Before embarking on a hike, you typically plan out your destination, timing, and what supplies to bring, correct? It’s equally important to prepare for safely hiking (or camping) near wildlife, especially bears. You may think encounters with bears are limited to Yellowstone, the Smoky Mountains, or Alaska, but bears inhabit a far larger area. Were you aware that black bears reside in 40 of the 50 US states?
The ranges of black bears and grizzly bears are expanding each year, so prior to heading into the wilderness, verify whether you’re in bear country. If so, continue reading for our safety guidance on hiking in bear territory.
Never assume that cold weather means bears are hibernating. Just last month (in November), we had a family of 5 bears in our yard in the North Carolina mountains. Furthermore, grizzly bears might emerge from hibernation as early as March in Yellowstone.
Always bring bear spray and familiarize yourself with its use before you depart on your journey. Bear spray is prohibited on airplanes, so if you are flying to your destination, you’ll need to purchase it locally. REI sells bear spray. Watch the video at the conclusion of this post to learn how to utilize bear spray. *Avoid using bear spray indoors*, practice using it in an outdoor setting.
NEVER feed a bear, approach it, attempt to take a selfie with it, or try to pet it. If you’re in a national park and observe someone doing this, take a picture (try to capture the license plate) and report it at the park office. A fed bear is a dead bear.
Hiking in bear country
– If you spot a bear before it sees you: stay still, do not approach, and take a moment to enjoy the sight. If the bear heads in your direction, make your presence known with a loud and firm “Hey Bear”. The bear will likely retreat. Failing to announce your presence may startle the bear too closely, resulting in potential aggression. (If startled, I might yell, so it’s understandable to react.) Once the bear departs, quietly move in the opposite direction. We had a close encounter with a mother grizzly and her cub in British Columbia, and we followed this advice. You can read about it here.
– If you come across a bear that recognizes you: do not run; fleeing could provoke a chase instinct. Slowly back away in the opposite direction and wait for the bear to leave.
– Stay mindful of your surroundings, make noise at intervals, and refrain from using earbuds.
– Avoid hiking alone.
– Keep children within sight.
– Make noise in dense areas.
– Exercise caution when picking berries or nuts. Bears are likely doing the same!
– Always KEEP YOUR PETS ON A LEASH or leave them at home. Dogs can disturb bears, causing stress, and in turn, a bear may threaten your dog.
– Do not litter. Carry out your trash. Conditioning bears to human food sources increases the likelihood of risky encounters with humans.
– Avoid placing yourself between a mother and her cub. A mother bear will protect her cub if she feels it’s threatened. If you encounter a cub, always look for the mother and remain alert.
Camping in bear country
– Position backcountry camps away from dense vegetation and natural food supplies.
– Maintain a clean campsite. Never leave food unattended, and always secure it (in the car or in a bear-proof container) if you leave for a hike.
– Refrain from keeping anything with food odors or toiletries in your tent. No snacks, toothpaste, deodorant, sodas, lip balm, sunscreen, or bug spray.
– If camping with a pet and using a litter box in the tent, opt for unscented litter and keep it tidy. No pet treats, either.
– If camping by car, store food and toiletries in a locked vehicle and ensure all windows are shut. Bears are adept at breaking into unlocked vehicles and smashing open windows.
– If backpacking, store food and toiletries at least 10 feet above the ground and 10 feet away from any tree part. Some parks have established systems for this (refer to the red arrow in the photo below from a backcountry campsite in Yellowstone). Regulations may vary from park to park, so always verify rules at the park’s entrance.
Cooking in bear country
– When cooking, do not discard food waste into your fire (or outside of it for that matter). No bean sauce, meat fat, or any residue.
– Cook away from your tent to avoid attracting bears to your sleeping area.