Photo courtesy of Fish Wildlife & Parks
Recreating In Bear Country
Being outdoors means being with wildlife. Here’s some simple advice for staying safe while exploring the outdoors and in bear country.
RECREATING – Safely exploring the outdoors
- Carry bear spray in an accessible place and know how to use it.
- Stay alert and look for bear activity, especially where visibility or hearing is limited (woods, bushy areas, streams)
- Travel in a group and keep members together (especially kids).
- Make noise whenever possible to avoid surprising a bear, especially where visibility or hearing is limited.
- Avoid traveling at night, dawn or dusk.
- Avoid carcass sites and scavenger concentrations.
CAMPING – Keep bears and people safe
- Keep food and anything with a scent out of tents.
- Dispose of garbage in bear resistant bins; otherwise, take it with you and dispose of it properly elsewhere. Do not bury or burn garbage.
- Follow local land management agency food storage orders and properly store unattended food and anything else with a scent.
- Food storage options:
- Bear boxes
- Hard-sided vehicles (car, truck, RV). Avoid leaving attractants in vehicles for extended periods of time (backcountry trips).
- IGBC-certified bear resistant containers
- Temporary electric fencing (PDF)
- Food storage options:
MOUNTAIN BIKERS, TRAIL RUNNERS & OHV USERS – Best practices for riding and running
- Anyone traveling quickly (mountain biker, trail runner) can be at high risk of surprising a bear.
- Slow down and look ahead, especially in areas of dense vegetation, berry patches, and around blind corners.
- Ride or run in daylight and in groups.
- Make noise! Let bears hear you, especially where visibility is limited.
- View a video about Bear aware when riding or running in Bear country.
- Biking in Bear Country (YouTube)