Campers and Hikers Advised to be Bear Aware - Thursday, July 17, 2008
Idaho Fish and Game reminds campers and hikers to be aware of bear etiquette in the woods. Campers and backpackers should be careful storing their food to avoid attracting black bears. If it smells good to you, it smells good to a bear too.
Tips for around camp include:
* Keep a clean camp. Pick up garbage and store it in a closed
vehicle or in a bag tied high in a tree.
* Store all food in a bear-resistant container, camper or
vehicle, or hang it from a rope between two trees at least 10 feet apart and 10 feet off the ground. Never keep food in your tent.
* Do not bury food scraps, pour out cooking grease, or leave
anything that might be tasty on the ground or in the fire pit. Also, store barbecue grills or other smelly cooking gear inside your vehicle or within a sealed container.
* 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.
For more information call the regional Fish and Game office. The Idaho Fish and Game Website at http://fishandgame.idaho.gov <http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/> offers more information about living with bears and other wildlife.
(full story)
|