Safety Measures to Take when Camping in Bear Country
Experiencing the natural world through camping or hiking should be an experience that everyone tries to take as often as possible. The natural world has an overwhelming amount of beauty to offer. Whether it be camping, hiking, or any other form of outdoor activity, it is an experience that one should not live without. Exploring wildlife in their natural habitats can be thrilling and eye-opening for those that have never experienced this before. But as wonderful as nature and her creatures are, there are some dangers. Bears in particular can be dangerous to people exploring the wild if the proper precautions are not taken. Most of the danger concerning bears, and in most cases grizzly and black bears, concern food and the protection of their young. Bears are beautiful creatures; large, strong and elegant. However, they are also hunters that are fast and resourceful. When in bear country it is very important to know how to safeguard yourself against bears and also to keep the bears themselves from becoming dependent on human food or causing any problems that may cause them to be captured or killed.
Bears become most aggressive in the presence of their young. If you happen to come across a bear with her cubs, the element of danger is much greater than if it were a single adult bear alone. Like any good parent, the bear wishes to protect their young against any potential threats. But the main problems with bears arise when food is in the picture. While bears are hunters, they are not above scavenging. When carrying food with you into bear country, you should avoid carrying strongly scented foods like raw meats or other heavily perfumed products that might attract a bear’s attention. If you must take these items, then be sure that they are stored in air tight containers. Another good recommendation is to cook at a site that is different from where you will camp. In the event that you do attract the curiosity of a bear through the aroma of cooking food, he will not come scraping at your tent door! The main concern that you should have regarding food should be the method in which it is stored. Be positive that there are not delicious odors that are wafting into the forest to attract a hungry bear. Keep some of these simple precautions in mind and you can begin to explore the natural world in a safe and responsible way.