Outdoor Gear Exchange on Bear Safety

Did you know? A study carried out in western Canada found that indigenous linguistic diversity and Grizzly bear populations have been shaped by the surrounding landscape in similar ways.

The relationship between people and bears is a delicate one, but with your help we can maintain a well-informed community of outdoor enthusiasts that know how to respect bears, and their environment. Unless you’re headed out on a winter camping trip to Antarctica, it’s important to consider bear safety. Following bear safety practices helps keep you, other campers, and bears safe.

Let’s take a look at the three high-level considerations for bear safety while enjoying the outdoors.

1. Food Storage
2. Campsite Setup
3. Personal Safety

Food Storage

Did you know? It’s estimated that bears have a sense of smell that is 100x better than a dog’s and 2000x better than a human’s.

And that turkey sandwich you packed smells delicious! All jokes aside, keeping food in your backpack or tent is not an option. Bears are smart, and if you search hard enough,you will find stories of bears breaking into just about anything. Getting your food out of your pack and tent is an essential first step toward solid bear safety.

Aside from the legendary ingenuity of Yellow-Yellow, a 125-pound Black Bear who frustrated the BearVault CEO by mastering the company’s otherwise bear-proof design, bear cans are the best way to secure your packed meals and snacks. Yellow-Yellow kept her secrets to herself - meaning the Bearvault 500 is a great option for securely storing up to seven days of food. At OGE, you can even rent a bear keg for as little as $8/ day!

The Pacific Coast Trail Hang Method is a strategy for hanging a bear bag over the limb of a tree, with the best chance of keeping your food away from hungry bears. See the graphic below, and visit The Ultimate Hang for a more comprehensive review of the approach.

Campsite Setup

Did you know? Bears have the largest brain-to-body size of any carnivore. Bears are wicked smart.

If you’re camping in an area with a known bear population, it’s recommended that you store and engage with anything that might have an enticing smell at least 200 feet away from your sleeping area. This means cooking and cleaning at least two hundred feet away from your tent.

Aside from food, it’s important to consider other smelly things you’re packing such as deodorant, toothpaste, medications, and sunscreen.

Personal Safety

Did you know? Bears are naturally curious animals - if they hear a noise that’s unfamiliar (like a bell), or smell something foreign (like deodorant) they may investigate the source.

Though bears are curious animals, they’re also highly cautious (especially American Black Bears - the species you’re most likely to encounter). An encounter with an American Black Bear would more than likely result in the bear high-tailing it off into the woods. Simply letting your presence on the trail be known by talking or making noise is usually enough to ward off any nearby Black Bears.

If you’re traveling in an area with the more aggressive Grizzly bear, however, you are encouraged to carry bear spray. Bear spray differs from traditional pepper spray by being packaged inside a powerful aerosol canister, for more range and effectiveness against the larger animal.

Remember practicing good bear safety habits keeps you, other hikers, and the bears more safe.