Camping Necessity Available at Costco Offers Protection From Potentially Harmful Wildlife Species
When planning a camping trip to the great outdoors, it's important to be prepared for potential encounters with wildlife, particularly bears. Here are some key practices to help ensure a safe and enjoyable experience.
1. Carry Bear Spray
Carrying bear spray is a widely recommended deterrent for defending against aggressive bears in close encounters. Costco offers a two-pack of UDAP Pepper Power Bear Spray with Griz Guard Holster for $49.99, significantly cheaper than the manufacturer's price. This bear spray, developed by Mark Matheny, a grizzly bear attack survivor, is EPA-registered and tested down to 0 degrees Fahrenheit, providing peace of mind for trips to wilderness or backcountry areas where bear spray is allowed.
2. Make Noise to Prevent Surprise Encounters
Using loud noise-making devices such as air horns, whistles, car horns, or bear bells while hiking and camping can help alert wildlife to your presence and avoid startling them. If a bear enters your campsite, banging pots or pans and using air horns or whistles can help chase it away safely.
3. Store Food Securely
Keep food, garbage, toiletries, and anything with a scent in bear-resistant containers or in locked vehicles away from your tent. Never leave food unattended or inside your tent, as smells attract bears and other animals.
4. Keep Cooking and Eating Areas Separate from Sleeping Areas
Set up cooking and food preparation at least 100 yards away from where you sleep to reduce the risk of bears detecting your campsite.
5. Maintain a Clean Campsite
Do not bring scented items such as scented toiletries, gum, sunscreen, insect repellant, and candles into the tent, as scents attract wildlife.
6. Respect Wildlife Distances and Behavior
Always stay well away from wild animals (e.g., 100 yards for bears), never feed them, and if an animal approaches, slowly move to a secure place without running. Loud noises can often prevent escalation.
7. If Confronted by Dangerous Animals
In a bear or mountain lion encounter, don't run; stand your ground, raise your arms, and make loud noises. If necessary, use bear spray as a deterrent, with a focus on safely retreating and not running or turning your back.
These combined practices involving bear spray, noise-making devices (air horns, bear bells), and careful food containment improve camper safety and reduce wildlife conflicts in bear country and other wild areas. Remember, a fed bear is a dead bear, so avoid attracting wildlife to your campsite.
[1] National Park Service. (n.d.). Bear Safety. Retrieved from https://www.nps.gov/subjects/bears/safety.htm
[2] UDAP. (n.d.). Bear Spray. Retrieved from https://www.udap.com/bear-spray
[3] The Journal of Wildlife Management. (2014). Effectiveness of Bear Sprays in North America. Retrieved from https://wiley.com/journals/10.1002/jwmg.1232
[4] Bear Smart. (n.d.). Campsite Safety. Retrieved from https://bearsmart.com/campsite-safety/
[5] Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics. (n.d.). Bear Safety. Retrieved from https://lnt.org/learn/outdoor-skills/bear-safety
1. When planning your travel, consider investing in travel guides focused on home-and-garden modifications to reduce the appeal of your campsite to wildlife, such as those available from Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics.
2. In addition to camping essentials, lifestyle choices like reading lifestyle blogs or magazines can provide valuable tips on how to integrate your camping adventure into a balanced, enjoyable lifestyle, offering a mix of camping techniques, cook recipes, and even relaxation exercises.
