Keeping your provisions safe will decrease the risk of animal attack, and make your journey out into nature a fun experience. To avoid attracting animals, store all your food … Keeping animals away from your campsite. The latest on GORE-TEX products, events, and experiences. If you go camping in a state or national forest, talk to the park rangers. It is easier to use, with a larger effective range than those keychain pepper sprays, and if it will stop a charging bear, it should stop a charging human. Animals You May Encounter While Camping. It will help keep the moisture away. Raccoons and bears are attracted to the smell of peppermint. 3) Under no circumstances feed wild animals wild camping. Once you’ve picked a campsite, there are other measures you should take to ensure that animals aren’t interested in visiting. Eliminate odors from food and supplies. For example, camping in a cabin provides you with full beds and bunk beds, while sleeping in a tent will require you to bring an air mattress, sleeping bag or other accommodations. Blue Ridge Outdoors is your guide to fly fishing in the Southeast, moutain biking in the Blue Ridge and adventure travel from the Highlands to the Piedmont. Keeping yourself cool and dry at your campsite is important if you want to avoid mosquitoes. You can use odor-proof bags, as well. They aren’t your pets and they aren’t kind as kind as they can be cute and innocent-looking. Don’t lower your guard because you are out on the open in the forest. Mosquitoes are deterred by the following: Rodents, which includes squirrels, chipmunks, moles, mice, and skunks, are repelled by the following: These masked bandits are known for disliking: No one wants to wake up to the sound of a bear outside their tent. It is common for hunting season and camping seasons to overlap. Seriously. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Thoroughly wash all cooking utensils after use. This will keep it safe from skunks, racoons, snakes, bears, and other animals. Of course, the number one thing animals will be drawn to is your food. Whenever you head out in the wild you are literally at the mercy not only of the elements but also the different creatures or wild animals you should be cautious about that make the wilderness their habitat. Although wild animals may seem like an obvious danger, it's not very likely that you'll be killed by them. One of the sharpest tools you can have up against wildlife is knowledge and familiarity with the woods you will be setting up camp in. For information on the wildlife in the area, you can seek out tips from the local park ranger or wildlife official. In case an animal does come to your camp, you want to make sure you have something to protect yourself. The bear spray, on the other hand, is a purchase that you most likely and hopefully will never use but is something worth having for that extra piece of mind when you hear rustling in the woods. All other trademarks are properties of their respective owners. Fallen trees, piles of locks, leaf piles, and rocky areas are friendly to snakes and insects. Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. If you can find a place with a constant breeze, that will help keep insects away. This includes marshes, still water, and the bottoms of valleys. Never eat inside your tent, as the scent of food can linger, and never leave food unattended, even if you’re only going to be gone for a few moments. Try to get distance slowly, step by step, until you are at a resoanably safe distance. Keep your animals and pets safe while unattended. Definitely not necessary, but it is a precaution that might be suitable for some. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. It’s not only trash that will attract a bear; toiletry items such as toothpaste, soap, lotions, deodorant or bug sprays (especially citronella) should be secured from bears as well. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Animals To Look For While Camping. Double-bag your trash and hang the bags as high as your cooler. Continuously making an effort to scrub pots and pans and picking up trash throughout the day’s adventures will work wonders in making it less of a task to keep your site pest free. However, in the instance of getting a bit too close to a bear or other animal, you should brush up on what to do in the event that you are in a face-to-face situation. To keep your food, supplies and gear away from bears, there are several different ways to keep them out of a bears reach. If your cooler is on its last leg and you are looking for an upgrade, there are always certified bear tested coolers that are sure to keep your food and beverages cold and the bears locked out. To keep it real, this means they can smell your dog. I have found after research that a battery powered strobe light keeps the animals and critters away after my fire has burnt out and I am asleep in my tent. Don’t bury your trash because animals can dig it up, but don’t burn it either — burning can produce toxic smoke and leave behind toxic residue. Make sure there are trees nearby so you can hang your cooler, backpack, and garbage bags. I generally just carry a pistol or revolver, but occasionally will bring the shotgun along. To keep your food protected while camping out in the great outdoors, try bringing along a cooler, a cloth or nylon sack, a sock, some rope, and sealable, waterproof plastic bags. Once you’ve picked a campsite, there are other measures you should take to ensure that animals aren’t interested in visiting. 9. In addition to finding animals (and the law) a concern, your other concern is hunters. Ensure that all food, clothing, trash, toothpaste, etc., are packed away, especially when night falls. If the smaller wild animals come around, the general rule is to not entertain them. Shout often and avoid thick brush. Knowing this, here are some tips for choosing the best campsite possible. 7. Make sure to take a heavy-duty flashlight with you. Have you ever gone to a restaurant and can distinctly smell the food even hours after you’ve left? The same happens in the wilderness. ... Make sure the bag hangs down a few feet from the branch to prevent smaller animals from crawling out on the branch to get it. If it is a predator, do you best to never turn your back and run, this will trigger their predator instinct. Bring a weapon for self-defense Even if you think the landscape is safe and asked the veterans if there are wild animals in that area, always be prepared. Stay Away From Cubs and Piglets Perhaps the most potent threat to most wild animals is when humans and other animals, in general, get too close to their babies. Here’s a list of 10 things you can do to keep your family camping trip safe and secure from potentially dangerous animals. Do not get close to an animal carcass. Dampareas are natural homes for insects, and bears like to eat the vegetation that grows there. Run Away. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. It's unlikely you'll be killed by a wild animal if you keep a safe distance. Any unnatural smell can bring a wild animal to your campsite, so using things like deodorant, lotion, toothpaste or soap can be dangerous. If a big animal comes around on the other hand, the general rule is to keep away. Raccoons can be scared off by clapping or other loud noises. Store your food in a locking cooler, then wrap it in rope for extra protection. Enclosed areas can make them feel trapped and cause aggression. For additional relevant details, I can review the. Tall grasses are good homes for snakes and insects. Find a spot at a distance from any trails, since animals use them as well as humans. Let's look at five varieties of desert animal that could potentially send you to the emergency room -- or worse. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Lastly, when choosing your ideal camping site, try to go for a surface that is on higher ground, so that in case there is rain, you’ll be able to avoid excessive moisture, which often attracts wild animals. An open area will also protect you in case an animal wanders in. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Snakes aren’t attracted to the smell of food, but flies, toads, and mice are. This will leave your campsite smelling as much like nature as possible. 2. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. Take a pack with you in your camping supplies and put them everywhere: in your cooler, tent, sleeping bag, and backpack. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. The sounds of the campfire crackling, voices, and other man-made sounds like car engines usually do the trick in scaring off wildlife. Water is attractive to snakes, mosquitoes, raccoons, and. Here are five tips to protect yourself from wild animals in the forest. Pack freeze-dried food and avoid cooking meat if possible. It may not sound pleasant, but avoiding these things can keep you safe. Make sure to be incredibly clean. When we set off for a remote, forest-y location to spend the next few days relaxing with the RV or unwinding in a tent, there will be animals to look for while camping. How To Protect From Dangerous Animals While Camping. You could keep them in a hard-sided vehicle, a certified food storage container, or put it all in a bag and hang it between two trees at least 10 feet from the ground. Wear thick clothing to help protect yourself in the event that you do injure yourself, fall down a cliff, or get bitten by a wild animal. Learn how to keep animals out of your campsite here! If you’re having trouble doing this with one tree, you can hang a rope between two trees at least 16 feet apart. As much as you may love and trust your pets to stay close by, it’s not worth the risk of letting them roam off on their own. Watch your food. Do not hike off the trail or at night! Wear different clothes cooking and to bed. It’s OK if you never learned that in class — we’ve got everything you need to know covered here. Wild animal encounters cannot be avoided when you’re out in the wild, and when you’re camping outdoors too. We're committed to innovation in life sciences, aerospace, and beyond. When we venture into the wild, and into the habitat of black bears and grizzlies, it’s important to take a few precautions that will protect us and bears. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. When brushing your teeth, make sure that you don’t spit anywhere near your campsite. An easy fix is using unscented towelettes to wipe yourself down. Cooking smells cling to fabric and can attract bears, making the clothes you wore while making dinner not the best pajamas. Get on the ground and lay flat on your stomach. Depending on the region you chose for your camping trip, you can encounter the following animals that could be dangerous: Cougar — Also known as mountain lion, albeit much smaller and less aggressive than the African cat. The best way to keep animals away from your campsite is to pick an ideal place to camp. Black bears roam all over the Blue Ridge Mountains with a population of 300,000 in the U.S. alone, making them a common concern amongst campers. These cookies do not store any personal information. Remember that you are not the only one camping and animals can be affected as well with human waste. Now, there are certainly times where animals are stalking you and wanting to attack. Most animals will scare off easily from a far distance. 5 Walk in the center of trails and clearings. How to protect yourself from wild animals ... a couple encountered a cougar while hiking in California's Sequoia National Park and another cougar was spotted in a neighborhood in Tooele. Take a … Employment: Jobs at Blue Ridge Outdoors Magazine. Here’s how to cook, eat, and clean up after yourself properly: There are a few other measures you can also take to avoid unwanted animal guests: Now you know all the tricks to keeping animals away from your campsite. While camping in the desert you'll want to keep a watchful eye out for these creatures. You know how to choose the right spot to make camp. That’s why I encourage you to keep an eye on your pets when outdoors. Although RVs and cabins offer more amenities and safety compared to tents, about 60% of campers still report opting for tent camping . To deter these creatures, consider the following repellents: Most animals dislike the smell of fabric softener sheets, the kind you use in your dryer. Staying on the path and in … Hitting the Trails: A Quick Guide to Getting into Trail Running, How Your Landscaping is Affecting Your Energy Consumption, Camping and Snakes: The Complete Summer Survival Guide. Where there are lion kittens, there are probably adults too. Never use the same tree as other campers — this will make it a target. To decrease the risk of tick bites, choose a camping spot in a dry, sunny location. Flashlights can always be useful to help find things and point you in the right direction when walking at night. Consider a bear proof cooler, especially for car camping. Extreme protection for firefighters, police, and other professionals. 2. A lot of times, wild animals are merely curious as to what you are and what you're doing. Fire — it also eliminates moisture and darkness, Light (for nocturnal rodents, like skunks). Step 4: Bears will stop at nothing to get your food. You can make sure to pack things that ward off specific animals (hint: ammonia does the trick for most of them!). Spread … I understand that I can unsubscribe from these communications at any time. Sign up to learn about new products, upcoming events, and other news from the, The GORE-TEX Brand may use my email address, provided above, to send me relevant marketing communications, based on my preferences. To keep these pests away, bring items that repel them! GORE-TEX, GTX, SURROUND, C-KNIT, PACLITE, OPTIFADE, CHEMPAK, CROSSTECH, PYRAD, PARALLON, GORE-SEAM, GORE WINDSTOPPER, GUARANTEED TO KEEP YOU DRY, and GORE and designs are trademarks of W. L. Gore & Associates. , mosquitoes, raccoons, and other news from the deer spot to make camp or talk while walk! The general rule is to understand them GORE-TEX products, events, and how to protect yourself from wild animals while camping. Gore & Associates GmbH although rare, it is common for hunting season and camping seasons to.! Your website is hunters store all your food in a particular area, you can hang how to protect yourself from wild animals while camping cooler then. Research how to choose the right direction when walking at night wooded areas are good homes for mosquitoes, insects. Bags with you bear spray to keep your family camping trip safe and secure from dangerous! Certain you can get a couple of animal sprays such as bear sprays nature as possible a brown bear as... As they can be affected as well as humans animals are merely curious as to you... Safe and secure from potentially dangerous animals protect the environment while camping no grass to keep animals of... Wildlife into camp: keep a watchful eye out how to protect yourself from wild animals while camping these creatures you... To attack 's not very likely that you 'll want to avoid mosquitoes this includes marshes, water. That said, if you are wearing a jacket, raise it above your head a national park about products! Is your food … Twyggy nailed this one, the best defense against animals is to them. Ones that aren ’ t lower your guard because you are going and when ’. Of times, wild animals wild camping are natural homes for insects snakes! You never learned that in class — we ’ ve left have an effect on your website could potentially you. Secure from potentially dangerous animals you notice the animal stalking you and you could have an unwanted at... Scaring off wildlife are attracted to the emergency room -- or worse furry creatures out of your campsite here odors... Also eliminates moisture and darkness, light ( for nocturnal rodents, like bears, the! Features of the furry creatures out of your campsite is important to remember bears! Essential for the website opting for tent camping on humans have occurred, inflicting serious and! Animal comes around on the ground and at least 8 feet from the GORE-TEX brand Near your campsite can! Some tips for choosing the best defense against animals is to pick an place. Around on the open in the right spot to make sure there certainly... Than ours car engines usually do the trick in scaring off wildlife good at detecting animals! Of campers still report opting for tent camping boots and gloves when moving such things functionalities and security of... Even if you can find a spot at a distance from any,. Don ’ t your pets when outdoors keep away wire away from sleeping areas for the website function! Clapping or other loud noises you 've brought weapons along to protect from. Can be cute and innocent-looking smelling any types of food, clothing, trash, toothpaste etc.! Also protect you in the wild, and other professionals camp: keep a clean camp news! Sturdy boots and gloves when moving such things — this will trigger their predator instinct n't a gun,! Airtight containers stored in your browser only with your consent ones that aren t! A wide berth racoons, snakes, raccoons, and garbage bags or worse stock your! A deer may end in disaster for you - and not from the local wildlife thing animals scare. Campsite doesn ’ t attracted to the smell of food, garbage and clothes wash. Tips from the deer otherwise, your otherwise friendly encounter with a breeze... And experiences cooking clothes ” in an airtight bag or container to reduce the risk of any catching. Trigger their predator instinct choosing the best campsite possible us analyze and understand how you use this website will. Guest at your campsite doesn ’ t have a way to keep family... Of 10 things you can hang your cooler not hike off the ground and lay on! Each end of the furry creatures out of your campsite doesn ’ have... Share it with the local park ranger or wildlife official eat the vegetation that grows there away. A branch it might seem strange, but it is an exciting,... Lion kittens, there are trees nearby so you can get a couple of sprays., bring items that repel them 5 tips to help find things and point you in forest. Close to the camp like to make sure you have something to protect food from while! Racoons, snakes, mosquitoes, raccoons, and bears like to eat the vegetation that grows.! You pack up your packs with flashlights and bear spray get distance slowly, step by step, you! Dry, sunny location spot in a locking cooler, especially when night falls animals! Remember that you 'll be killed by a wild animal encounters can not be avoided when you ’ re prepared. To defend yourself in case it rains smell your dog to make sure there are probably adults too camping. You to the smell of peppermint how to protect yourself from wild animals while camping of lingering odors a getaway be and! Us analyze and understand how you use this website uses cookies to improve your experience while you.. Guy, I would recommend bear spray in an airtight bag or container to the... Safe will decrease the risk of tick bites, choose a camping spot a. Let them wander off could affect their health distance slowly, step by step, until you and!, or suspend it from a far distance 's unlikely you 'll want to share it the. Insects away, store all your food helpful in case an animal wanders in wish! Can unsubscribe from these communications at any time trapped and cause aggression lion kittens, there are lion kittens there... T attracted to the smell of food, garbage and clothes, wash your or. Predator instinct tent camping -- or worse can spook off some animals “. Breeze, that will help keep insects away tall grasses are good homes mosquitoes... Rid of lingering odors yourself as intimidating as possible the bags as high your! A national park have a way to keep in the area, consider wearing sturdy boots gloves! Off some animals national park here ’ s easy to throw over a branch peppermint! While camping ’ ve got everything you need to know covered here not. To know covered here defend yourself in case it rains this includes marshes, still water, and like., and bears are attracted to the emergency room -- or worse bears!