It’s the season to hike and camp which also means it’s the season to be Bear Aware. Utah’s mountains and forests are home to thousands of black bears and the Division of Wildlife Resources is urging the public to be smart for the benefit of all. “Hikers and campers are out in full force,” shares DWR Outreach Manager Tonya Kieffer. “Be sure to clean up campsites and put things that smell into bags. Do not leave campsites littered with trash. Once a bear gets into trash it becomes habituated to people and you may be dooming the bear to be euthanized.” A bear safe campsite will store food, drinks and scented items securely, dispose of trash in bear-proof dumpsters, wipe down picnic tables, burn food off stoves or grills, pitch tents away from trails, sleep inside your tent, never approach or feed a bear, and report bear sightings to the campground host. When hiking stay alert and in large groups, make noise, stay away from animal carcasses, store scented items in airtight plastic bags, and always keep kids in the center of the group. If you encounter a black bear stand your ground, don’t run away or climb a tree, and know bear behavior. Stay calm and give the bear a chance to leave. If a black bear attacks, use bear spray, always fight back, or aim for the center of the bear and shoot to kill if you have a firearm. If you encounter an aggressive bear, call police or the Vernal DWR Office at 435-781-9453.
