tips from Total Escape

As for storing food inside cars:

If I am primitve car camping on a dirt road area that does not have campgrounds or bear lockers, I store food in my SUV convertible vehicle on the front floorboards with towel over it - with the car alarm set. Any large animal trying to break in for food will get blasted with alarm noise & run away, plus the noise will wake us up.

 

If a bear does get into your camp area:

• Make as much noise as possible: yell, bang pots/pans, whistle, air horn
• Raise your hands up to appear larger
• Get your entire camp group together, join hands and spread out everyone at the camp should be outside the tents in order to be as effective as possible
• Throw rocks & small objects
• Try to get to your car for protection & honk the horn
• If a bear charges at you, drop to the ground and curl up in a tight ball. Cover your head, face and vital areas. Play dead.

If you encounter a bear on a hiking trail:

• ·Make as much noise as possible while walking. Hum, sing, talk to the birds.
• If a bear approaches: stand still, slowly retreat, say a few calming words in a friendly voice and never make eye contact
• If a bear charges at you, drop to the ground and curl up in a tight ball. Cover your head, face and vital areas. Play dead.