Bear Training 2010

Tomahawk, Stearns, Rum River, Phillippo, Many Point, Kiwanis, Eagle Landing, Fred C. Anderson

Fun Fact

A 2005 Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources report estimated that there were about 13,000 black bears in the northern third of Wisconsin

Don’t worry there are NO Grizzly Bears

Keep in Mind

Although its called a Black Bear the fur may not be black

It can be black, brown, cinnamon, gray and maybe somewhat cream-colored

Food Our campsite has a special line of roots in which

under no circumstances may food be crossed Food or wrappers may not enter any tent or go

beyond the line Cooking: cooking area should be as far away as

possible Clean Up: dishes should be immediately taken care

of. Leftovers should be properly disposed of not down the latrine

Spills must be cleaned up or taken care of even if its on the ground

Snacks Tables should be washed Troop Trailer

Garbage

Is taken care of every night by a group of scouts

Invites “mini bears” to camp sites

If any leakage appears that must also be cleaned up that may include some soil as well

Check your pockets before you pack them for camp to see if you have any old wrappers

Personal Hygiene

Take a shower! But at suggested times which would be

mornings or mid-afternoonProducts to take showers are “smellables”

If food is spilled on clothes it should not return to your tent it will be in the bear box

“Smellables”

Anything that smells Toothpaste,

mouthwash, deodorant, soap, shampoos, food, cloths

Must be stored in bear box never in your tent

Fishing

Fish should not be cleaned at campsite. This is a natural food item for them.

Fact

In 50 years of camping at council camps there has been only one human injury caused by bears

IF a Bear enters your Camp Site?

Don’t endanger yourself or others for the protection of personal property or equipment

Gather all those at the campsite in camp at the opposite side of where the bear is

Stay together Maintain a distance of at least 40 feet from

the bear

There’s a bear in our Campsite?

Scouters, adults or other older scouts will be posted in pairs at the path entrances to your campsite so as to warn whose who maybe entering or passing

Noise NEVER throw anything at the bear or

charge the bear

Be Safe be Informed

Do not use any kind of bear “repellant” such as pepper spray

If effort to get the bear to leave doesn’t work, everyone should leave the campsite for 30 minutes. Those at the entrances remain there

Report the bears entrance to your campsite to a staff member immediately

It will be Back

If the bear is successful in finding food at your campsite, upon the units return clean up your campsite and correct the mistakes that first led to the arrival of the bear

If the bear found food at your campsite, expect a return visit at the same time the following day. Its now part of that bears daily routine

A Bear in my Tent, What do I do?

Avoid your natural instinct to jump and run Remain calm Begin speaking in a loud but calm voice to

let the bear know that you are there Don’t throw anything at it or attempt to hit

it In a calm voice call for your adult leaders

with your name and that there is a bear in or around your tent

Lions (No) and Tigers (No) and Bears (Yes) Oh My! Tell your tent partner that there is a bear in

or around your tent Stay in your sleeping bag and remain still In the unlikely event that the bear begins

to attack you, all bets are off fight back using any means possible

Hiking with a Bear?

Buddy system Make noise while hiking If you come across a bear remain calm

and avoid any sudden movement Give the Bear plenty of space If you spot a bear but it doesn’t spot you

detour quickly and quietly away from that area

Danger Zone

If you spot a bear and it is aware of you, but you don’t seem to be in its danger zone try to get its attention while you are still a good distance awayWave your arms and talk in a normal voice

The bear may stand on its hind legs to investigate you, but remember a bear on its hind legs is just a curious bear and not a threatening one

Don’t Run Avoid fleeing from the

bear this might trigger the bear’s natural predatory instinct and it may chase you Bears can run up to 30 to

40 MPH Don’t throw anything at

the bear Don’t bother the cub

bears because the mother maybe very protective

Bear Attacks

Since 1900 there has only been 23 deaths caused by Black Bears in ALL of North America

Between 1960 and 1980 there were more than 500 human injuries cause by Black bears 90% of those injuries inflicted were minor

90% of the death and major injuries inflicted were cause by predatory situations (where the bear was actually attacking to kill and eat

a person)

Attacks

During the period of 1960-1980 it has been calculated that 77 million recreational days have been spent by humans in Black Bear populated areasDuring this period only 3 Black Bear inflicted

injuries were reported

Wide Range of Attacks

“Bluff Charge” the bear may charge at the person but may break off at the last minute

A black bear may make popping noises and paw the ground before charging When charged do not turn to flee or climb a

tree, STAND YOUR GROUND If being attacked Do NOT play dead, fight

back with ANY weapon you may have

The Bears that may Attack You

It is mainly wild black bears found in remote wilderness areas, which have had no previous encounters with humans

Bear might act as a predator toward a human in which it continues to slowly approach you in daylight, perhaps circling the person and then rushing the person If this happens you must be ready to defend

yourself

Consequences

Baiting: 1st time all involved leave camp with no refund

Litter in Campsite or improper disposal of food or smell-ables: 1st time troop will be put on alert, clean campsite and perform a service project. 2nd time Troop is asked to leave with no refund and a lose of that campsite for the following year

Consequences Continued

Improper food or smellables storage: 1st those involved correct their mistake and perform a service project 2nd those involved will be asked to leave camp with no refund

Food in Tent: 1st those involved must correct their mistake and perform a service project 2nd asked to leave camp with no refund

Continued

Harassment of bear(s) or any other violation: 1st Discipline at the discretion of Camp Director 2nd Discipline will be at the discretion of Reservation Director

Bear poop in Blackfoot Campsite at Tomahawk. This happened in 2008!

Bear Training is Now Completed!