Stock up your packs with flashlights and bear spray to keep in the tent at night. Animals You May Encounter While Camping. GORE-TEX, GTX, SURROUND, C-KNIT, PACLITE, OPTIFADE, CHEMPAK, CROSSTECH, PYRAD, PARALLON, GORE-SEAM, GORE WINDSTOPPER, GUARANTEED TO KEEP YOU DRY, and GORE and designs are trademarks of W. L. Gore & Associates. Ensure that all food, clothing, trash, toothpaste, etc., are packed away, especially when night falls. Speaking of smell, wolves are extremely good at detecting other animals, particularly ones that aren’t part of their pack. Be certain that shiny objects like aluminum foil, tin cans, jewelry, keys, and cutlery are stored out of sight, as they can attract raccoons. If snakes are a high concern of yours in a particular area, consider wearing sturdy boots and gloves when moving such things. Wild animal encounters cannot be avoided when you’re out in the wild, and when you’re camping outdoors too. Find a spot at a distance from any trails, since animals use them as well as humans. Lastly, when choosing your ideal camping site, try to go for a surface that is on higher ground, so that in case there is rain, you’ll be able to avoid excessive moisture, which often attracts wild animals. The sounds of the campfire crackling, voices, and other man-made sounds like car engines usually do the trick in scaring off wildlife. Make sure to take a heavy-duty flashlight with you. 9. Eliminate odors from food and supplies. This will keep it safe from skunks, racoons, snakes, bears, and other animals. Make sure there are trees nearby so you can hang your cooler, backpack, and garbage bags. The latest on GORE-TEX products, events, and experiences. Always make noise while hiking. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. This goes for the kids, too. © Copyright 2020 W. L. Gore & Associates GmbH. Make sure to be incredibly clean. It might seem strange, but being loud will keep many of the furry creatures out of sight. Seal uneaten food in airtight containers stored in bear-proof canisters, or suspend it from a bear wire away from sleeping areas. I have found after research that a battery powered strobe light keeps the animals and critters away after my fire has burnt out and I am asleep in my tent. Sign up to learn about new products, upcoming events, and other news from the GORE-TEX brand. If a big animal comes around on the other hand, the general rule is to keep away. Raccoons and bears are attracted to the smell of peppermint. Fallen trees, piles of locks, leaf piles, and rocky areas are friendly to snakes and insects. Hitting the Trails: A Quick Guide to Getting into Trail Running, How Your Landscaping is Affecting Your Energy Consumption, Camping and Snakes: The Complete Summer Survival Guide. Store your “cooking clothes” in an airtight bag or container to reduce the risk of any wildlife catching a whiff. How To Protect From Dangerous Animals While Camping. When we venture into the wild, and into the habitat of black bears and grizzlies, it’s important to take a few precautions that will protect us and bears. Their behavior is sometimes unpredictable. Camping can be a great experience, but you don't want to share it with the local wildlife. Yell, make a lot of noise, and stand your ground. If you aren't a gun guy, I would recommend bear spray. Twyggy nailed this one, the best defense against animals is to understand them. 1. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. They have a lot of information about the animals in the area and usually have very good two or three sentence explanations of … Shout often and avoid thick brush. Water is attractive to snakes, mosquitoes, raccoons, and. Definitely not necessary, but it is a precaution that might be suitable for some. Have you ever gone to a restaurant and can distinctly smell the food even hours after you’ve left? 2. Good hunting and camping habits dictate that you should wear colored clothing. Thoroughly wash all cooking utensils after use. Seriously. It will help keep the moisture away. Never use the same tree as other campers — this will make it a target. Hang the cooler at least 20 feet off the ground and at least 8 feet from the trunk of a tree. They aren’t your pets and they aren’t kind as kind as they can be cute and innocent-looking. Now, there are certainly times where animals are stalking you and wanting to attack. Seeing a bear in the wild is a special treat for any visitor to a national park. All other trademarks are properties of their respective owners. We're committed to innovation in life sciences, aerospace, and beyond. Getting outdoors for a camping adventure is an enjoyable, freeing experience that is almost never dangerous, but it certainly doesn’t hurt to be prepared in the event of an unlikely guest. Let someone know where you are going and when you plan to return. If it is a predator, do you best to never turn your back and run, this will trigger their predator instinct. Consider a bear proof cooler, especially for car camping. Wooded areas are good homes for mosquitoes, other insects, snakes, raccoons, and bears. Mosquitoes are deterred by the following: Rodents, which includes squirrels, chipmunks, moles, mice, and skunks, are repelled by the following: These masked bandits are known for disliking: No one wants to wake up to the sound of a bear outside their tent. Pack freeze-dried food and avoid cooking meat if possible. The best way to keep animals away from your campsite is to pick an ideal place to camp. Take a pack with you in your camping supplies and put them everywhere: in your cooler, tent, sleeping bag, and backpack. Although wild animals may seem like an obvious danger, it's not very likely that you'll be killed by them. Keeping yourself cool and dry at your campsite is important if you want to avoid mosquitoes. To keep your food, supplies and gear away from bears, there are several different ways to keep them out of a bears reach. Set up your tent or sleeping area at least 200 feet from where you cook, store items with artificial smells, or where you drain the water you wash in. With that said, if you have close-by neighbors, don’t cause a full out ruckus. If you’re having trouble doing this with one tree, you can hang a rope between two trees at least 16 feet apart. When we set off for a remote, forest-y location to spend the next few days relaxing with the RV or unwinding in a tent, there will be animals to look for while camping. The same happens in the wilderness. All it takes is one wrong move in the woods and you could have an unwanted guest at your campsite. These cookies do not store any personal information. Staying on the path and in … Blue Ridge Outdoors is your guide to fly fishing in the Southeast, moutain biking in the Blue Ridge and adventure travel from the Highlands to the Piedmont. Extreme protection for firefighters, police, and other professionals. Do not approach or surprise wild animals. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. With that said, I’m here to provide you with some solid camping advice on how to deal with wild animals near your campsite. Black bears roam all over the Blue Ridge Mountains with a population of 300,000 in the U.S. alone, making them a common concern amongst campers. Learn how to keep animals out of your campsite here! Sign up to learn about new products, upcoming events, and other news from the, The GORE-TEX Brand may use my email address, provided above, to send me relevant marketing communications, based on my preferences. ... Make sure the bag hangs down a few feet from the branch to prevent smaller animals from crawling out on the branch to get it. Take Steps to Prevent Attracting Wildlife into Camp: Keep a clean camp. Cooking food with strong smells can attract bears from far away since their sense of smell is much more acute than ours. Clean up any pet food or animal feed on or near your property Since mountain lions bury their meals, stay away from carcasses while hiking. It’s OK if you never learned that in class — we’ve got everything you need to know covered here. Although RVs and cabins offer more amenities and safety compared to tents, about 60% of campers still report opting for tent camping . 7. Wild animals generally do not come close to the light. Fire — it also eliminates moisture and darkness, Light (for nocturnal rodents, like skunks). You can get a couple of animal sprays such as bear sprays. A place with some elevation will be helpful in case it rains. If you notice the animal stalking you and you are unable to walk away, make yourself as intimidating as possible. Of course you should study the area and stock up on gear, but you should also know how to keep animals away when you make camp for the night. Tall grasses are good homes for snakes and insects. All that’s left to do is enjoy your trip! Get on the ground and lay flat on your stomach. The easiest way to prevent carbon-monoxide poisoning while camping is to always keep stoves and grills outside of your tent and away from your shelter. You’re aware of how to handle food while camping, and you know the extra steps to take to make sure you can sleep undisturbed by fauna. Watch your food. That’s why I encourage you to keep an eye on your pets when outdoors. You know how to choose the right spot to make camp. While camping in the desert you'll want to keep a watchful eye out for these creatures. Of course, the number one thing animals will be drawn to is your food. Dampareas are natural homes for insects, and bears like to eat the vegetation that grows there. An alternative to always holding the other end of the leash is buying a spiral stake to put in the ground to keep the pup close by while granting him or her a little freedom to roam. Bring a weapon for self-defense Even if you think the landscape is safe and asked the veterans if there are wild animals in that area, always be prepared. Another part of campsite cleanliness is making sure that you don’t leave any of your things out at night, even if they don’t contain food. You could keep them in a hard-sided vehicle, a certified food storage container, or put it all in a bag and hang it between two trees at least 10 feet from the ground. As much as you may love and trust your pets to stay close by, it’s not worth the risk of letting them roam off on their own. If you go camping in a state or national forest, talk to the park rangers. It may not sound pleasant, but avoiding these things can keep you safe. Once you’ve picked a campsite, there are other measures you should take to ensure that animals aren’t interested in visiting. For information on the wildlife in the area, you can seek out tips from the local park ranger or wildlife official. The only time you should run from a wild animal is when you are certain you can make a getaway. There should be a water source near enough for hydration, washing and cleaning, but far enough away to avoid the animals seeking it out — about 200 feet should be good. How to Keep Animals Away From Your Campsite. After you pack up your food, garbage and clothes, wash your hands meticulously to get rid of lingering odors. If your cooler is on its last leg and you are looking for an upgrade, there are always certified bear tested coolers that are sure to keep your food and beverages cold and the bears locked out. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Choose a flat, open area with low or no grass to keep snakes and bugs away. If you are wearing a jacket, raise it above your head. Keep your animals and pets safe while unattended. Wild animals have an specific diet and feeding them with food they are not used to could affect their health. Even if you've brought weapons along to protect yourself, it's usually better just to give these animals a wide berth. Your campsite, that is. Our 5 tips to help protect the environment while camping. An open area will also protect you in case an animal wanders in. To decrease the risk of tick bites, choose a camping spot in a dry, sunny location. Eliminate odors from food and supplies. Tie each end of the rope to a rock so it’s easy to throw over a branch. Stop by the store and grab the basics. They can also cover the smell of food. In addition to finding animals (and the law) a concern, your other concern is hunters. If the smaller wild animals come around, the general rule is to not entertain them. Here’s a list of 10 things you can do to keep your family camping trip safe and secure from potentially dangerous animals. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. If you can find a place with a constant breeze, that will help keep insects away. Many bugs are attracted to body heat and sweat, so keeping cool while camping can go a long way toward making yourself less attractive to insects. Camping can be an amazing adventure if you’re properly prepared. I understand that I can unsubscribe from these communications at any time. Take a … However, in the instance of getting a bit too close to a bear or other animal, you should brush up on what to do in the event that you are in a face-to-face situation. level 2. Employment: Jobs at Blue Ridge Outdoors Magazine. Enclosed areas can make them feel trapped and cause aggression. An easy fix is using unscented towelettes to wipe yourself down. This includes marshes, still water, and the bottoms of valleys. Wear thick clothing to help protect yourself in the event that you do injure yourself, fall down a cliff, or get bitten by a wild animal. Although rare, attacks on humans have occurred, inflicting serious injuries and death. This means knowing where specific animals like to make their home. For example, camping in a cabin provides you with full beds and bunk beds, while sleeping in a tent will require you to bring an air mattress, sleeping bag or other accommodations. If you want the best protection, keep your clothes layered. One of the sharpest tools you can have up against wildlife is knowledge and familiarity with the woods you will be setting up camp in. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. Do not hike off the trail or at night! It's unlikely you'll be killed by a wild animal if you keep a safe distance. How to protect yourself from wild animals ... a couple encountered a cougar while hiking in California's Sequoia National Park and another cougar was spotted in a neighborhood in Tooele. Here are five tips to protect yourself from wild animals in the forest. Knowing this, here are some tips for choosing the best campsite possible. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. Keeping your provisions safe will decrease the risk of animal attack, and make your journey out into nature a fun experience. 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