Backpacking in bear country can be dangerous if certain safety protocols are not firmly adhered to. Black bears are typically less aggressive than grizzly bears but if they smell food, they will likely try to find it. For that reason, always use backcountry bear pulley systems to suspend all of your scented items (chewing gum, candy, food, deodorant, toothpaste, personal hygiene products, etc.) so that they are out of reach from bears. If bear pulley systems are not available where you are backpacking, utilize paracord to hoist scented items to a tree branch that is high above the ground. Please keep in mind that nothing is certain though, since bears are excellent climbers.
These are the only items that I allow in my tent while backpacking in bear country. I also change clothes before turning in for the night, as clothing that I wore while cooking and eating may smell like food. Bears have an excellent scent of smell and the best way to avoid a bear encounter is to try not to attract the bears. If I am confronted by a bear, I do have an air horn and firearm inside my tent. Most bears will flee if they hear an air horn but it’s good to have a proper firearm as backup. I carry bear spray on the front of my backpack while backpacking but never place bear spray inside my tent at night because if sprayed, it could affect both the bear and me and that would be a potentially deadly situation. #Bear #BearCountry #Backpacking #Backcountry
