Selecting a Campsite
In bear country, camp location is important. You can reduce the risk of bear visits by avoiding certain locations when making camp:
1. Avoid bear feeding areas, including floodplains, berry patches, recent burns, wet meadows, and streams or rivers where fish are spawning.
2. Do not camp in locations where bears have been a problem in the past. Avoid well-used or littered campsites.
3. Avoid making camp where bear signs, such as tracks or droppings are evident.
4. Avoid sites where vegetation or terrain limit visibility and might hide a bear, and locations where sounds such as rushing water may mask the sound of an approaching bear.
5. Before you leave on your trip, consult the local Renewable Resource Officer for advice on camp placement in the area where you intend to travel.
Camp Layout
Proper layout of your camp, regardless of its size, can help prevent bear problems:
1. Do not sleep in the open (without a tent).
2. Minimize the number of tents in camp. A few big tents are better than many small ones. Place them in a line or semicircle with enough space between them to allow a bear an easy escape route
3. Maintain special areas for cooking and food storage at least 100 metres from sleeping quarters, in an area visible from camp.
4. Place latrine facilities at least 100 metres from sleeping quarters, in an area visible from camp.
5. In long-term camps, place skirting around all raised structures, including steps, to keep bears from crawling under them. Install windows near building exits so people can check for bears before going outside.