MissK
The last time I camped in bear country (a variety of states) I was married, so I wasn't too concerned ... plus my husband at the time had a 44 w/ him when we slept. For the first time, I'll be camping in bear country (Yellowstone) ... alone. I was reading on the nps.gov site re: bear safety. It mentions properly store beverages (even water). Don't mind my naive question ... but is it UNSAFE to have bottled water in my tent? Of course I will NOT have any food in my tent, nor toiletries (which I never knew about not having toiletries in a tent till I read the NPS info) ... but I'd like to at least have water. What's your thoughts? Safe or not?
Any other info I need to know? Things to consider?
Answer
You will be fine with a bottle of water inside your tent. The problem is when bears see bottles in the open they think food will be nearby.
Don't bring anything into your tent that has any scent, even if it is in an airtight container. If you store food or beverages in your vehicle, even if in an ice chest, place them in the trunk or over with a blanket so they cannot be seen by curious bear.
It is good practice to setup your cooking and dining area as far away from your tent as possible to avoid any lingering scent from attracting bears. 100 feet is recommended. It is also good practice to change your clothing and wash-up after dinner and before you enter your tent, again to remove as much scent as possible. Use scent-free soaps, deodorants and other hygienic products, and even if unscented, store them as you would your food. Trash also needs to be stored as you do food.
The good news is that improvements in wildlife management, particularly in regards to bears, has significantly reduced the incidents of bear raids and attacks in Yellowstone. There have been 43 bear attacks on humans in Yellowstone between 1980 and 2011, an average of 1.3 per year, out of 21 million overnight campers in the same period.
Contrary to a prior posting, you can legally carry firearms in most areas of the park, subject to Wyoming and Montana state firearms laws. Open carry is allowed without a permit. Concealed carry is allowed with a concealed carry permit (except that Wyoming residents do not require a CCW while in the Wyoming section of the park). Both Montana and Wyoming has reciprocal CCW agreements with other states. Firearms may not be brought into the visitor centers.
However, firearms are not considered the best protection against wildlife attack. If you are concerned for your safety you should consider keeping bear deterrent spray at hand for quick use. Use the spray only if you are threatened with attack, do not use it as prophylactic to try to keep bears from visiting your campsite. Bears will actually be attracted to the smell of the bear spray, so if you do need to discharge the spray to fend off an attack, immediately leave the area and notify the park rangers of the time and location of the encounter.
You will be fine with a bottle of water inside your tent. The problem is when bears see bottles in the open they think food will be nearby.
Don't bring anything into your tent that has any scent, even if it is in an airtight container. If you store food or beverages in your vehicle, even if in an ice chest, place them in the trunk or over with a blanket so they cannot be seen by curious bear.
It is good practice to setup your cooking and dining area as far away from your tent as possible to avoid any lingering scent from attracting bears. 100 feet is recommended. It is also good practice to change your clothing and wash-up after dinner and before you enter your tent, again to remove as much scent as possible. Use scent-free soaps, deodorants and other hygienic products, and even if unscented, store them as you would your food. Trash also needs to be stored as you do food.
The good news is that improvements in wildlife management, particularly in regards to bears, has significantly reduced the incidents of bear raids and attacks in Yellowstone. There have been 43 bear attacks on humans in Yellowstone between 1980 and 2011, an average of 1.3 per year, out of 21 million overnight campers in the same period.
Contrary to a prior posting, you can legally carry firearms in most areas of the park, subject to Wyoming and Montana state firearms laws. Open carry is allowed without a permit. Concealed carry is allowed with a concealed carry permit (except that Wyoming residents do not require a CCW while in the Wyoming section of the park). Both Montana and Wyoming has reciprocal CCW agreements with other states. Firearms may not be brought into the visitor centers.
However, firearms are not considered the best protection against wildlife attack. If you are concerned for your safety you should consider keeping bear deterrent spray at hand for quick use. Use the spray only if you are threatened with attack, do not use it as prophylactic to try to keep bears from visiting your campsite. Bears will actually be attracted to the smell of the bear spray, so if you do need to discharge the spray to fend off an attack, immediately leave the area and notify the park rangers of the time and location of the encounter.
Tent camping near Yellowstone at the end of May. Do you have any suggestions for areas and tips?
Donnie
I will be camping near Yellowstone at the end of May. I have never been. The area between Yellowstone and Tetons seems like a good general location ... but I really don't know anything. Ideally I will be in an area that allows dispersed camping. I welcome all suggestions, tips, and advice.
Answer
Check in at the ranger station give them an itinerary of your plans and get the dispersed camping permit. Some area's even for dispersed camping require a reservation ie wilderness area's. Be bear aware and know your limitations.
Check in at the ranger station give them an itinerary of your plans and get the dispersed camping permit. Some area's even for dispersed camping require a reservation ie wilderness area's. Be bear aware and know your limitations.
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