Another option is a locked shed to hold your garbage cans. Take your garbage out as close to pickup time as you can. Double bag your garbage to contain smells. Wash your trash cans often to decrease lingering scents. You can also pour ammonia on your garbage, which will decrease the likelihood a bear will go digging through it. Never mix bleach and ammonia, as it creates toxic fumes.
If you do have bird feeders, hang them up high. Aim for at least 10 feet (3. 0 m)off the ground with no nearby trees. Also, make sure you clean up the seed under the feeder regularly. If you see a bear near your bird feeders, stop putting out birdseed for at least a month.
In addition, pick fruit as soon as it ripens or even when it’s slightly green. Sweep up any fruit that falls to the ground and spoils.
If you need to store food outside, use airtight, odorless containers.
Avoid putting strongly scented fruits in your compost area, as they will attract bears if you do.
The residue left behind can attract bears, particularly any meat drippings at the bottom. Keep your barbecue in a locked area if possible so bears can’t get to it.
Clean up around the eating area by wiping down your table and sweeping up any scraps left behind.
You can purchase electric fencing kits at home improvement stores. To set up an electric fence, place a post at each corner and one every 40 feet (12 m). Add insulators and string the wire along the posts. Connect the wire to the charger to run electricity through the wire.
Motion-activated water spraying systems, made for all kinds of animals, may also deter bears.
Similarly, bolt and reinforce doors on cabins and add heavy shutters to the windows. Bears occasionally break into summer homes to den, especially when they are sure humans have vacated the area. [10] X Trustworthy Source The Humane Society of the United States National organization devoted to the promotion of animal welfare Go to source
Pick an open area to set up camp, where you can spot bears and they can see you.
However, bears have a very acute sense of smell, so sticking to these types of foods will not be a deterrent by itself.
Do not store food in your tent, as that may encourage a bear to come rummaging around while you’re sleeping. Store food in campers, trailers, or vehicles, which bears will have more trouble getting into. [15] X Research source If you’re camping in the backwoods, lock any food away in a bear-proof container and hang it 10 feet (3. 0 m) from the ground. Swing it out at least 4 feet (1. 2 m) from other branches and the trunk. [16] X Research source Similarly, if you’ve cooked in your clothes, change them before going to bed. Place your food-scented clothes in a bear-proof container.
Better yet, try to leave scented items at home, and pick unscented items when possible.
Wipe down any cooking surfaces with soapy, warm water, then rinse it off with clean water.
Strain the food out of your dishwater before disposing of the water. Put the food bits in with your trash. When camping in the backwoods or back country, hang your trash from a tree along with your food. Hang it at least 10 feet (3. 0 m) in the air, away from the trunk and other branches. Never bury or burn food garbage, as bears will find it. [20] X Research source
A bear bag is made of very strong polyethylene. Place your food in a separate aluminum liner and then in the bag, which the bear can’t rip into. Put the whole thing in a waterproof, airtight plastic bag to minimize scents.
If you don’t want to talk, carry a satellite radio and set it to a talk show.
However, it’s never safe to enter an area where you see a bear. If you spot one, get out of that area.
However, don’t look the bear in the eye, as it may see that as a threat. Don’t try to climb a tree. For it to work, the tree would have to be right next you, and you’d need to get at least 30 feet (9. 1 m) up the tree quickly to escape the bear. Black bears will climb after you. Grizzlies are less likely to climb after you, but they may attempt it. [25] X Research source
To use the spray, release the safety and press down on the nozzle. Spray when the bear is about 30 to 60 feet (9. 1 to 18. 3 m) away. You can even spray it in the bear’s face if it gets close. Spraying takes some practice, so try it with an inert can. Practice in headwinds and crosswinds, as well as with the wind at your back. Keep bear spray within easy reach, such as in a holster. You won’t be able to get it out of your pack in time. Don’t spray it on yourself or your gear. As long as you don’t spray it in your face, it’s not dangerous. However, the smell quickly fades, and for that reason, it’s not an effective deterrent.
