Clean Camps Keep Bears Away

Bears (click image for detail)

With thousands of campers spending time in the outdoors, the Idaho Department of Fish and Game cautions them to be careful with their food and garbage. Right now, black bears are traveling great distances while switching from spring to summer foods and when berries and other natural foods are scarce, human food becomes appealing.

These tips also apply in areas where grizzly bears are present. Campers can avoid most conflicts with bears by practicing the following: - Keep a clean camp. Pick up garbage and store it in a closed vehicle or in a plastic bag tied high in a tree. Store all food enclosed in a bear-resistant container, camper or vehicle. Never keep food in your tent. - Do not bury food scraps or pour cooking grease or anything that might be tasty on the ground or into the fire pit. Also, stow barbecue grills or other smelly cooking gear inside your vehicle. Bears have a tremendous sense of smell and they will come looking for an easy meal. - If you see a bear, watch it from a distance and leave it alone.

Black bears are not usually aggressive, but the danger may increase if a bear loses its fear of humans. Most bear complaints happen in July and August when bears are traveling in search of food. Black bears will eat almost anything, including human food, garbage, birdseed, and pet and livestock food. Bears that become conditioned to raiding human food sources can lose their natural fear of people and can become nuisances or even threats.