Going Camping and need info on do's and don'ts in regards to BEARS.....Can You Help?

Bears have lived in the San Bernardino mountains for hundreds of years. Grizzly bears were here first, but they were quickly killed by the pioneers in the 1890s. Black bears were introduced in the mid-twentieth century and are much more tolerant of people. We now have a stable Black bear population in the forest. Bears Are Wild Animals Keep in mind that no matter how cute or cuddly bears may seem: They are very powerful and potentially dangerous wild animals. Take these precautions to avoid an unnecessary confrontation: Bear Cubs: Bears usually avoid people, but their responses are unpredictable. A female may be quickly provoked if her cubs are disturbed or if you come between her and the cubs. Make noise! Bears don't like surprises. Make your presence known by singing, talking, wearing bells, or making other noises. Hike in groups. Do not hike after dark. Dogs: Dogs can disturb a bear and lead it back to you. If dogs are permitted in the area, obey the leash law and don't allow your dog to run free. Watch for signs: Be alert. If you notice bears, dead animals, or bear signs such as tracks, droppings, or diggings, you should choose another area. Food Attracts Bears Bears are attracted to human food which offers a powerful "reward" for bears to come into your campsites. Bears can develop a bad habit after just one reward. Bears that do obtain human food or garbage may lose their fear of people and become a danger. Problem bears sometimes have to be destroyed to protect visitors. You can take some basic precautions to prevent this from happening. Store food in your car trunk. Otherwise, place food in a bag, backpack, or pannier and hang from a tree branch at least ten feet above the ground and four feet from the tree trunk. Do not store food in tents. Garbage: Pack out all garbage. Never bury it. No greasy food: Avoid cooking smelly or greasy foods. Sleep some distance uphill from your cooking area and food storage site. Keep sleeping bags and personal gear clean and free of food odor. Don't sleep in the same clothes you wore while cooking. Hunters: Where hunting is permitted, keep game meat out of reach of bears. Fishy Stuff: Dispose of fish entrails by puncturing the air bladder and dropping in deep water where it will decompose naturally. Horses: Horse pellets should be stored the same as food. If You Encounter a Bear Stay calm: It will probably leave you alone. Do not make abrupt moves or noises that would startle the bear. Give the bear plenty of room: Slowly detour, keeping upwind so the bear will not get your scent.

Do NOT get between a mother bear and her cubs. Dispose of all refuse in the appropriate containers. These should be located away from the campsites in a good campground. ALL food and cooking gear should be either stored in the car or in the "bear box" if one is provided. Clothing that you wore while cooking should also be stored in the car at end of day. Bears have an unbelievable sense of smell. If hiking any of the trails, make noise! Sing, talk loudly, tie a "bear bell" on your arm or hiking stick. You do not want to surprise a bear.

We just came back from a camping trip and do not put anything in you car at all not even in the trunk. Bears will rip that open. Keep EVERYTHING in the locking bear box. We left a cooler out but strapped it down. 2:30 in the morning we saw a bear ripping off the handle. We yelled and chased it off. They only want food and easy food at that. They do not want to hurt you and they will run off. They will only stay if they get in your food.

pretty much like the rest of these guys ...lock up your food in a bear box if you have one...keep anything out of your tent that might smell remotely yummy to a bear..candy etc....are you camping next to your car???...that is not camping....just keep food items away from your tent....get some pepper spray if you can't take your shotgun....bear spray works 80% of the time....burn all garbage completly if you don't have access to a bear proof trash can....have fun...

Don't sleep in the same closes you slept in Maybe if you go somewhere else to big bear mountain your friend won't be freaked out

Darlin, you need info from someone who SERIOUSLY knows what you should and shouldn't do. Have you gone on line to the park site and possibly e-mails with a park ranger as well. This is serious but with the right precautions, you should be fine and able to enjoy yourself. You can't always believe EVERYTHING you hear. Good luck and enjoy your camping!