Part of a series of articles titled Bear Country.
Next: Bear Attacks
Article
Storing your food and disposing of garbage properly can mean life or death to a bear.
Bears learn quickly and will return to areas where they find food. Not only can this be dangerous for people, but it is also harmful to bears.
By eating human food, bears can lose their preference for natural food sources and their fear of humans. Over time, these bears may begin approaching people in search of food. They can become aggressive, unpredictable, and dangerous. Bears looking for human food and garbage can damage property and injure people. These bears pose a risk to public safety and are often euthanized as a result. Studies have also shown that bears that lose their fear of people have a shorter life expectancy than bears that feed on natural foods and are afraid of people. As bears become comfortable around humans, they are more likely to be in areas where humans are. These bears are at risk of being euthanized to protect people, getting hit by a car, and becoming an easy target for poachers. Learn more by watching the Yosemite Nature Notes 26: Black Bears video.
Bears have an insatiable appetite and an amazing sense of smell, and they consider anything with a scent to be "food." This can include canned goods, bottles, drinks, soaps, cosmetics, toiletries, trash, ice chests, sunscreen, bug repellant, fuel, items used for preparing or eating meals, etc. All of these items must be stored properly.
Never leave your food scraps behind. Leaving behind food scraps can attract bears to the area and make them associate people with food sources. This can lead to dangerous situations for both you and the bears. Always pack out your food scraps, garbage, or toiletries in resealable bags or containers. Never leave these items unattended when hiking.
Depending on which national park you decide to visit and what types of bears are present there, regulations differ for how best to store your food. Some parks require food lockers or bear-resistant food containers ("bear canisters"), while others allow visitors to hang food from a tree in a food bag. Bear canisters should always be locked and stored properly when not being used. Not following those rules may result in fines, confiscation of food, towing of cars, or other penalties to protect visitors, property, and bears. Read below to learn some common food storage tips that can help you have a more enjoyable visit to your national park.
In Picnic Areas and Campgrounds
In Hotel Rooms and Cabins
Part of a series of articles titled Bear Country.
Next: Bear Attacks
Last updated: March 21, 2023