Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks bear managers say that most of the time people not bears determine how an encounter with a grizzly or black bear turns out. Bears, given a choice, will avoid people.
The exception is a "food-conditioned" bear. Once a bear has contact with people and receives a reward in the form of food or trash it can quickly lose its fear of people.
"Most food conditioned bears are eventually taken out of the population for being a threat to human safety," Manley said. "Like drinking and driving, allowing a bear access to garbage is a recipe for disaster, especially for the bear."
Modifying camping practices, including the use of proper food storage and trash disposal, helps keep bears from being food conditioned and significantly reduces the likelihood of humans encountering a bear, according to the Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee, a group of organizations and individuals leading the recovery of the grizzly bear in the lower 48 states, agrees.
The IGBC also recommends carrying and knowing how to use bear pepper spray. Experts say bear spray will reduce human injuries and the number of grizzly bears killed in self-defense.
Other IGBC guidelines for backcountry hiking and camping include:
Hiking In Bear Country:
* Inquire about recent bear activity in the area.
* Let someone know where you are going and when you plan to return.
* Travel in groups and only during daylight hours.
* Make your presence known. Call out, clap you hands, or sing loudly, especially around loud streams, on windy days, and in areas of low visibility.
* Stay on trails to reduce the chance of sudden encounters.
* Be aware of your surroundings. Look for signs of bear-activity: tracks, scat, diggings, torn-up logs, and turned over rocks.
* Keep children close to you and within your sight at all times.
* Carry a bandanna, shirts, or hat to drop to distract an approaching bear. Do not drop your backpack! Leave it on for added protection.
* Taking pets on hiking tails is not advised and often not allowed. If you do take pets, keep them on a leash.
Camping In Bear Country:
* Set up cooking, eating, and supply area at least 100 yards from your sleeping area.
* Store food and odorous items in bear-resistant containers or hang at least 10 feet above ground and four feet from top and side supports. Plan your meals so there are no leftovers.
* Wash your hands thoroughly after cooking, eating, or handling fish or game.
* Pack out garbage—it is dangerous to bears. Never bury it!
* While in the backcountry, store garbage the same as food. Strain food particles from dishwater using a fine mesh screen and pack it out. Dump dishwater at least 100 yards from your tent.
* Deposit all garbage in wildlife-resistant trash containers or pack it out.
* Keep all food and food-related items inside a closed hard-sided vehicle or special bear-resistant container.
* Change your clothes before going to bed—do not sleep in the same clothes you cook in.
* Store cooking clothes in the same way you would food.
* Keep tents and sleeping bags completely free of food, drinks, and snacks at all times.
* Store personal items such as deodorants, toothpaste, make-up, soap and lotions with food and garbage when not in use as these products may attract bears.
* Don’t camp near bears’ natural food sources such as berry patches or spawning streams.
* Rehearse what you and others in your group will do day or night if a bear appears in your camp or while you’re hiking.
* Review local bear-related regulations before your outing.
* If camping in a campground, be aware that bears may wander through at any time of day or night and they are more likely to already be accustomed to finding food and dangerously unafraid of people.
* Remember that ice chests, coolers, boxes, cans, tents and soft-sided campers are not bear-resistant.
For more information on being bear aware, go to FWP’s home page at fwp.mt.gov and click on Be Bear Aware.
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