Bear Safety Tips Every Hiker and Camper Needs to Know

If you love to go hiking and camping, especially with your family, then safety must be your top priority. There’s a lot that can happen when you’re traveling in the wilderness, and you must be prepared. While you expect some risks, like the potential to fall or get lost, you also need to learn more about where you’re going, so you can be prepared for the risks that aren’t always at the forefront of your mind. A bear encounter is one of those risks.  You need to have a plan in case you come across a bear during your travels. The tips here are a good starting point.

You Need to Take Bear Safety Seriously

While bears don’t typically go out of their way to attack humans, altercations do happen, and they can be fatal. The most recent example occurred in Southwest Florida, where experts and law enforcement officials believe that one or possibly multiple bears attacked a dog and an 89-year-old man, leading to their deaths. While bear attacks don’t typically lead to fatalities, there have been 43 bear-human encounters since 2006 in Florida alone, so it’s important to be prepared, even if you never come across a bear yourself.

Know Where You’re Going

You need to take extra precautions if there’s any chance you’ll have a bear encounter, so do your research before you leave for your hiking trip. Read about your region and determine which bears, if any, are common there. When you’re touring the area, you may see signs that mention the possibility of bears. If so, consider hiking elsewhere if you can. If you think you may be in bear country, you can look for natural signs, like scratched trees or feces on the ground. When you see signs like these, you must be on high alert.

Know What to Pack

The next thing to do before you leave for your hiking trip is to pack the essentials that will keep you safe in the case of all potential hazards, including bear attacks. There are several safety essentials that you should pack for every hike, including:

• A backpack
• Plenty of food
• Plenty of water
• Map, compass, or other navigational tools
• First aid kit
• Knife or multitool

That said, if you’re hiking on a trail where there’s any possibility that you could encounter a bear, consider bringing these additional items:

Bear Spray

It’s one of the essentials of bear safety. Bear spray is different from pepper spray for humans, but it has a similar effect. The spray contains red pepper oil that irritates and inflames the eyes and upper respiratory system of bears. It is unlikely to kill the bear, but it will certainly startle them enough so they may leave or give you the chance to get away. Always keep the bear spray in your backpack or near you at night so you can reach for it at a moment’s notice. You should also take some time to practice using your bear spray before you hit the trails. When you first purchase it, remove the zip tie or plastic that keeps the trigger in place so you don’t have to mess with it when a bear is near. If you have to use it, spray the bear when it’s at close range and be aware of the wind direction so it doesn’t spray back at you. Practice spraying a bit before you go hiking so you know what to expect. 

Noisemakers

While you’re hiking down the trail, you want to make a loud noise every so often so you can alert any nearby bears of your presence. You don’t want to stumble onto a bear or surprise it because the bear’s reaction may be to strike out. Making noises can be as simple as clapping or yelling loudly occasionally, so there are no surprises. You can also purchase bear bells, though they are typically only effective when a bear is nearby. Many people also make their own noisemakers by filling a soup can with rocks and then taping it shut. An airhorn can also be very effective. Make more noise when you’re near streams and rivers where bears are more likely to be found, as well as when you’re coming around blind corners.

Limiting Your Chances of a Bear Attack While You Hike

The best way to engage in ultimate bear safety is to avoid them in the first place. Here are some tactics you should consider as you travel the great outdoors:

• Hike in a group – More people make more noise, and one of you is more likely to see a bear before you’re too close. Plus, the bear will be less likely to be startled by a large group.
• Be cautious of your scent – Be cautious of scents that could attract bears, like bacon or shampoos that smell like berries. Bears may be more attracted to those scents.
• Hike during the day – Avoid hiking at dusk, dawn, or at night when bears are more active.
• Keep kids and dogs close – You don’t want your kids to get lost and accidentally come across a bear, and you don’t want your dog to startle a bear and cause an issue.
• Be alert – Keep your head on a swivel and avoid wearing headphones so you can hear what’s around you.

What to Do if You See a Bear

In the event that you take the proper precautions, but you still come across a bear, you must be careful. Never surprise the bear or make a loud noise near it. Instead, slowly back away while keeping the bear in your sight. Take out your bear spray and turn off the safety just in case you need it. Once you’re at least 100 feet away, you’ll be safe enough to turn around and go a different route.

Bear Safety When Setting Up Camp

If you’re camping in an area where bears may be in the vicinity, you should be careful. In this case, prevention is the best way to stay safe. The most important step is to secure your food. Look online for smell-proof bags or bear canisters where you can store your food in such a way that it won’t draw in bears or other predators. Under no circumstances should you leave food out in the open.

You also want to keep attractive odors at a distance. If you need to cook or wash your dirty dishes after dinner, do it away from camp so the bears don’t come sniffing around while you’re sleeping. Finally, when you leave the campsite, follow “Leave No Trace Behind” principles, meaning you should pack up your food, take your garbage with you, and try to leave things the way you found them. That way, you won’t endanger other campers who come after you. In the end, when it comes to bear safety, the best protection is prevention. Hike responsibly in a group while making occasional noise, and if you have to camp, be smart about food storage. Follow these steps, and you can enjoy your hikes with less worry.