Colorado Parks and Wildlife reminds people about the importance of being aware of how to discourage human-bear encounters and avoid potential issues when heading out outside.
CampingSafely store food.Stash your trash.Clean dishes and grates after use. Clean up waste near camp sites.Never bring food or anything that smells like food into your tent.Lock vehicles and close car or recreational vehicle windows.Follow printed or natural signs.If a bear is seen in a camp, try to haze it away with loud noises and notify the campground host and other campers.HikingHike with friends.Stay alert at all times. Never feed a bear or approach a bear of any size.Respect forage areas.When encountering a bear on the trail, stay calm, stand still and speak to it in a firm tone of voice. Never run from a bear.If the bear does not leave, slowly wave your arms over your head to make yourself look big and continue speaking. If the bear huffs, stomps or pops its jaws, continue facing the bear and slowly back away.If the bear approaches, stand your ground. Yell or throw smaller rocks in the direction of the bear. If the bear gets within 40 feet, use bear spray. If a bear attacks, do not play dead – fight back with anything available.For more information about camping and hiking in bear country, visit www.cpw.state.co.us.