Safety Tips in Bear Country

1) Keep a clean camp. Dispose of trash properly by bagging it and hanging it in a tree or putting it in a closed vehicle. Immediately clean all utensils after each use. Don't burn left over food or food packaging in a fire. Food odors will remain and possibly attract a bear. Avoid cooking strong smelling foods such as bacon.

2) Secure all food items. Hang your food in a tree away from your camp site. (100 yards is recommended.) Hang food at least ten feet high and four feet away from the tree trunk. If a tree is not readily available, keep food in a locked vehicle and out of sight. Never store food in your tent.

3) Keep coolers out of sight. Bears learn quickly and have come to recognize food coolers as easy sources for food. They will make extra efforts to get at a cooler if they spot one. Keep coolers in locked vehicles and out of sight.

4) No food or smells in the tent. Never keep food in your tent. Never sleep in the clothes you cook in. Food smells permeate clothing and could attract a bear to your camp.

5) What is food? Treat non-food items such as gum, soap or deodorant as food. They are attractive to a bear's acute sense of smell.

What to Do When You Are Face to Face With a Bear?
- Recognizing a grizzly from a black bear can be crucial
- Remain calm, make the bear aware of your presence.
- Do not feed the bear!
- Keep at least 15 feet away from the bear.
- Yell and make loud noises to scare the bear away.
- The bear may utter a series of huffs, snap (pop) its jaws, and swat the ground. These are all warning signs that you are too close. Slowly back away.
- If the bear will not leave, move to your car or camp if available.
- Black bears will sometimes bluff charge. Stand your ground and then slowly back away.
- If you encounter a black bear at close range, remain standing upright, avoid direct eye contact, back up slowly and speak in a calm voice.
- If the bear stands on its hind legs, it may be trying to get a better view or detect smells.
- Always avoid direct eye contact with a black bear. In a bears language, direct eye contact is a direct challenge.
- Last but not least; if your are attacked by a black bear, defend yourself and fight back!
- If you are physically attacked by a grizzly, try to remain motionless and "play dead".

Caribou devoured by a black bear

BOWHUNTING Canada
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