Newberry National Volcanic Monument
Deschutes National Forest

General Information Bear Safety Truly wild bears shy away from humans, but these intelligent animals learn quickly. Just one experience with human food can change their natural behavior. Yet the bears are not to blame. Driven by their powerful sense of smell, black bears are drawn by the odors of human food. Once bears get this food, they continue to seek it out -- from backpacks, picnic tables, ice chests, and cars. They cause thousands of dollars in property damage searching for human food and garbage. When their instinctive fear of people fades, these unnaturally aggressive, destructive bears often must be killed. Moving them to another area is usually not a solution. Bears can only be relocated to where there is good bear habitat but these area often already have bears, therefore relocated bears must often move on to find new territory. They usually return to where they were trapped or die trying. Eventually, many of these bears must be killed. All bears in Oregon are American black bears, Ursus americanus. This name can be misleading, as they may be black, brown, cinnamon, or even blonde in color. On the Deschutes National Forest, bears are a common occurrence at all campgrounds in Newberry Caldera, and will occasionally be encountered at Cultus Lake, Elk Lake, and in some locations in the Wilderness Areas.

GENERAL INFO REC FACILITES POINTS OF INTEREST LAVA LANDS V.C. NEWBERRY VOLCANO TRIVIA

To Store Food Properly

Put all food and related supplies, including ice chests, in vehicle trunk. Seal foods in containers to minimize smells. Bears recognize ice chests and cans, so store them the same as food. Also store grocery bags, garbage and scented articles such as soap, sunscreen, hairspray and toothpaste.

In vehicles without trunks, all food and related supplies, including ice chests, must be stored out of sight. Cover them completely to hide them from view.

In Picnic Areas

• Store all food and related supplies properly, including ice chests.
• Never leave food unattended.
• Dispose of all garbage properly.

In Campgrounds

• Store food and related supplies out of sight inside a vehicle.
• Never keep food in your tent.
• Never leave camp unattended if food is not stored.
• Store food day and night. Bears may enter campsites during the day, even if people are there.
• Keep a clean camp. Put trash in bear-proof cans and dumpsters regularly.

While Day-hiking

• Properly store all food and related supplies left at the trailhead, including ice chests.
• Don't leave your backpack and walk off to take a photograph. Bears know packs are a source of food.

Back Country Camping

• Backpackers are encouraged to carry and use bear-resistant food containers. These portable containers are the most effective way for backpackers to store food in wilderness areas. All other techniques are considered only delay tactics, as bears are able to defeat most other backcountry food storage methods.

Never approach any bear, regardless of its size.

Never feed a bear to take pictures or to get a closer look.

If you encounter a bear, act immediately

• Stay Calm - Don't run or make sudden movements.
• Throw small objects toward the bear from a safe distance.
• Yell, clap your hands and bang pots together.
• If the bear continues to approach you, retreat slowly, don't run.
• If there is more than one person, stand together to present a more intimidating figure, but do not surround the bear.
• Use caution if you see cubs, as the mother may act aggressively to defend them.
• When done together, these actions have been successful in scaring bears away.
• Never try to directly retrieve anything once a bear has it.
• If you are attacked and cannot get away, fight back, kick, scream, yell -- be aggressive.
• Report all incidents to Department of Fish and Wildlife, or the Oregon State Police.

USDA Forest Service - Deschutes & Ochoco National Forests
Last Modified: Friday, 13 July 2007 at 15:58:09 EDT