Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Proper Use
» Carry within easy and immediate reach - not in your pack
» Wait for the bear to be in close range to use
» Aim spray toward the ground
» Make sure you are not downwind
BEARS & FOOD
Bears are obsessed with food and rarely 'unlearn' knowledge acquired in finding it. In the
past, Yellowstone's bears were regularly fed and given access to garbage dumps while
tourists watched in grandstand seating. While this tradition no longer continues, visitors
are unnecessarily careless and the problem persists. Conditioned to associate humans with
food, large numbers of 'habituated' bears have harassed picnickers or aggressively raided
camps. Nowadays, even mildly troublesome bears are usually destroyed. Don't let your
carelessness result in the death of one of these magnificent creatures.
» Never leave food unattended, even in a backpack.
» Use the bear boxes at developed campgrounds or lock food in your car.
» Never store food or eat in your tent.
» Don't sleep in clothes worn while fishing or cooking.
» Don't camp downwind of your food stash.
In Yellowstone National Park, backcountry campers must hang food and scented items
such as garbage, toothpaste, soap and sunscreen at least 10ft above the ground, 4ft from
trunks and 200ft from their tents. Carry a robust stuff-sack attached to a 35ft length of
rope. First weight the sack with a rock and throw it over a high, sturdy limb at least 4ft
from the tree trunk. Gently lower the sack to the ground with the rope, stash everything
with food smells and perfumes, and then pull the sack back up close to the tree limb. Fin-
ally, tie off the end of the rope to another trunk or tree limb well out of the way. Back-
country campgrounds usually supply a food pole, which simplifies the process.
In Grand Teton National Park, the park regulations have changed. Hanging food is no
longer a prerequisite; instead, backpackers must purchase and use approved bear-resistant
canisters. Backcountry permitting locations have these available for free.
Bison, Moose, Mountain Lions & Wolves
One of the memorable sights in Yellowstone is watching an amateur photographer encour-
age their loved one to edge toward a seemingly tame, fuzzy bison for an exclusive photo
