Bears

There are no hard and fast rules to insure protection from a bear. Bear behavior differs under different conditions. The bears you may encounter while visiting the Forest are wild animals and they can be dangerous.

Here are a few tips designed to help you prevent bear trouble during your visit:

 

• Bears have an excellent sense of smell and are attracted by food odors. Don't leave food where they can get to it. While car-camping, keep your food in your vehicle, preferably in the trunk, at night or when you are away from the campsite.
   
• While camping in the wilderness or in the backcountry, hang your food pack in the trees when you leave your site and at night. As a rule of thumb, remember that if an average sized person can touch the suspended pack, so can a bear.
   
• Don't let an island campsite lull you into a false sense of security. Bears are very good swimmers.
• Keep a clean campsite. Burn all food scraps and left-over grease. Don't dispose of left-overs in the wilderness latrine. 
  
• Bears will find them and destroy the latrine in the process.
   
• If you should leave your campsite, tie your tent flaps open. Bears are naturally inquisitive and may want to tour your temporary home. If the tent is closed, they may make a new doorway.
   
• NEVER store food in your tent. Bears will use their sense of smell and find any snack or candy bar you may try to hide.
   
• If a bear does wander into your campsite, don't panic. They are usually easily frightened away by some loud noises. Try yelling or banging some pots together. NEVER feed or try to touch a bear. They may nip or cuff.
   
• If a bear refuses to leave or becomes hostile, move to another campsite.
   
• Researchers have found very little evidence of black bears attacking humans. However, in the unlikely event that you are confronted by a bear, remain calm and slowly back away. If the bear continues to advance, try to fight back as best you can. Often a series of blows over the nose will stop the bear. Researchers have also found that pepper spray (capsaicin - an irritant used by mail carriers to repel dogs) has been effective in repelling bears when it's sprayed into their eyes.

Bears are a natural part of the Forest. If you have the misfortune to have your camp raided by one, before you get mad at the bear, look around your camp and ask, "Did I invite it?".

U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE 743-607