Comments on: Keep Wildlife Wild – Protect Your Food https://www.DuskHiker.com/backpacking/keep-wildlife-wild-protect-food/ Thu, 02 Oct 2025 20:42:33 +0000 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9 By: Dave Collins https://www.DuskHiker.com/backpacking/keep-wildlife-wild-protect-food/#comment-1666 Mon, 28 Oct 2013 20:59:52 +0000 https://www.DuskHiker.com/uncategorized/keep-wildlife-wild-protect-food/#comment-1666 In reply to Brooks.

Great story Brooks! Thanks for sharing.
It’s actually a very good thing that you didn’t think to run, because running is just about the worst thing you could have done in that situation. Running from predatory animals can trigger their chase instincts, which you really don’t want. When a bear charges you, it’s best to hold your ground and show that you’re not afraid. Bluff charges are a common tactic among aggressive bears, but even aggressive bears very rarely actually attack people. So as tough as it may be, it’s best to hold your ground.

Thanks for sharing your story Brooks!

]]> By: Brooks https://www.DuskHiker.com/backpacking/keep-wildlife-wild-protect-food/#comment-1665 Mon, 28 Oct 2013 20:27:33 +0000 https://www.DuskHiker.com/uncategorized/keep-wildlife-wild-protect-food/#comment-1665 Dave,
For what it’s worth, here is a little personal perspective on the sleeping with food idea. In 1992 a did a short stretch on the JMT, from Whitney to the Kearsarge Pass Trail and down in to Onion Valley. This was before the bear canister requirements in the Sierra, when bagging was the call. I was hiking the section solo with only an alpine climbing bivy bag for shelter (hmm, aryl stab at UL’ing?). Having had previously terrible experiences bagging food, and on the advice of other hikers, I was sleeping with my food either in my bag with me or very nearby. This had worked out nicely for me so far on that trip and couple of previous Sierra forays.

The problem came up on my last morning, as I was waking up early near the meadow at Bullfrog Lake (no camping allowed there now) for a push down to Onion Valley. As I was getting out of my bag I heard a rustling across the meadow and looked up to see a large black bear charging out of the foliage straight towards me. He was maybe 100 yards away, so I had the time to jump up and start waving my arms and screaming. I was young and dumb, so it never occurred to me to just run away, I still can’t imagine why. He got to within about 10 yards of me, grunting and puffing at a full gallop, and then made a sharp right turn back into the foliage. After checking my shorts I very quickly pack up my camp and resolved never to sleep on my food again.

Of course, this was during a time when bear aggression was probably at it’s peak in the Sierra, just before the canisters came into common use. I also heard later that aggressive bears from other areas were being relocated into that area then, though I can’t confirm this. I escaped unscathed, save for a little scare, so I can’t speak to bears attacking people for their food. But it felt pretty darn close. Cheers!

Brooks

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