When you are staying in the wilderness, you are bound to run into wildlife – it’s part of what makes the experience great! But unwanted wildlife can be scary and destructive! Use the tips below to help prevent unwanted guests – and the damage they can bring with them!
- Look for tracks before setting up camp: If you see tracks in the campsite you are setting up in, evaluate if the animal who left them could be a threat. For example, a deer track is not likely to pose a problem, but a bear or wolf track could mean that the animal comes through that area looking for food. If you are concerned about the animal returning, let the park ranger or main office at the campground know – most-likely they will be able to give you a new campsite!
- Do not attempt to feed wildlife of any size: Feeding the cute chipmunk that is hanging around your picnic table can seem like a good idea. However, any food left behind by the cute little creatures in your campsite can be an attraction to larger animals. Even the smell of the food could attract a much larger and unwanted guest! Obey posted signs and never feed the wildlife!
- Scents are more powerful that you think: Keep food in animal proof, airtight containers. Just because a container doesn’t leak, doesn’t mean the smells can’t get out! Wild animals can easily smell things in plastic bags – and easily rip them open to get at the food inside. Raccoons and bears are even capable of opening coolers and plastic food containers. If you are unsure if your containers are animal proof and airtight, lock them in your camper, RV, or the truck of your car.
- Keep things clean: Food scraps, wrappers, drippings, and garbage may all smell like a meal to a hungry animal. Be sure to put these items in approved garbage cans, away from your campsite. If you cannot dispose of items right away, try to put them in an airtight container and lock them in your camper, RV, or trunk. Think twice about putting garbage into a campfire – will it smell like food while it is burning? Clean any cooking equipment used in order to eliminate the smell of food from the surfaces. Any items that are approved for disposal outside (dishwater, apple cores, etc) should be buried in a hole that is dug away from the campsite.
- Think of ALL the surfaces that food may have touched: When cleaning up after a meal, take into account all of the places that the food may have been – including on you! Any towels, shirts, pants, etc that food was spilled on or that was used to clean up food, could attract an animal. Remember, the animal is acting on the scent of food – it doesn’t know that all it’s going to find is a spot of hamburger grease on your shorts!
- It’s not just the smell of food that can attract animals: Curiosity of unknown smells and other things can also attract animals to your campsite. Most perfumes and colognes contain pheromones, which are designed to attract other humans, but can also attract a variety of animals. Things such as soap and deodorant may also be smells that attract animals. To avoid nighttime visitors, be sure these items (and any clothing or linens that may contain the scents) are put away.
- Some animals are just plain curious: Despite all your careful planning, cleaning, and packing, remember that wildlife may still come check your campsite out! New structures and sounds in the area the animal lives can be enough to draw its natural curiosity. If an animal does enter your campsite, be sure you treat it with the respect it deserves – give it space, move yourself and your family to a secure area, and avoid sudden movements that may scare the animal. Loud noises can scare animals away, but most of the time they will leave on their own once they discover that there is nothing of use or interest in your campsite. You can also prepare in advance by purchasing products like bear spray or “bear guns”. Remember, you should only engage the animal if you have no other choice, or it is a threat to a human life.
Remember to notify park rangers or campground management of all wildlife sighted in campground areas – it can help protect everyone who visits and works at the campground!
