| It goes without saying that there are risks | | | | want your fish more than you do. |
| when it comes to camping in bear country. | | | | |
| | | | 10. The minimum safe distance from a bear is |
| In fact, on 14 April 2006 this risk became a | | | | 50-100 yards. |
| tragic fact of life when a 6 year old girl | | | | |
| received fatal injuries from a black bear | | | | There are now a number of organizations that |
| while camping. | | | | are working passionately on increasing bear |
| | | | awareness in the community. The National |
| Campgrounds are now having to incorporate | | | | Spokesman of The National Be Bear Aware & |
| policies and procedures to ensure bear | | | | Wildlife Stewardship Campaign, General H |
| conservation and safety for campers. The DEC | | | | Norman Schwarzkopf, is dedicated to providing |
| Campgrounds in the Adirondack and Catskill | | | | teachers, college students, youth groups and |
| Forest Preserves in New York State are two | | | | guiding/hunting groups with educational |
| such campgrounds. Their staff have developed | | | | materials and training programs to teach |
| specific policies and procedures to minimize | | | | outdoor enthusiasts and residents up to date |
| the occurrence of bear problems at their | | | | safety skills and techniques for camping, |
| campgrounds while maintaining a healthy, | | | | hunting, viewing, hiking, photographing and |
| natural black bear population. | | | | living with wildlife like bears safely and |
| | | | responsibly. More information is available at |
| There are eight critical ways that you can | | | | the Campaign's website at |
| minimise the chances of getting hurt by bears | | | | |
| by following these simple tips: | | | | Along a similar vein, The 'Bear Safe |
| | | | Washington' program began in 1999 with |
| 1. Avoid traditional bear feeding areas. | | | | funding from the World Society for the |
| | | | Protection of Animals. This program of |
| 2. Avoid camp locations where bears have been | | | | presentations, brochures and seminars was |
| known to roam in the past. | | | | designed to raise awareness of all bear |
| | | | issues in Washington State. Its bear safe |
| 3. Avoid camping where you may have trouble | | | | guide can be downloaded at |
| seeing a bear through vegetation. | | | | |
| | | | The Get Bear Smart Society based in Whistler, |
| 4. Avoid camping where you see bear droppings | | | | Canada, educates people on dealing with bears |
| and fresh tracks. | | | | in the community and promoting innovative |
| | | | bear management practices. Supporters can |
| 5. Never feed wild bears. | | | | make donations by visiting their website at |
| | | | |
| 6. Store your food in a cooler which is | | | | SPECIAL OFFER: You may have heard of Karin |
| locked in the car | | | | Manning. She's the author of 101 Top Camping |
| | | | Tips For Beginners. She really wants you to |
| 7. Like most animals, bears are attracted to | | | | have better camping trips. That's why she |
| garbage so make sure your campsite is very | | | | created her own library of free camping books |
| clean | | | | including 101 Top Camping Tips For Beginners, |
| | | | Cheap Camping Tips For The Budget Camper, The |
| 8. Remember that behind every cute baby bear | | | | 2006 Guide To Dutch Oven Cooking, Smokin Hot |
| is a very overprotective bear mother! | | | | Chili Recipes For Campers On The Run and |
| | | | much, much more. Download your copies now at |
| 9. Stop fishing when bears are present. They | | | | before she decides to start charging. |