Uh oh...
Photo by Courtney Holden
As the winter snowdrifts melt, and the days turn sunny and warm, more than just the tourists are coming out of hibernation. Black bears native to the habitat of Rocky Mountain National Park are lumbering back into action as well. And though they might look like oversized stuffed animals, surprising one on the trail will quickly show a less friendly side.
But don’t let bears deter you from the natural beauty of RMNP. In fact, the bears are an important part of what makes RMNP such a special place. Park officials simply warn both tourists to the area and residents of the area to be “bear aware.”
After a long hike or a taxing run, I’ve claimed that I could “eat as much as a bear.” In this case, what for me is an exaggeration, is actually quite literal. As the bears stir from their lengthy winter naps, they need large amounts of food to restart their digestive systems. Certainly not eating for a few months leads a 1000+ pound animal to get pretty hungry and not too particular about what he consumes.
Though the bears will instinctively be looking for their standard fare of berries, insects, plants and carrion, it’s difficult to pass up other accessible snacks. Garbage, pet food, bird feed and table scraps all look mighty delicious to a famished bear.
So keep these suggestions from Estes Park News in mind when you’re preparing for your camping trip:
1.) Store food, beverages and garbage in a secure facility or a bear-resistant container. Consider buying one from REI… a container, not a facility.
2.) Don’t leave dog food outside of your tent or trailer. Fido is likely to be irritated when Brother Bear eats his kibble.
3.) Be careful with garbage containers that smell of food; wash them thoroughly to remove the odor. This will not only prevent unwanted bears, but it might make your fellow campers more willing to swing by and say “hey.” There’s no need to feed the birds on your vacation, so don’t spread bird seed around your campsite. Let the birds fend for themselves and you won’t have to fend off a bear.
4.) Clean up after your campfire. Even if Uncle Dave’s voice is bad enough to keep the bears away while you’re awake, leftover food will entice them once your crew goes to sleep.
5.) If you’re car camping, keep food in a locked vehicle. You may not be able to teach an old dog new tricks, but an old bear is a different story. Many have figured out how to open a car door.
6.) For backcountry camping, hang food at least 10 feet off the ground, preferably from a branch that leans far away from the tree's trunk. Bears like food; bears like to climb trees. Plan accordingly.
7.) And for crying out loud, don’t intentionally feed the bears!
Bears that associate humans with food will become dangerous threats and will have to be euthanized. Remember the harsh saying, “A fed bear is a dead bear.”
Visiting RMNP can easily be both a fun and safe experience; just be sure to take necessary precautions.