Bear-Proof Your Campsite

You need to take some precautions with your camping and hiking gear if you're camping in bear country. Bears have a tremendous sense of smell, and they are so strong they can rip out a car window or tear off a car door a lot easier than you might think.

Don't store any food inside your vehicle or tent. You need to use bear canisters, which are lightweight, durable plastic canisters that are virtually indestructible and bear-proof. Bears have learned how to get to food caches suspended from tree branches, so this old backpacker trick is no longer safe, either.

Most parks recommend these bear canisters for all food, and some even require them. If you're going camping in an area with bears, don't take any chances. Carry bear canisters, bear repellent, and watch out for bears near the campsites. Report them if you see them, and keep food prep to a minimum, too. Bears can be deadly, and they like human food, so take care not to feed the bears!