Camping is a fun adventure, but one wrong move in the woods and you could find yourself in the company of potentially dangerous animals. Here are steps to avoid confrontations with wildlife while in a campsite and stay safe during the trip.
Eliminate odors from food and supplies
Many campgrounds feature bear-resistant trash receptacles for reducing the chances of bears smelling food odors. You can also keep food and supplies in a hard-sided vehicle, a certified food storage container, or a bag that hangs between two trees at least 10 feet from the ground.
Stay out in the open
This means a location that’s not too close to water, heavy foliage, or a hiking path, which are common wildlife habitats. Many animals, too, use hiking trails as a way to easily traverse their hunting grounds. In addition, building your campsite out in the open makes you easy to notice as well as avoid.
Maintain a clean campsite
As the single most important thing one can do to avoid wildlife encounters on a camping trip, maintaining a clean spot prevents animals from wandering into your area because they smell something different that makes them curious. And it’s not just food, but also perfume, dirty clothes, coffee, and cooking fires.
Some creatures are a bigger nuisance than bears
Note that squirrels, chipmunks, and other rodents can be more bothersome, but the good news is that the rules that work in deterring bears also work for these smaller animals. So wildlife-proof your camping area like you would your home, and you can expect to have a good time.
Baystate Wildlife has been in the industry since 2001 as a specialist in trapping, removal, and exclusion of all nuisance wildlife in a humane and safe way. It is open 24 hours a day to offer its services to clients when they need them, and services the greater Boston area and beyond, from Gloucester to Falmouth. Read more on this site.
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