tent camping banned!!!!

[wagondude]

There were several campgrounds in Yellowstone that did not allow tents, tent topped popups or trailers with tented slide out beds when I was there 5 years ago. The sad truth is that there is no such thing as a bear proof camper (especially those mass produced mega RVs). If a bear wants in, it will get in. I have seen pictures of RVs with the entire rear end ripped off by a bear. The only reason to ban the tents is that bears are smart and always go for the easiest pickings. When the easy way is gone, they will start working on the more difficult stuff. In many places, they have figured out the whole bear bag thing. Even hanging your food in a tree won't keep them from the food. A teardrop should be allowable as a hard sided camper, but I wouldn't keep smellables (food, perfume, deoderant etc.) in the camper in bear country. I wouldn't even cook up wind of the camper, but in those grounds, every one is so close together that the next guy's food smells could attatch to your camper and still have you getting looked at. The small campers will be the first ones that the bears will start investigating as they are less intimidating, but none are safe.

Bill

[S. Heisley]

Out here, in sunny California, we only have to worry about black bears. However, they can do a lot of damage too. A couple years ago, at Whiskeytown National Park, a lady took some mints (or gum? ...can't remember what) to bed with her, in her tent. In the middle of the night, a bear bit her arm, right through the tent wall!

At Castle Crags State Park, I was told to use the food locker for food and cosmetics, etc. even if I was in a trailer...not to leave anything that had an aroma in the trailer.

The way I see it, if a bear tries to get into one of our small trailers, the occupants will at least have a chance to try to scare the bugger away with loud noises or else jump out the other door or window and run like...H.....

[Engineer Guy]

See below the Kitchen Floor at our CO Mtn. House w/2" x 6" Wall Construction. Didn't deter a Bear coming in and opening the Fridge to snack. This is how we found it; Frozen Berries and Bloody Mary Mix gone:



From the circa-'85 Construction at 9,050' elevation, the Windows are Double Pane + an integral extra Single Pane Storm Window. Bear Forensics, and other breaks-in that Summer [23 total around us], indicated Mama was teaching Junior the fine art of breaking and entering.

4 different Single Pane Windows had been broken out in 'testing' whether they would give to allow entry, and the Clothes Dryer Vent was ripped off the Wall. A huge Bay Window had 2 side Windows that were 2' wide x 5' high. One of those was fully broken out to allow entry. However, the huge triangle of Glass that remained in-Frame meant that Junior got through a space 10" wide w/o drawing Blood. Other than a small 'Barrel' of Fireplace Wood being knocked over, Junior went RIGHT for the Fridge and chowed down. Quite the IQ. An upper Cabinet Door was scratched, due to Maple Sryup inside, we guess.

Nice Antiques were left intact, and there was no Bear 'deposit' left on the Carpet as a 'mark'; something which often happens. Bear Fur on the Window Casing told the story, too.

Some FN IDIOT was putting Bacon Grease in an old Tire in his 'front' Yard to watch the Bears work at getting to it. '2 time Loser' Mama was trapped repeatedly and then killed as per CO Policy. No more break-ins in the several Summers since. This is why the Bumper Sticker says 'Garbage Kills Bears'.

Given the propensity of Bears to chow down and then take a snooze, I was mighty glad to be packing when I went down the Stairs to sweep the finished Basement for resident Bears. It was a Bear- and Poop-free zone.

[pete42]

I too have heard the stories about no tents or pop-ups even Aliner's wern't allowed.

Like the ground soldier said when hearing a tank driver complain that the tank was only 4 inches thick " how thick do you think this shirt is?"

As I WANDER the paths I WONDER if my tee shirt would stop a bear?

[dh]

Slow, to answer your question, after seeing Gaston's teardrop post accident and Miriam's post tornado, I'll take a teardrop over a comertial camper any day against a bear atack.

[starleen2]

Slow, to answer your question, after seeing Gaston's teardrop post accident and Miriam's post tornado, I'll take a teardrop over a comertial camper any day against a bear atack.

+1

[madjack]

BEARS...why do you think we highly recommend two doors for all teardrops...gotta have somewhere to go when the bears come-a knocking...down here, all we gotta worry about are B52 sized skeeters, coons, GATORS and the occasional chupacabra................
madjack

[Pottercounty]

Coach gun with Deer Slugs....and yes, a second door...

[dreadcptflint]

My Teardrop is tough enough that I don't want to test it against a hungry Grizzly. If bears are that much of a problem then I wouldn't bother camping there. It kind of takes the fun out of camping when you are running for your life.

Matt

[Larry C]

That's it! I am switching to multiple layers of Kevlar instead of fiberglass on my build.

Larry C

[Juneaudave]

I don't get it...you don't need a campground to have bears....I thought your own bear is a positive selling point when shopping for property!

[Wolffarmer]

Maybe the best defense in a campground in bear country is to pour bacon grease on a camper several sites away.



Randy

[Wolffarmer]

Where I have camped the last 3 times there are no ( or very very rare ) bears. But there are cougars about. While they won't break into a camper, could be a nasty surprise.

Actually they can be anyplace around here and would not suprise me if there has been one on my place at sometime in the past 10 ten years. Last year one was found in town sleeping in an open garage. It didn't bother the kids sleeping in a tent several houses away.

Randy

[H@nk]

So, America IS a dangerous country.
I better stay in France for holidays, only bad things there are the mosquitos

[Woodstramp]

Bear country...
...Keep food and good smellies away from the sleeping area and...
...coat the camper with vasiline....
...and if that doesn't work...12 gage/slugs