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Last week there was a tragedy in a Utah canyon campground.  An 11-year old boy was dragged from his family’s tent in the middle of the night.  His remains were found the next morning.  While this is a sad case of bears gone wild, it is not a usual one.  There are many things you can do to prevent bear attacks when you are out hiking or camping in the wilderness.

I think the first thing to consider is your attitude about wildlife in general and bears specifically.  Bears are wild animals and though they look cute they will hurt you.  Bears weigh between 200-350 pounds and can be as large as 500 pounds.  They can run faster than humans and have a ready weapon, their razor sharp claws.  Attempting to pet a bear or hand feed a bear will land you in the hospital, at best. 

Black bears have a powerful sense of smell, are highly intelligent and are excellent learners.  They are opportunistic feeders and will seek out food wherever it can easily be found.  You can best protect yourself and the bears whose home you are visiting by storing your food in bearproof food lockers or canisters and disposing of your garbage properly.  Storing your food in a cooler is not an option in the wild. Bears can smell the food and will come after it.  Unless you want your car torn apart you should also make sure that there is no food left in your vehicle.

Tips for helping keep bears and people safe:

1-Food is considered any item with a scent, including canned goods, bottles, drinks, soap, cosmetics, toiletries, trash, ice chests (even when empty) and unwashed utensils. 

2-Remove food from your car and store in a food locker when you will be away from your vehicle after dark.

3-When camping, hiking or picnicking always keep food within arms reach and never leave unattended.

4-Always stay with your food and treat your food locker like a refrigerator-keep it closed unless you’re activly getting food in or out.

5-If you see a bear in a developed area, such as a campground or parking lot, make as much noise as possible by yelling or banging pots together to scare it away.  If you see a bear in the wild keep at least 50 yards away to allow the bear to continue in its natural behavior.

6-Drive the speed limit.  The most common human-related cause of bear deaths is being hit by a car.

7-Report all bear sightings to the ranger station or visitors center where they can notify the proper authorities. 

Following these tips will ensure the safety of everyone involved.