Bear away

We have had a lot more problems with some of the folks who have camped next to us than we have had with bears.

We have a wilderness property in northern Ontario where we take our trailer, with a good population of bears. Near the end of the summer they often stroll through the clearing and take a look at us. At that time of year they are looking for blueberries and will sometimes chew up a hummingbird feeder to get at the sweet nectar. We do not put out a hummingbird feeder. Just clean up the bar-b after using it and we have never had a problem. Often go out in the morning and see bear scat in the yard left overnight.

Black bears are normally timid, and don't want contact with humans. They are also more likely to show up at night, when you are snoozing. As others have said, keep a clean campsite and critters of all sorts will be less of a problem. Raccoons and squirrels are more of a nuisance most places.

In addition to all of the great suggestions so far, keep in mind that most wild animals do not know the difference between "food" and other enticing smells. They cannot tell that your toothpaste or mouthwash is not food, or that someone's perfume or after shave is not food. So, be vigilant with anything that may emit a smell, because it may attract unwanted attention.

Keep a clean camp.

If you cook outside, be sure to clean up all your spills and any grease as much as possible. Clean the grill if it's on the fire ring; if it's your portable, clean it and put it away.

If you cook inside--again, clean up thoroughly.

Take your food trash to a trash can or dumpster after clean up.

Do not leave food visible on a counter to tempt a bear to take a swipe at a window while you are away.

Never put scraps, used napkins or paper goods (or anything else) in the fire ring to burn later.

Never leave anything unattended on an outside table that remotely resembles food, for even a few minutes--not even cans of soft drinks. Even if bears don't show up, squirrels and other critters can make a big mess.

Black bears are chow-hounds, and generally easily frightened off. But don't set up a situation to attract them, and you will likely never see one do anything but stroll through. Just don't do anything that remotely resembles getting between a sow and cubs.

Grizzly country requires all of the above precautions, but with even more care.

If a grizzly decides to stroll through, sit tight and still wherever you are. They do not scare off readily. Generally if you have a clean camp they are not interested in you. But they can be grumpy if annoyed.

Black bears can usually be scared away by loud noises.
Open the window of your trailer or motorhome and yell at them, or bang some pots together and they will normally take off. A barking dog will usually do the trick as well. However, if they have become accustomed to people and getting food, it might not work for long.

Troublewaters has it correct. If a bear is around he's looking for food. No food or food odors - they won't stick around long.

If a bear smells something he might like to eat at your camping spot, he'll likely come investigate it. If he doesn't smell your camping spot he may wander by it, if he just smells you he'll likely not want to stick around. Make your camping spot smell like fresh cooked bacon and you will invite visitors. No good smells, no good reason for visitors to stick around.

In short, bears have no desire to be around humans unless being there presents itself as and easy and quick meal. Bears like easy meals.