Before embarking on a hike, you typically plan your destination, schedule, and what to carry with you, correct? It’s also essential to prepare how to hike (or camp) securely in wildlife areas, particularly around bears. Many think bears are only found in places like Yellowstone, the Smoky Mountains, or Alaska, but their habitat is much broader. Did you know that black bears inhabit 40 out of the 50 states in the US?
The territories of black bears and grizzly bears are expanding yearly, so before heading into the wild, ensure you verify if you are entering bear territory. If so, continue reading for our safety guidelines on hiking in bear territory.
Don’t presume that bears will be hibernating just because it’s cold. Just last month (in November), we observed a family of 5 bears in our North Carolina mountain yard. Additionally, grizzly bears can emerge from their dens as early as March in Yellowstone.
Always carry bear spray and familiarize yourself with its use before starting your journey. Bear spray is prohibited on airplanes, so if you’re flying, you’ll need to acquire it upon arrival. REI offers them. Watch the video at the conclusion of this post to learn how to use bear spray. *Never discharge bear spray indoors*, practice using it outdoors.
NEVER EVER feed a bear, approach one, attempt to take a selfie with a bear, or try to pet it. If you’re in a national park and witness someone doing this, take a photo (try to capture the license plate) and report them to the office. A fed bear is a dead bear.
Hiking in bear country
– If you spot a bear before it becomes aware of you: remain still, don’t approach, and cherish the moment. If it’s moving in your direction, make sure it knows of your presence by stating loudly and clearly “Hey Bear.” The bear will likely retreat. Failing to announce yourself could startle the bear if it gets too close, leading to a potential aggressive reaction. (Just as I might scream if startled, it’s a normal reaction.) Once the bear moves away, quietly depart in the opposite direction. We had an encounter with a mother grizzly and her cub in British Columbia and followed this approach. You can read about that experience here.
– If you find yourself in the presence of a bear that knows you are there: do not run; this could provoke a chase response. Gradually back away in the opposite direction and wait for the bear to leave.
– Stay mindful of your surroundings, make periodic noise, and avoid using earbuds.
– Hike with companions.
– Keep children within sight.
– Make noise in thick vegetation.
– Be particularly cautious when foraging for berries or nuts. Bears are foraging too!
– Always KEEP YOUR PETS ON A LEASH or leave them at home. Dogs can provoke bears and cause stress, which might lead a bear to attack your dog.
– Avoid littering. Take your trash with you. Allowing bears to become accustomed to human food sources increases the chances of dangerous encounters with people.
– Never position yourself between a mother bear and her cub. If a mother perceives her cub to be in peril, she will defend it. Always look for the mother when you see a cub and stay alert.
Camping in bear country
– Establish backcountry camps away from thick cover and natural food sources.
– Maintain a tidy camp. Do not leave food exposed, and always secure it (in the vehicle, or in a bear-resistant container) when leaving for a hike.
– Do not store anything with food or toiletry odors in your tent. No snacks, no toothpaste, no deodorant, no sodas, no lip balm, no sunscreen, no bug spray.
– If camping with a pet and need to use a litter box in the tent, opt for unscented litter and keep it clean. No pet treats either.
– While car camping, store food and toiletries inside a locked vehicle and ensure all windows are shut. Bears have learned how to open unlocked vehicles and break open windows.
– When backpacking, hang food and toiletries at least 10 feet above the ground and 10 feet from any tree part. Some parks already have a system established (see the red arrow in the photo below from a backcountry campsite in Yellowstone). This regulation may differ from one national park to another, so always verify the rules at the park’s entrance.
Cooking in bear country
– When preparing food, do not dispose of food waste in your fire (or outside of it). No bean sauce, meat fat, or anything similar.
– Cook away from your tent to avoid attracting bears to your sleeping area.