Earlier than setting off on a hike, you at all times plan the place you’re going, the timing, and what to take with you, proper? You also needs to plan forward methods to hike (or camp) safely round wildlife. Particularly bears. It’d seem to be you’ll solely encounter bears if you happen to go to Yellowstone, the Smoky Mountains, or Alaska. However bears occupy a a lot larger space. Do you know that black bears are present in 40 of the 50 states of the US?
Black bear and grizzly bear ranges are growing 12 months after 12 months, so earlier than touring to the wilderness, be sure to test if it’s bear nation. Whether it is, learn on for our security recommendations on methods to hike in bear nation.
Don’t assume that as a result of it’s chilly, bears will probably be tucked away of their dens. Simply final month (in November) we had a household of 5 bears in our yard within the mountains of North Carolina. Additionally, grizzly bears would possibly come out of hibernation in early March in Yellowstone.
At all times carry bear spray and know methods to use it earlier than you set off in your journey. Bear spray will not be allowed on planes, so if you’re flying to your vacation spot you’ll want to purchase it within the space. REI carries them. Watch the video on the finish of this put up to discover ways to use a bear spray. *Don’t discharge the bear spray indoors*, study to make use of it outdoor.
NEVER EVER give meals to a bear, method it, attempt to get a selfie with a bear, or attempt to pet it. If you’re in a nationwide park and see somebody doing this, take a photograph (attempt to embody the license plate quantity) and report them on the workplace. A fed bear is a lifeless bear.
Mountaineering in bear nation
- In case you see a bear earlier than it notices you: stand nonetheless, don’t method, and benefit from the second. If it’s shifting in your path, be certain he is aware of you might be there and announce your self with a loud and grave “Hey Bear”. The bear will more than likely flip round. In case you don’t announce your presence you would possibly startle the bear when it’s too shut and it would react violently. (I imply, if you happen to startle me I would scream so it’s comprehensible to have a response.) As soon as the bear is shifting away, transfer away quietly in the other way. We had an encounter with a mom grizzly and her cub in British Columbia and we did this. You’ll be able to learn the story right here.
- In case you encounter a bear that’s conscious of you: don’t run; working might set off a chase response. Again away slowly in the other way and look forward to the bear to go away.
- Concentrate on your environment, attempt to make noise periodically, and don’t use earbuds.
- Don’t hike alone.
- Preserve children close by.
- Make noise in thick cowl.
- Be further conscious when foraging for berries or nuts. Bears are doing the identical!
- At all times KEEP YOUR PETS ON A LEASH or go away them at residence. Canines might harass bears and trigger them stress, and in return, a bear might assault your canine.
- Don’t litter. Pack out your trash. Getting bears habituated to human meals sources makes them extra prone to have harmful encounters with people.
- Don’t get between a mom and her cub. If a mom thinks her cub is at risk, she’s going to shield it. In case you see a cub, at all times search for mother and bear in mind.
Tenting in bear nation
- Arrange backcountry camps away from dense cowl and pure meals sources.
- Preserve your camp clear. Don’t go away meals sitting round, and at all times lock it up (within the automotive, or in a bear-resistant container) if you happen to exit for a hike.
- Don’t preserve something that smells like meals or toiletries in your tent. No snacks, no toothpaste, no deodorant, no sodas, no lip balm, no sunscreen, no bug spray.
- In case you camp together with your pet and must preserve a litter tray within the tent, use unscented litter and preserve it clear. No pet treats both.
- If automotive tenting, preserve meals and toiletries inside a locked car and ensure all of the home windows are closed. Bears have discovered methods to open unlocked automobiles and methods to bust opened home windows.
- If backpacking, preserve meals and toiletries suspended a minimum of 10 ft above the bottom and 10 ft from any a part of the tree. Some parks have already got a system in place (see pink arrow within the photograph beneath from a backcountry campsite in Yellowstone). This regulation would possibly range from nationwide park to nationwide park so at all times test for rules on the park’s entrance.
Cooking in bear nation
- When cooking don’t dump meals waste in your hearth (or exterior the fireplace for that matter). No bean sauce, or meat fats, or anything.
- Prepare dinner away out of your tent so that you don’t entice bears to your sleeping space. Many areas advocate a “bear-muda triangle” method, together with your tent on the first nook (ideally upwind), your meals storage at one other nook, and your prepare dinner space on the third, separated by 100 yards. A variation places your wash-up space at yet one more distant level.
- Put all of the trash in a bag inside a bear-proof storage locker or trash can that almost all campgrounds present. If none is out there, put the trash inside your locked automotive. If you’re on a backpacking journey, spend money on a bear-resistant meals container.
Bear in mind to hold your bear spray inside attain, don’t pack it within the backside of your backpack.
WATCH THIS VIDEO AND LEARN HOW TO USE YOUR BEAR SPRAY
Bears should not out to get you
Bear in mind, bears should not out to get you. They’re simply going about their lives such as you and me. And such as you, they might fairly not get right into a battle. If we study to respect bears fairly than concern them, and take a couple of frequent sense precautions, we are able to all dwell collectively fortunately.
