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