Planning for a late-summer camping adventure? Bear experts working in the Tahoe region have some advice to share.
As the Lake Tahoe Basin is prime bear territory, as well as many other local areas, bears are gearing up for the leaner fall and winter months and are becoming particularly active and persistent in their quest for food. Yet, this often leads them to human food and garbage.
Alexia Ronning, an environmental scientist with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, emphasizes the importance of educating yourself about bear behavior and ecology.
Bears have a keen sense of smell and a strong desire for food, especially as they enter the hyperphagia period, where they must fatten up for winter.
If you have a late-season camping trip, you are urged to follow campground rules diligently and report any bear incidents to the appropriate authorities. To stay safe and keep bears at bay, Ronning suggests carrying bear spray, air horns, whistles, or pots and pans to make noise that will deter bears and alert fellow campers.
Alyson Cheney, another environmental scientist on the team, points out that proper food storage is crucial. Bear-proof containers or bear-resistant ice chests are essential to prevent bears from accessing your food. Once bears get a taste, they are more likely to return.
Kyle Garrett, the third member of the bear team, highlights the need for properly securing bear boxes and dumpsters, as even conscientious campers sometimes overlook this crucial step.
Visitors can play a vital role in keeping bears wild by following these guidelines and remaining vigilant, especially during the hyperphagia period. For more information on bear-safe camping, you can refer to California State Parks’ Bear Facts and Tips video and visit CDFW’s Keep Me Wild/Sharing Space Outdoors web page.
