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Minnesota-Mara
JustNorth Newcomer
Posts:12
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| 8/16/2006 9:50 AM |
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| Our family is taking a camping trip, this fall, in potential bear country. What is the best way to bear proof our campsite? |
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Buck
JustNorth Pro
Posts:1101
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| 8/17/2006 10:47 AM |
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Hi Minnesota-Mara and welcome to JNO.
Great question!
Here are a few pointers:
Avoid taking odorous foods; they attract bears.
Don't leave food and containers (ice chests, bags, cans) in cars at the trailhead. Bears can break into vehicles if they see or smell signs of food.
Use food storage boxes. Store soap, sunscreen, deodorant, toothpaste and garbage in the same way as food. Bears are attracted to anything with an odor.
By making loud noises and throwing objects you can often scare bears away before they get to your food. Be bold, but keep a safe distance and use good judgment. Never attempt to retrieve food from a bear. Never approach a bear or get near a cub.
Bears are active both day and night. At night and any time you are away from camp, remove all food from your pack and store it properly. Leave your pack on the ground with flaps and pockets open.
When you leave an area, take all your garbage with you.
I know that JNO Prostaff, HogEye, has a lot more to share on the subject. His many adventures in the Boundry Water Canoe Area of northern Minnesota have taught him some valuable lessons. He will be able to help you with storage tips and bear bags, etc.
Hope this helps and have a great trip,
Buck |
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Robb "Buck" Anderson
President
JustNorth Outdoors |
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HOGEYE
JustNorth Pro
Posts:424
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| 8/18/2006 4:36 PM |
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I haven't had a problem with bears in my camp yet. However, that doesn't mean I don't still take the precautions. Some of these include:
Stay aways from the bears - If you stop at a campsite that has lots of bears sign, keep moving. Bears are generally creatures of habit and will frequent the same areas.
Keep food away and out of reach- The best method of keeping food away from bears is by using bear proof containers. These simply work. These containers can be put in a pack and hung in a tree. If you don't want to buy a container (I haven't), simply hang your pack at least 12' off the ground and 7' from a tree trunk or larger branch. Bears have been know to jump onto packs or chew through ropes though.
Keep the camp and tent scent free - Wash dishes and cook in an area that is away from where you will be sleeping. Wash dishes in the lake (no soap though as it contains phosphates). Clean fish away from camp and dispose of guts on a nearby (100 yards from camp) shoreline rock for the gulls. Don't keep any snacks or toothpastes, makeup, dog food etc. in the tent. It may also be a good idea for the ladies not to go camping when it is that time of the month as the menstrual scent has been known to attract bears
Another thing to remember is to not put garbage down the latrine as the bears will tear them apart to get at it.
If a bear does happen into camp the best way to make it leave is to make yourself look large and make lots of noise by yelling and banging pots and pans together. Never play dead with a black bear (these are what we find in Minnesota). Never feed a bear as they will get tame and will become a nuisance animal.
I have mentioned a few things that should keep the bear encounters to a minimum. Don't let bears keep you away though as they are present in almost all of the state now and are rarely even seen. Have fun camping. |
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Nathan "HogEye" Kestner
JustNorth Outdoors Columnist
JustNorth Outdoors Pro Staff
Team JustNorth Core Team |
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Minnesota-Mara
JustNorth Newcomer
Posts:12
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| 8/21/2006 11:52 AM |
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Thank you for all your advice. That will really help us.
Great site! Keep up the good work. |
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HOGEYE
JustNorth Pro
Posts:424
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| 8/23/2006 7:09 PM |
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Hope that you have a good trip. Let us know how it goes.  |
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Nathan "HogEye" Kestner
JustNorth Outdoors Columnist
JustNorth Outdoors Pro Staff
Team JustNorth Core Team |
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