grizzly.
Bears are sneaky suckers, and whether it's a black bear or a grizzly, you won't usually need to identify them explicitly. And if you ever find yourself smack in the middle of grizzly country, just remember that they're bigger, browner, and have smaller ears than black bears. Other than that, they're pretty much the same - both are Leftovers R Us, enjoying a diet of plants, berries, insects, fish, and small mammals.
Remember, bears are shifty creatures that generally give humans the cold shoulder. Plus, they're not actively trying to add you to their dinner menu. Yet, it's essential to familiarize yourself with bear behavior to stay safe.
Bears are shy and mostly focus on finding food, often tuning out the world around them. They can also be curious, especially about shiny, new objects. And while curiosity doesn't equate to aggression, it's nonetheless a good idea to keep a respectful distance.
Bears are active during the day and sleep at night, much like humans. They prefer to travel on paths of least resistance, so keep your eyes peeled for them on trails, ridges, near water, and on larger animal runs. They also have an incredible sense of smell, so it's possible they've sniffed you out before you even see them.
Bears have a personal space bubble of roughly 100 feet. Stepping into that zone will likely result in aggressive behavior. Also, keep in mind that mothers with cubs can become protective to the point of aggression, so if you see a mama bear with cubs, give them a wide berth.
Now, if you're in "might be bear country," there are signs to watch for, like bear scat, marked trees, or oddly enough, a stinky, wet dog smell. Crossing paths with a bear is a sign that they've recently been in your vicinity. In bear land, here are a few things you can do to ensure a bear-y fun time:
- Make noise: Whistle, talk to yourself, or sing out loud. Remember, bear bells aren't loud enough to warn a bear at a distance, so bust out the ol' vocal cords.
- Hike in a group: If you're hiking with others but spread out, sync up your pace and hike together. It's safer in numbers.
- Don't smell good: Avoid perfumes, scented lotions, and foods like bacon or fish. Remember, bears have a hound dog's nose.
- Keep your dog on a leash and close by you.
- Hike cautiously around blind turns, corners, and near loud streams. Be extra careful in areas where wind is helping mask your scent.
- Have bear spray ready and within reach. More on that soon.
If you're in "active bear country," be extra vigilant. You'll know it's bear country if you encounter ad-hoc warning signs, fresh scat on the trail, or recent trail closures due to bear activity. In these instances, make noise, carry bear spray, and exercise extra caution.
So, what happens if you come face-to-face with a bear? Remember, don't panic, this ain't the time for a maelstrom of thoughts and countermeasures. Just give the bear plenty of space and let them know you're there by calmly saying, "hello bear, I'm here."
If the bear isn't just casually sniffin' around but showing signs of aggression, back away slowly and calmly. If you're carrying bear spray, unholster it and prepare to use it. Again, more on that in a sec.
In most cases, the bear will either scram or casually ignore you. But when it comes to grizzlies, they're less likely to bolt at the sight of humans and will likely just continue with their business. On rare occasions, you might come across a spray-happy black bear (or occasionally a grizzly), but don't fret. Just give them a wide berth, let them do their thing, and back away slowly.
Since we're discussing bears, let's talk about something essential for your bear-y adventures - bear spray. This stuff is like bear pepper spray and works on not only bears but also mountain lions and two-legged monsters (humans). It's an absolute must-have if you're exploring bear land.
Carry bear spray, and when a bear is about 20-30 feet away, spray it below the face for 1-2 seconds. A good can of bear spray offers 7-9 seconds of spraying power. Make sure you're not downwind of the bear since you don't want the spray getting in your own face. Here's a handy video showing you how to use bear spray: [Insert video link here]
Now, let's address the elephant in the room (or should I say grizzly in the forest). Some folks are pro gun when it comes to bear encounters. While displaying firearms may deter a bear in some instances, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife found that bear spray was significantly more effective in preventing injury in a bear attack. Firearms are a contentious topic, but bear spray is the statistically safer choice.
Remember, if a bear has acted aggressively towards you, notify park rangers as soon as you can. If the bear has moved on, you can call the ranger and let them know. If the encounter didn't go as planned, there's no need to engage in a street-style bear brawl. Fighting back against a bear is rarely effective and more likely to result in injury to you.
So, when it comes to camping in bear country, the name of the game is disguise and hide. First, store all food and scented items in an odor-proof bag. Opt for stuff like OPSACK, Smelly Proof Bags or BOS Bags. These bags greatly reduce odors but aren't 100% odor-proof. Some popular options include the PCT method or simply tossing a stuff sack attached to thin cord over a high branch (underhand swinging works well).
When it comes to protecting your food, most national parks have certain regulations depending on the level of bear activity in the area. Generally, you'll find three levels of protection:
- "Don't worry about bears" zone: You don't need any special equipment, as bears are either non-existent in the area or extremely rare. Simply store food in an odor-proof bag near your sleeping bag.
- "Maybe some bears" zone: Keep your food in an odor-proof bag inside an Ursack Allmitey or a similar bear-resistant container, securely tied to a tree with a 6-foot cord.
- "Active bear zone": In this case, invest in a bear canister like the BV450 or BV500, making sure food is safely stored inside a smell-proof bag.
When camping, make sure you remove all odors from your camping area. This means keeping your food, toothpaste, sunscreen, and other scented items in a smell-proof bag.
Stay far from your food when cooking, and store it at least 200 feet away from your camp and 200 feet from your tent. Clean up after meals and store trash in a durable trash bag to reduce any scent.
Lastly, if you come across a bear while camping, be cautious. Bear spray is your best form of defense, and it's essential to have it within reach. If a bear is in your campsite, retreat slowly and calmly and use bear spray if necessary.
Remember, bears can be curious creatures, and a bear that shows interest in your food may eventually grow used to human presence. But it's crucial that we, as humans, do our part to keep bears wild by keeping human food out of reach. Protecting food from bears is easy and simple – invest in an odor-proof bag and either hang it in a tree using an Ursack or store it in a bear canister.
By following these guidelines, you'll be able to hike and camp in bear country safely and enjoy an adventure you'll never forget (well, maybe forget the close encounters, but you get the idea). Bear safety is like politics, though, and people have strong opinions about various approaches, so adjust according to your comfort level and experiences.
Let's celebrate the great outdoors, come face-to-face with the majestic bears that roam it, and enjoy the wild side of life – just remember to respect the bears and keep your distance. And hey, misadventures happen to the best of us, so when things don't go as planned, grab a cold one, and call it a bear memory.
- You can trek through bear country confidently, as long as you understand bear behavior and follow simple guidelines to stay safe during camping.
- Bears are usually shy and primarily focus on finding food, but it's important to maintain a respectful distance, especially when they show curiosity about new objects, to prevent aggressive behavior.
- Hiking in groups, making noise, and keeping your dog on a leash can help ensure a memorable, bear-free experience while hiking on trails, ridges, near water, and on larger animal runs.
- Stores all food and scented items in odor-proof bags, such as OPSACK, Smelly Proof Bags or BOS Bags, when camping to minimize attracting wildlife and keep your campsite safe.
- Carry bear spray and be prepared to use it if necessary, as it is an effective and statistically safer choice compared to using firearms in bear encounters.
