Bear protection necessary when camping

THE OLYMPIAN

Originally published July 24

When camping in bear country, food and other pleasant-smelling items must be secured in bags hung from a rope strung between two trees at least 10 feet off the ground and 6 feet out from each tree.

Bear wires are provided in some national park campgrounds.

Food also can be stored in bear-proof containers -- particularly for campers in high country where there are no trees. The canisters are effective against raccoons and rodents, too.

For hikers in Olympic National Park, bear-proof food canisters are available at the Wilderness Information Center or most staffed ranger stations through a loaner program with a requested $3 donation.

The park has about 700 canisters and provides after-hours return bins. For people who forget, it costs about $4 to return the canisters by mail.

-Ranger stations where canisters are available: South shore Quinault, north shore Quinault; Forest/Park service information station in Forks; Hoh, Mora, Ozette, Eagle, Sol Duc, Elwha, Dosewallips, Staircase and Hoodsport.

-Some South Sound stores sell the bear-proof containers for about $75.

Bear pepper spray

The spray should be at least 8 ounces -- enough for several sprays -- be EPA approved and have a range of at least 25 feet. It should be handy so when you need it you don't have to dig through your pack.

A can of bear pepper spray sells for about $50.

Camp tips

-Don't keep food in the tent.

-Secure food before setting up camp.

-Keep all food not being cooked or eaten secured.

-Keep food being cooked within arms' reach.

-Secure all pleasant-smelling items, including toothpaste and sunscreen, along with food.

-Keep food and cooking away from your tent.

-Don't sleep in the clothes you cook in.

-Don't feed the bears.

-Hunters should gut and hang game away from camp.

The Olympian Copyright 2001

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