The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources wants to remind Utahns of ways they can prevent conflicts with bears this summer and also what to do if you encounter a bear. Store your food, snacks and scented items (such as deodorant and toothpaste) in an area where a bear can’t get to them. If a bear does make its way to the area where you’re staying and it isn’t rewarded with food, it will likely move on. Keep your campsite’s cooking and eating areas clean to reduce the chance that a bear will smell food and trash and be lured to your camp. Always keep your campsite or cabin area clean because a dirty campsite can attract bears long after you’ve left. Never feed bears, not even cute little cubs. They are wild animals and natural predators so once a bear loses its fear of people, wildlife officers have to euthanize the animal to keep the public safe. In vulnerable neighborhoods and at cabins, make sure to store your trash in a secure location or bear-proof container. Also, make sure to clean your trash container regularly to eliminate some of the odors that attract bears. For more tips, visit wildlife.utah.gov.
