Re: Bear Food Ediquette While Camping Question CO

Oh, yeah. I have a great picture of a large pile of bear scat well above timberline just below a 13,200 pass in Colorado (Triple Pass). It puts to rest the question about the bear in the woods.

For black bears in Colorado: don't chase them; don't try to get in the picture with them; don't hit them with rocks (it hurts them just like you and you don't want an enraged 300+ pound junk yard dog anywhere near your camp); don't feed them, always make it noisy when they are close to camp (it is supposed to scare them and alert other campers in the area); always make it clear to them that you will aggressively (up a point) protect your food; don't charge them; back off when they charge you; if they have your food - its theirs - just accept the fate and get a picture for evidence. Just note, that the rangers will probably take it out on you if the bear has YOUR food.

If there is a black bear near, quietly and slowly get out your camera. It is a rare photo op you will want to take advantage of. Just don't be stupid about it. If you are eating, simply get the food out of sight and protect it or into a closed bear cannister or a pack that is on your back.