Bear Safety

• Do Not Feed Bears
• Do not Store Food in Sleeping Areas
• Secure human food, pet food, toiletries, and garbage in trunk of vehicle or bear-resistant food containers
• Keep a Clean Camp
• Travel in Groups
• Do Not Feed or Approach Bears
• Keep Kids Close and Pets Leashed
• Make Noise
• Carry Bear Spray
• Never Approach or Follow Bears
• Don’t Block a Bear’s Line of Travel
• Use Telephoto Lens, Spotting Scope, or Binoculars to Photograph or Observe Bears
• Maintain a Safe Distance

• Stay Calm. do not run!
• Stand Upright and Slowly Wave Your Arms
• Slowly Back Away from the Bear
• Do Not Come Between and Mother and her Cubs!
• If you are attacked, fight back aggressively!

• Black bears are very curious, intelligent, and have good memories!
• Bears have an excellent sense of smell which can span miles. Their eyesight is similar to a human’s.
• Do Not Feed Bears! Black bears can learn to associate people with food and easily become habituated to human food.
• Bears who are seeking food can be attracted to non-foods that have a smell, such as toothpaste, handi-wipes, soap, some medications, cooking utensils and grills, pet food, bird seed, empty food and drink containers, candy wrappers and other garbage.
• Never take the items listed above or food into your tent with you!
• The safest place for your food is in the trunk of your vehicle or in bear-resistant food storage containers.
• Keep a clean camp. Use recycling and trash bins instead of storing garbage in your campsite.
• Keep your pets leashed, and remove their food between meals.

What if I See a Black Bear in the Campground?

• If a bear approaches, do not run!
• Remain calm, group together, and pick up small children.
• Continue to face the bear and slowly back away.
• If the bear continues to approach, try to scare it away by making loud noises, such as banging pans, whistling and yelling.
• Make yourself as large and imposing as possible, such as by standing on a picnic bench and slowly waving your arms.
• If a black bear attacks, fight back aggressively, using everything in your power to deter the bear, including fists, rocks, sticks, etc.
• It is unlawful to feed wildlife, including bears!

• Let someone know where you are going and when you plan to return.
• Read all signs at the trailhead and carry bear spray. Hike during daylight hours.
• Hike in a group and keep children close at hand. Make plenty of noise.
• Keep your pets leashed.
• View or photograph bears from the trail or observation areas. Use binoculars, spotting scopes, or telephoto camera lens.
• Maintain a safe distance. Remember: distance = safety.
• If you see a bear in the distance, alter your route to avoid it.
• If a black bear approaches you, don’t run or play dead. Never drop your pack or food.
• Make noise, look large, slowly wave arms or jacket.
• If the bear still does not leave, stay calm, continue facing it and slowly back away.
• If a black bear charges or attacks, use bear spray and fight back aggressively, using everything in your power to deter the bear, including fists, rocks, sticks, etc.