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Safety in
Grizzly and
Black Bear Country
Preparing and Storing
Food
 Do not underestimate the
ability of bears to find carelessly stored food. Improper food handling
is a major cause of bear problems. If you do not want your camp to
attract bears, you must take special care when preparing and storing
food.
- Restrict food to cooking and
storage areas. Do not take any food into your tent, not even
a stick of gum.
- Keep a clean camp. Wash
kitchen utensils after each meal.
- Grease is especially
attractive to bears. Wipe off the stove, tables, counters
and barbecues. Dump greasy dishwater into a pit away from
camp, and treat with lime or bleach to mask odours. Burn
excess grease in a hot fire, reuse it right away, or store
it in an airtight container.
- Produce few food wastes. If
you have leftovers, store them in airtight containers, then
use them as soon as possible.
- Eliminate or reduce food
odours. The smell of some food, such as bacon or fish, may
attract bears. Freeze-dried foods are relatively odorless.
- Wear a hat or kerchief while
cooking so your hair does not accumulate odours. Do not
sleep in clothes worn while cooking. Store them with your
food, away from your tent.
- Tent campers can store food in
an airtight cooler, a plastic bearproof container, a
plastic-lined duffel bag, or a heavy plastic bag at least
100 metres away from camp, suspended at least four metres
off the ground (if possible).
- Other
attractants such as dish detergent, toothpaste, etc. should be
stored in the same manner as food.
-
In camps with more permanent facilities, store food inside
locking steel trunks or in sealed metal drums. If the camp has a
refrigerator or freezer, fit them with locks and secure them at
night.
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