Canoe Camping: Bear Safety
Crooked Lake Camp by Gary Fiedler courtesy Bending Branches
Knowing bear safety is an important part of canoe camping when you’re in bear territory. Here are some tips to keep in mind…
Chances are if you’re canoeing and camping in Canada, Alaska or forested areas in the continental US, you’ll be in bear territory, even as far south as Florida. Major canoeing areas like the Boundary Waters and the Northern Forest Canoe Trail are definitely bear country.
As our friends at the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources say:
“The best way to avoid bear problems is to not attract them in the first place.”
Don’t Attract Bears
Not attracting bears includes things like:
- Don’t camp at a site with obvious fresh bear sign (scat, claw marks on trees, tracks).
- Never, never keep or even take food in your tent! This also includes scented personal hygiene items like toothpaste, soaps and lotions.
- While you’re away from camp or at night, hang your food in a tree 10 feet above the ground and at least 6 feet from the trunk. Or use bear-proof food storage containers. (Most coolers aren’t bear-proof storage containers!)
- Don’t clean fish at your campsite.
- Keep your campsite clean. Bears are attracted to things like dirty dish water, empty bottles and cans, grills and fire pits with food residue, garbage with food residue, even pet food.
Never Feed Bears
While feeding bears can be cute and fun, a human-fed bear becomes a bear that’s a constant nuisance—and even dangerous—for future campers. Bears are very intelligent. They’ll learn very quickly to associate people with food and easy pickings.
What to Do if a Bear Comes in Your Camp
What if a bear comes in your camp? This will partly depend on which kind of bear you’re encountering.
If it’s a black bear (which ranges in color from light brown to black), try shouting, waving your arms and banging loud objects together to try to scare it away. It’s rare that one will show aggression to people. But if you encounter the odd bear that won’t leave your camp alone, you may have to move.
If you’re canoe camping in grizzly country, have bear spray with you and know how to use it.
Thousands of people camp in bear territory every year without any problems. You can, too, when you keep these safety tips in mind.
Shared with permission from Bending Branches
SOURCES AND MORE INFORMATION:
Bears: Camping & outdoor activities
When outdoors, you may encounter a bear, especially while camping. If you are planning a camping trip to bear country, a telephone call to inquire about bear activities is recommended. If you confront a bear while in the outdoors, remain calm. Don’t panic! Via MN DNR
Camping Safely in Ontario – ‘The Bear Country’
The black bear, for the very fact that they possess the power to kill a human, warrant the full respect of those who spend time camping in the Ontario Great Outdoors. Wilderness camping can be a thrilling and safe outdoor activity provided a few precautions are taken. Via Parks Blogger
Bear Safety Tips
Be Bear Aware. Seeing a bear can be an exciting experience, one that will form a lasting memory of your visit. By learning more about bears and their curious nature, you can better prepare for your visit to bear country and make it a positive experience for both you and the bears. Via Recreation.gov
Camping in Bear Country
Follow these rules whenever your campsite is unattended for any length of time i.e. at night or when going for a hike, swim or to the washroom. What Attracts Bears? Anything that has an odour or could be considered food may attract wildlife to your site. Via Bearsmart.com
How to Hang a Food Pack Away from Bears
The single tree with a pulley method of hanging a food pack. Tie a pulley onto a rope, and thread a second rope through the pulley. Throw the end of the first rope over a branch 20 feet up near the trunk of the tree. Raise the pulley until it is hanging down about 7 feet and secure rope to the trunk. Via www.fs.usda.gov
Camping in Polar Bear Country
When working or traveling in polar bear country some special considerations need to be taken. Polar bears inhabit an environment that often has minimal cover and often an encounter can be prevented when the bear is spotted at a distance. Be alert and aware of your surroundings. Via Bearsmart.com
