As outdoor enthusiasts gear up for the holiday weekend, the Arizona Game and Fish Department is urging everyone to stay vigilant and “bear aware” during their adventures. Although bears typically avoid human interaction, the lure of food can draw them closer to campsites and hiking trails.
Amy Gleich from Game and Fish emphasized the importance of food safety in bear country. “It’s really important to keep any food source away from your tent and your camping area to keep it secure, bears have excellent sense of smell, and human food smells good to them,” she noted.
To minimize the risk of bear encounters, Gleich advises campers to set up their sites away from water sources, where bears often search for food.
Camping Precautions
- Ensure food and potential attractants are secured and out of reach of bears. Never store food inside tents.
- Avoid burning leftover food or trash on the grill.
- Select camping sites away from areas where bears might forage, such as near creeks, rivers, or other bodies of water.
Hiking Safety
- Avoid using scented lotions or perfumes.
- Hike in groups or make noise to alert bears of your presence.
- If hiking with pets, keep them on a leash at all times.
What to Do if You Encounter a Bear
- Do not run.
- Slowly back away while keeping eye contact with the bear.
- Try to appear larger and more intimidating by standing tall and waving your arms or a jacket, and make loud noises like yelling or banging on pots and pans.
- Throw objects and shout at the bear.
- If attacked, defend yourself with everything at your disposal, including fists, sticks, rocks, or bear pepper spray.
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