Open cars and bears~~~etc?

Bears break into cars to get food because they smell food. They don't care whether convertible or not, they do what they've learned, which is usually ripping open the doors. This happens in the places where bears have learned that cars are food containers, Yosemite is a particular problem because humans haven't learned there.

They are not likely to attack occupied vehicles of any type, or moving vehicles. I think we have managed to move past the days when tourists fed bears from their car windows.

However, in a territorial battle of motor vehicle vs bison or moose (or a domestic bull) I would bet on the animal vs a Miata. When I was driving a little 1600 BMW, and a large ungulate was in possesion of the roadway, I would yield. Now driving a 6000 pound truck, in my mind the bison, bull, or grizzly bear still has right of way.

Unprovoked bear attacks are extremely rare.
Don't follow cubs around trying to take photos. Don't store food in your car. Don't try to sneak up on a bear when it's eating. Leave them alone and give them space -- you'll be fine.

(In the extremely unlikely event a bear comes at you while you are in the car, use the engine and speed off. They can't outrun your car.)

KeninAZ wrote:
I knew about the food issue.
I was more worried about an attack with no protection at all.
I guess this would be rare???

I'm wondering why a bear would attack you if you're driving down the road. They aren't going to run after you.

If the car is just sitting there you wouldn't be in it, would you?

Many folks tow soft-sided Jeeps and other convertibles. Have a good trip! :)

we were in AK last summer we had three different bears visit our campsite in 4 nights. We watched and photographed them. They sniffed around the campground a few minutes then wandered back into the woods. None tried to breakin to the RV we were eating dinner one night. A week or so later another or maybe one of the original visiters came by. I was in bed and heard him but didn't bother getting up. The next morning I could see where he had been trying to get into the bear proof trash can and paw prints on the storage building door, we stored garbage in there till our once a week run into town.
This year we were in northwest New Jersey and had several or the same bear roll through the campground. None bothered with the cars,trucks or RV's.

In addition to food, don't forget to take anything that could smell like food to a bear. This includes things like tooth paste, after shave, perfume, or even clothes that have these smells on them.

Left a can of beans, by mistake, on a picnic table. Next morning I saw where a bear had opened it with his teeth and ate the contents. A can is like a coke can lid to them, just pop it open.

KeninAZ wrote:
I knew about the food issue.
I was more worried about an attack with no protection at all.
I guess this would be rare???

Worried then buy BEAR SPRAY

I knew about the food issue.
I was more worried about an attack with no protection at all.
I guess this would be rare???

Old-Biscuit wrote:
Hard top....convertible
Doesn't much matter to a bear




Just be smart......as noted above.

Don't invite them

Exactly, doesn't matter what vehicle the food is in, if a bear smells it, it will get in it.

Do not leave anything, even candy or cookies, vacum the car before you set out on the trip and make sure it is devoid of anything that will attract them, door pockets center cosole glove comparment under seats and trunk, take the tools and spare tire out to make sure no food is under, even candy wrapers, otherwise no food, no smell, no bear.

navegator