Bear Safety Part 4: Bears and their Sense of Smell

[@maydanlex]

I once heard someone say that "if a pine needle falls in a forest, an eagle will see it, a deer will hear it and a bear will smell it". Kinda in keeping with the point you're making. Thanks for posting!

[@KevinOutdoors]

Yeah that makes the point.

[@gabe-po9yi]

maydanlex I’ve never heard that. Awesome saying, really highlights the capabilities of these animals.

[@stellarwind1946]

Rabbits can hear better than deer though.

[@maydanlex]

@@stellarwind1946 Won't dispute what you're saying but with all the rabbits around my area these days makes me wonder if they can't hear me or that they're ignoring me.

[@dortemadsen2166]

@@KevinOutdoors and human barely notice it even if it drops on their head. We are not terribly perceptive to our surroundings compared to other species.

[@cloaker7237]

Of all the underappreciated channels out there, this is probably one of the most criminal cases. This guy covers all the bases, from canoeing to bear defense to backcountry recipes. You, sir, deserve more attention.

[@KevinOutdoors]

Thanks Cloaker! My channel growth is slow but steady. Your comment is much appreciated.

[@johnadams5489]

Great Tip about not wiping your hands on your clothes when cooking or eating. At my age, we car camp. Hike during the day, make our dinner when we comeback, then WASH up with soap and water and change our clothes. We have a Coleman Solar Shower too. We never go in our tent with clothes we had on when eating, and have the luxury of having extra clean clothes. Obviously, you never want to have any kind of food or munchies in your tent. I knew that bears could smell anything at long distances, but I didn't know it was 20 miles! Thanks for the Great Series on Bears Safety.

[@KevinOutdoors]

Thanks John!

[@sylviagonzalez5153]

This might dumb ? Can bears smell wifi

[@kellybalkom7149]

Excellent info and well presented. I knew bears had a good sense but now i know how good, WOW!

[@KevinOutdoors]

Thanks Kelly!

[@tiromandal6399]

This is the first time I'm seeing a bear video so detailed. Insta subbed!

[@KevinOutdoors]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@cynthiamgentles6781]

Follow best practices and these include putting up a portable electric bear fence around your campsite. Lightest one is 2.4 lbs and it’s very capable.

[@jaysway2346]

Again, another great video. Your behind the scenes work does not go unnoticed and we truly appreciate all the info you provide for us. Thanks for sharing.

[@KevinOutdoors]

My pleasure! I appreciate that!

[@woodchuck9]

Good info, thanks Kevin. Especially going into autumn when bears get more active.

[@KevinOutdoors]

Thanks Susan, they certainly are. One last push before hibernation.

[@lordhumungus1386]

I know most of the things you said on this videos about bears (I find them very fascinating and interesting) and how to deal with situation when you encounter them,but one thing is for sure,your videos about this topic are the best on youtube as far as I know..you explain everything that is important to know in a calm way and in details without any other unimportant informations and people who do not know lot about bears will learn mostly everything they need to know from your videos..greetings from Croatia and thank you!

[@KevinOutdoors]

Thanks so much!

[@LostLakes]

Fantastic video. Kills the notion that you can conceal the scent of your campsite. The key is to limit scent and avoid the possibility of a reward if a bear does come. Great points about cleaning fish on your site and using the lid as a cutting board too.

[@KevinOutdoors]

Thanks Jon, I am testing out some 'scent proof' bags right now with some sardines and my trail cameras. The results I have so far with this particular bear are a bit surprising. That should be out in a couple of weeks.

[@jakedobson3422]

Another great video Kevin! I found it very informative and a great reminder to not be naive enough to think a bear can’t smell food, no matter what we do, to hide the scent.

[@KevinOutdoors]

Thanks Jake!

[@noahriding5780]

Wow. You had a lot of information. Bears seem more stressful after realizing how many tools they have to use.

[@KevinOutdoors]

They are the complete package.

[@juliusgonzo7527]

Absolutely A great camping instruction video...really appreciate this.

[@KevinOutdoors]

Glad it was helpful!

[@ItsaJackall]

So I just watched 4 videos about bear safety while living in a tropical country in Latin America, lol. I loved them all!!!!

[@KevinOutdoors]

Thanks Joel!

[@stephenrobinson5949]

Thanks for this information. Your content is always well researched, current and to the point. Another great job. Love this channel.

[@KevinOutdoors]

Thanks Stephen, Glad you enjoyed it!

[@chrispiatt2235]

Thanks, Kevin. That was an excellent presentation. Very well done, sir.

[@KevinOutdoors]

Thank you kindly!

[@Winter8R1]

Excellent video Kevin! I always knew bears had a great sense of smell but your video really puts it into perspective. Thanks for sharing.

[@KevinOutdoors]

My pleasure!

[@suezaple4950]

This was a very interesting topic on the bears sense of smell, all good to know thank you

[@KevinOutdoors]

Glad you enjoyed it, curious if you watched Canoehound's Adventure show last night on KZbin? I was on it talking about bears.

[@ragheadand420roll]

Barry cooper has a great channel never get busted again he goes over bags and scent dispersion in many levels Thx

[@FreakofNature1]

Knew a lot of information in this video but there is always something to be learnt! Thanks for sharing Kev!

[@KevinOutdoors]

Glad it was helpful!

[@petes9878]

Great, informative clip. Thanks. One of the most experienced bears I've encountered was in '75 in Camp 4, Yosemite before all the new metal food storage units were installed. Then the typical approach was to hang food between trees. In this one place there was only one oak tree, but it had long enough branches so a rope could be looped over the thin end where a bear's weight would not be supported. The climber who arranged that, heaved his food bag up to the branch and tied the rope to a solitary fence post, away from the tree. One morning a bear appeared, walked by, noticed the hanging bag and swiftly climbed up the three to fetch it. Elegantly (for a large animal) he walked out onto the branch to do the job. Oops, as anticipated the branch began to bend, preventing the bear to reach the food. What the climber wasn't anticipating was what the bear did next. After retreating a bit, the bear stood up onto the 'food branch' with his hind legs, grabbed a smaller branch above it, then walked out, using both branches for weight distribution and got out far enough to barely reach the bag (while still holding up with the other front leg to the upper branch), flipped the bag over the branch, then climbed down for a deserved (?) meal.

[@april906outdoors3]

Excellent, interesting content, Kevin. Thank you for the bear series - well done!

[@KevinOutdoors]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@lesley1484]

I had yet another close bear encounter while elk hunting last week. I had just finished a long, hard day of hiking/hunting and I was only about half a mile from camp when my stomach thought my throat had been cut and decided to start grinding. I opted to sit down on a log and eat my last cheese stick and open up a ziploc with roast chicken lunch meat. I had only been eating for about 2 or 3 minutes when I heard something approaching from behind - quite noisily I might add since we have had pretty severe drought here in Colorado. I turned to see a black bear (about 300 pounds and chocolate in color) making a beeline for my position at a pretty fast clip (not running but kind of loping). I had just enough time to stand up, face him with bear spray in hand, and yell while waving my hands. The bear turned and ran when he heard me yell and wave (within about 60 feet of my position). Based on my personal experience, and I have had MANY bear encounters, I now firmly believe that any type of processed food with flavor/odor enhancers is bound to draw in bears like a magnet. I'll be taking only unprocessed, whole food snacks into the woods from now on.

[@KevinOutdoors]

Thanks for sharing your story Lesley. Amazing experience and glad everything worked out for you. It is quite possible/probable that bears find processed foods interesting. As you were out hunting it is a good chance that bear wasn't habituated and decided to come and check out the interesting smell.

[@gabe-po9yi]

Excellent explanations and analogies. The illustrations like the scent map were extremely helpful in understanding - good thought you had to create them. Auditory plus visual = better learning. Nice job.

[@KevinOutdoors]

Awesome, thank you!

[@gabe-po9yi]

Kevin Outdoors You’re a naturally gifted speaker/instructor. There are a lot of people who have an extreme amount of knowledge, but don’t possess the talent to impart it to others. I don’t know if you give classes in anything, but people’s learning would be enriched by whatever subject. Not to go on and on, it’s just that people like you don’t come along everyday.

[@thetriumphofthethrill2457]

Another good one, the science and statistics are well described. Keep 'em coming.

[@KevinOutdoors]

Thanks, a few more ideas in the pipe.

[@thetriumphofthethrill2457]

@@KevinOutdoors That's good to know, looking forward to them. ☺

[@Ritzoid]

One thing I would recommend to improve the quality of this video is to add references for your quantitative data (maybe in the description or at the end). Interesting topic and great video!

[@KevinOutdoors]

Thanks for the tip!

[@steadmanuhlich6734]

Excellent video, very informative, well done!

[@KevinOutdoors]

Thank you kindly!

[@alantalycenas1304]

Another excellent report. Thank you.

[@dwrivers47]

Love the graphic comparison, another well done video.

[@KevinOutdoors]

Thanks 👍

[@titanecampi]

Great advices Kevin, when we go camping we always keep the camp clean, brush our teeth and spit in the fire and also rince our toothbrush with water over the fire. In La Mauricie park in Québec i opened a can of tuna way to early before dinner. A young bear must have been attracted by the smell and spent the evening with us. Thanks for the bear pole that was provided by the park.

[@KevinOutdoors]

Great story Roland. You can never bee too careful. That's a park I should check out some time.

[@hike-bike-paddle-and-drone]

Awesome video and message! I already have a canister but in the interest of dropping a little backpack weight I picked up a Ursack and have been watching your series. I am now definitely looking at getting some OpSacks as well to try to cut back on the attracting odor. I have been packing pre-cooked bacon for a long time now to cut back on the cooking odors. It might be expensive but definitely isn't throwing out a 3 alarm attractant that open cooking of bacon releases. Loving your BackCountry Eats Book!! Awesome job!!

[@KevinOutdoors]

Thanks, I love the comment, Glad you like the book!

[@carlinsavell4207]

Nice videos cheers from Oakville, Ontario!!!!!!!!

[@KevinOutdoors]

Thanks 👍

[@Hockeyfan9884]

I honestly am thankfull for your video, and am now subscribed . thank you .

[@lindas.harris3618]

Thank you so much been in the coastal part of Tex no bears, ha. Amazing . Thanks again

[@KevinOutdoors]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@jimf1964]

It makes sense since they're a large animal, that needs a lot of food, living in an environment where you can't see more than 10yds. What I'd like to know is why you know so much about drug smuggling. 🤔🤔😃 I worry most about cross contamination. Like greasy fingers touching the tent, for example. Say a bear smalls the bag, wanders in, can't get it, and snoops around.

[@KevinOutdoors]

LOL, thanks Jim. I've been using that dog argument to explain bears smell to people for years. Yes, very good idea to watch that cross contamination.

[@MrMrphil100]

Your bear videos seem to be catching alot of attention. Maybe on your next trip you can demonstrate all the things you do in camp to minimize your scent to bears. It would be nice to see it all in practice. You have some of the best bear education on here. Thanks a bunch Kevin!

[@KevinOutdoors]

Thanks J Renne, that is a great idea!

[@dominiclincoln4343]

Awesome series. Thanks for all the advice!

[@KevinOutdoors]

Glad you like them!

[@21ZacDUDE]

This video was great! Well done.

[@KevinOutdoors]

Thanks for the visit!

[@kapilramani4223]

Love these videos Kevin. Thank you!

[@KevinOutdoors]

My pleasure!

[@in_neerajpandey]

Highly informative, Kevin! Thanks

[@KevinOutdoors]

Glad it was helpful!

[@Hockeyfan9884]

You are AWESOME, Thank you so so much of the very informative information . Please present more video and information .

[@noroads3840]

Makes sense why pepper spray (bear spray) would be an effective deterrent. Nicely done video .

[@KevinOutdoors]

Thanks Kioti, Bear spray affects the mucus membrane, both in the nose and eyes.

[@ally1400]

One orange bear talking about bear 😄

[@KevinOutdoors]

😝

[@dzymslizzy3641]

Keeping a clean campsite is also just plain courteous camping. I grew up camping, but never in the back country; always in national parks. Sequoia National Park, in California, was notorious for bears coming through and upsetting the trash cans on a nightly basis. One night, my dad and I sat out in front of the tent, lantern off, with our cameras, just waiting to see if we could capture the event. Unfortunately, there was a full moon, and the bears no doubt saw us. No trash cans went over until about 1 minute after we went back inside the tent!

[@KevinOutdoors]

They really do seem to know when they can prowl.

[@ricardoneto7789]

Very instructive Kevin 👍 thanks for sharing😉

[@KevinOutdoors]

Very welcome, glad you liked it!

[@gingerwoo5589]

Thank you for all the info

[@kevinharding2099]

Excellent! I live in Maine and we have bears around all the time. Care with waste is essential. I once actually saw a grizzly smell a sandwich from a half mile away (in open ground in Alaska). A bear expert offered evidence that a bear can smell ripe nuts 20 miles away. Bears are always interested in food and humans have the responsibility to be smart avoiding dangerous situations. Bird feeders should not be put out until winter comes!

[@KevinOutdoors]

Thanks Kevin.

[@cuzzinman9758]

Great Video!!!!

[@KevinOutdoors]

Thanks!

[@Melissa-qs8qc]

You do awesome videos!!

[@KevinOutdoors]

Glad you like them!

[@cybermonkey81]

That part about cutting down the smell, makes sense. It's like stealth on an aircraft, you're not going to be invisible, but you're cutting down the detection ranges. In this case cutting that 20 mile range to something lower means less bears attracted over a given area.

[@KevinOutdoors]

Exactly, you are just reducing the chances of attracting a bear. A bear that has been rewarded before will cause the most issues.

[@Woodswalker1965]

Good tips Kevin 👍 !

[@KevinOutdoors]

Thanks Wade! 👍

[@blankblank2579]

this channel is so damn good mate i instant subscribed

[@nextari]

Incredible info, totally changed my understanding of bears, the way the would map areas according to smell makes total sense: types of rock, etc. Amazing they can eat rotting things with such strong sense. Our noses must be adapted to make rotting = "bad", where for them rotting = "delicious". go figure.

[@JustinMcKinneyhiker]

Excellent , informative video !! Thanks !!

[@KevinOutdoors]

Thanks Justin, you are welcome!

[@floridablackbear7318]

Thank you for your informative comments to help all of us stay safe. And remember, Black Bear Lives Matter!

[@KevinOutdoors]

Thanks Florida Bear.

[@earlhayes2969]

Hey Kevin some great information thanks Earl

[@KevinOutdoors]

Thanks Earl!

[@adventureswithbecketandxena]

Thanks for all the info Kevin. I always keep my food in ziploc bags in my food bag but I know a bear can smell it. But I do that to help cut down that smell and also to help keep it dry if it rains. I always keep my camp clean but gets a bit hard when my dog Xena spills her food dish. 😅 I'll sit there and pick up every piece of kibble. Great video.

[@KevinOutdoors]

Thanks Becket!

[@MrHeimes]

Great videos

[@KevinOutdoors]

Thanks!

[@misscandy84]

I love black bears very majestic hoping 1 day to see 1

[@SlayermikeFishingandMORE]

Great info Kevin!

[@KevinOutdoors]

Thanks for watching!

[@keithspangler4814]

Kevin, thank you so much for being so educational. Doing a solo bicycle tour from Whitefish, Mt up into Canada (Alberta and BC) and really trying to learn about how to manage my actions to avoid bears. The one thing you mentioned about smells transferred to your cloths worries me. I will be carry9ing all of my things in bags on the bike and transferring smells is almost impossible, Any thoughts ~ thank you

[@KevinOutdoors]

Transferring scent when handling food while camping is a challenge. All anyone can do is their best. Keep a clean campsite and store your food and toothpaste etc. securely and you should be fine. Also I recommend carrying bear spray if you are going to be alone or in small groups in bear country.

[@yellowroseoftexas2890]

I was told to keep the outside of the bear container well cleaned from sents

[@KevinOutdoors]

Yes, that is what I meant about spills etc and in using a barrel as a cutting board. Keep everything clean and un-interesting to the bear.

[@craigrobertson6082]

Super informative, thank you.

[@KevinOutdoors]

Thanks Craig!

[@TheOutdoorSeeker]

I always keep a clean camp site and hang the food in the tree. I thought the waterproof bag I was using is also smell proof, apparently not the case. Very informative video! Thanks

[@KevinOutdoors]

Thanks Outdoor Seeker!

[@gregoryfoster8179]

I have recently added canned salmon to my diet regularly but have considered the smell factor for camping in bear country. I think I'll switch to a less smelly Omega 3 option for my camping menus, lol

[@bapanana1]

Thanks for your whole series of Bear videos! These were so informative and help me feel a little more empowered for the trek we are planning through the Rocky Mts. [I've been very scared about bear encounters - but, statistically now I know it will be rare to see them or have any issues. We will definitely invest in bear spray [and now we know how to use it thanks to your previous video] and we will be careful about minimizing smells. Questions: How do you recommend we clean up the area where food has been? Should we bury all leftovers? Where is the best place tp keep or hide a bear canister if we don't have a way to hang our food and there are no locking bear storage [such as backcountry camping]? Do you recommend hanging the food as opposed to a bear canister? Any tips on how to hang the food? Do you think bears are more dangerous in the Spring - when they have come out of hibernation and are potentially more hungry? Thanks!

[@KevinOutdoors]

You are so welcome glad you found the videos useful. Here are some answers to your questions... Step one in managing leftovers is to try and portion your meals properly so you don't have leftovers. This is challenging, I know. So yes if you do have leftovers the best thing is to burn them up completely, if that is an option or dig a hole. Bears are still going to smell the food (especially if you burn it) so these options aren't optimal but for me they fall into the category of 'do all you can do and that will have to be good enough'. If you have a bear resistant canister then just keeping it a safe distance from your tent ~>40 ft should be good. You want enough space between your tent and the food so that when you hear a noise you are able to get out of your tent and back away safely, or engage the bear, depending on the situation. I am actually taking a look at data of bear attacks in preparation for another video. I am not seeing a strong trend regarding what time of year is most dangerous. If anything there are slightly more attacks in summer and fall than spring.

[@bapanana1]

@@KevinOutdoors Thank you that is great info. I was feeling okay about bear safety ... until today. I just read of a predatory attack by a black bear last week that killed a woman in Colorado who was walking her dogs. The article says "Wildlife officers said they found signs of consumption on the body and an abundance of bear scat and hair at the scene." ... they tracked down and killed the sow and 2 cubs. The whole story is super tragic. From everything I've learned from your videos, this kind of event is supposed to be really rare... RIGHT?!?!! yikes...

[@miramar-103]

My trailer has a 90 gal fridge freezer that slides out for access - contains the bulk of my food .. not really practical to lug that 200ft away from the trailer let alone somehow hang it up a tree... so what would you suggest in this case? Was considering using my meat smoker as a decoy - have that set up 500 ft away ... maybe the bear would smell that first...

[@KevinOutdoors]

I wouldn't bother with a decoy. I hope you can secure the fridge or are camping in campgrounds with others.

[@FeldwebelWolfenstool]

..I've had 4-5 run-ins with bears, out camping and prospecting over the last 30 years...next trip I'm sleeping in the inflatable, anchored out on the lake, with a motion detector alarm sitting on all my stuff on the beach...

[@KevinOutdoors]

Well that's one way of being safe. 🙂

[@garyseven4441]

but... bears can swim😊

[@noahriding5780]

Does campfire smoke smell keep away bears when camping? And are there things you can use as anti-smell chemicals that they might hate to go near? (Other than, capsaicin which is too strong for me.)

[@KevinOutdoors]

I don't really know but fire (smoke or flame or light or all) does seem to keep them away. Also people say that Pine Sol has a negative effect on them. I am not 100% about that.

[@treborironwolfe]

I always knew bears had a powerful sense of smell, but I never realized just *how* powerful it is. This makes me think that bears can also smell human hormones better than most other animals [fear, anxiety, arousal, anger]. If this is true, it helps me understand how some people can have a loving "pet" polar bear and others are mauled for simply being in the wrong woods at the wrong time with the wrong disposition.

[@KevinOutdoors]

Thanks Trebor, there is probably something to that, again, this is an area of science that is very difficult to understand.

[@PinetreeLine]

More great bear safety information! Thanks Kevin!

[@KevinOutdoors]

You bet! Thanks PLP, more to come! 😀

[@tombeckett4340]

Thanks Kevin great information. 🇨🇦👍

[@KevinOutdoors]

No problem, my pleasure. 👍

[@jtucker4201]

Well said. Any cookbook updates?

[@KevinOutdoors]

Thanks for asking John. I hope it is out before Christmas. I'll do an update next time I speak with the publisher.

[@Dragonfire1911]

In the movie (The Edge) they made it seem like just a little bit of blood like a cut on a finger was enough to attract a bear to them. Would just a little amount of blood really be enough to attract a bear in real life?

[@KevinOutdoors]

I don't think so. They might be able to smell it if they are close enough but they aren't sharks, the scent of blood doesn't trigger an attack.

[@carpo719]

Dang. 7 times more than a dog, which has 300x more than we do That means a bear can smell over two thousand times better than a human. You best be careful out there people, better safe than sorry. Always hang your food high and away from your tent! Great info.... for thanks for the video

[@KevinOutdoors]

Thanks Carpo!

[@Heinzpeteromfg]

the bloodhound has about 60 times more than humans (5m and 300m) still amazing

[@brentmiller73]

Great Video! I have a question, what your thought are about the possibility that bears have an archive sense of smell? I have read that Canidae have an archive sense of smell that helps them identify one another in addition to other significant factors within their life (Whitney, 1987). Which leads me to ask do you think Ursidae share in this same ability, or do think their brains are complex enough incorporate, sound and sight within their archival memory? Personally, I do not know the rod to cone ratio in bears and how it compares to humans and Canidae but feel that is something worth investigating. Thanks for sharing video with us I really enjoyed it. I also appreciate your inspiring me to rethink about some items that I have not thought of in quite some time. References Whitney D.V.M., Leon E. (1987). Dog Psychology. In D. Leon E. Whitney, Dog Psychology: The Basics of Dog Trainig (pp. 57-65). New York, New York: Howell Book House, INC.

[@KevinOutdoors]

Thanks Brent, I am not really familiar with 'archival sense of smell', I can't find it with a search either. But based on your description of using scent to recognize others of the same species I would say yes that is highly likely. Bears are known to mark their territory. I am sure they recognize their neighbours this way.

[@lesley1484]

I store my cook pot, stove, utensils, food soiled clothing, first aid kit and toiletry kit in my hanging bag. I knew they had an amazing sense of smell, but you have definitely enlightened me! Great video! I do have one question. When I go backpacking, I make sure to pee around the perimeter of my campsite to let bears know that I am there (i.e. marking territory). Do you think that makes any difference, or do you think they know who/what I am immediately by the scent of me and my gear?

[@KevinOutdoors]

Excellent question Lesley. My answer is that it probably makes a difference but we really don't know. It is amazing how we can know the chemical composition of stars light-years away but we don't really know what a bear can smell. This is all speculation, but given the capacity of their nose and olfactory bulb I presume they understand us on a different level with smell. I would presume a bear close enough to your campsite would somehow get that you have gone to some trouble to mark the perimeter of the campsite with your scent. What they do with that info is another question, but I would presume if they aren't looking to get into trouble then that would be helpful.

[@ItsAdventureTime1]

So is there any scent that deters a bear? The pneumonia smell from urine? Vinegar? What is it that bear's smell that prevents them from wondering into other territory?

[@KevinOutdoors]

Good question. I am not aware of anything that will deter them. Bears are reasonably intelligent and find different scents interesting.

[@SamCosentino]

Thanks very much for the informative videos, Kevin. A question: doesn't the smell of a campfire deter wild creatures, including bears?

[@KevinOutdoors]

That is a good question. I have limited experience with this but I did once light a fire in the middle of the night to keep a problem bear away from our campsite. The bear lurked around our campsite all night so the smell didn't send it away. I suspect the light has more impact than smell. I think they feel they have an advantage in the darkness.

[@Kingnome]

What about food in a cooler in a car?

[@whosavedwho1851]

I know that bears have a good nose but i had no idea it was that good thats an gos bless

[@whosavedwho1851]

God bless

[@KevinOutdoors]

It is pretty incredible. Thanks!

[@tmarie_91]

Do bears not like the smell of pinesol?

[@KevinOutdoors]

I understand that is true but I have no proof. I may need to try a test of that.

[@arf5439]

Thank you Kevin your videos are so informative!!! Do you know by any chance if bringing a dog in a backcountry is a good/bad idea? (If they can attract more bears to you tent etc) Thank you in advance!! 😊

[@KevinOutdoors]

Good questions Sara. I would say that in general dogs are beneficial. They bark and that alone will scare off most bears. A barking dog has kept bears out of our yard for years. You do want to be careful not to let your dog chase a bear. Unless they are working with other dogs and trained for the purpose a lone dog chasing a bear will often return to the owner with the bear chasing it.

[@arf5439]

Kevin Outdoors thank you so much Kevin!! 🙏🏽😊

[@davemeise2192]

I'm almost sad we can't use bears for drug or explosive detection. Can you imagine? There wouldn't be any more drug labs anywhere in your city and certainly no explosives either. They are incredible animals and I enjoy seeing them whenever I'm in the bush.

[@KevinOutdoors]

It would be great, and we wouldn't need a SWAT team to follow them. :)

[@karinaleitethomas3048]

Hi Kevin - in context of bear safety, how do you deal with clothes you have cooked and ate in (not necessarily food-soiled), and what method of dish washing do you use when in the backcountry? I ask the latter question because you mentioned in another comment you wash your dishes, but don't put them in a bear cannister or bag. Could you please elaborate? Thanks!

[@KevinOutdoors]

Great questions. Some people (I have friends) take a very reductionist approach and analyze every little detail and action regarding food smells in camp. I find I can only take that approach so far before it infringes on the purpose of being in the backcountry. I have a buddy who triple bags all his food then seals it in a food barrel, he pays strict attention to all drips and even has techniques for spooning jam and peanut butter to minimize smells. I can only take that approach so far. You will hear different options from different people and these different approaches can all be right. Sometimes, the right method will depend on where you are. Basically my goal is simply to minimize food smells, but recognizing that you can never be perfect. OK, here is what I do. For my clothes, unless I am on a long trip (more than a week) I don't wash them until I get home. You can only do so much and I don't think food smells in clothes (that aren't food soiled) are high on the list of priorities. On a longer trip I'll often do some clothes washing on a rest day if I feel there will be nice weather to dry them in the afternoon. If I was to spill something smelly on my clothes I would certainly wash at least that part of the garment. Dishwashing is another good question. I try my best to measure my meals properly and not have any leftovers and I clean out the pot as best I can while eating. If I am on a canoe trip I will likely bring a wash basin but if I am backpacking I won't. For backpacking I'll boil water and poor a cup or less into my pot, then I add a small drop of bio-degradable soap. I'll wash my cutlery first then the pot and I'll toss the waste water as far from camp as practical and not into a water body. Then I will rinse the cutlery and pot with the remaining water. Yes, I don't keep my cutlery or pots in my food bag. On most trips space in the food bag is at a premium. I've had bears in camp before and they always know where the food is, they don't go for washed pots. Bear behaviours change when you get deeper into the backcountry. Bears that haven't been habituated to campers aren't looking at your campsite as a source of a meal, unless you are leaving food or fish guts completely out. This is a whole other topic but on longer backcountry trips with multiple people the food barrel can get very large and be difficult to hang. In those situations, again only in the backcountry, I will tie my food barrel to a tree and stack my pots on top of it as an alarm. I have never had any issues with bears in the backcountry (except one), all problem bear encounters were in car camping or front country locations. The one backcountry 'problem' bear was a juvenile who swam out in the middle of the night to an island I was camping on. I don't think he was looking for food but was probably curious about me and my dog. We scared him off a number of times but he never left the island, so I just went to bed. I'll never know for sure but I don't think food attracted that bear. It wasn't showing any interest in my food hang.

[@xScarletflame]

Wow, I thought bears had AS good of a nose as dogs. No idea they put bloodhounds to shame. If only we could work with bears like we do dogs for detective work, could you imagine? lol

[@KevinOutdoors]

That would be amazing.

[@1967AJB]

Very good!

[@KevinOutdoors]

Thank you! Cheers Andy!

[@Kudos2me11]

What do you think about bringing spare bear spray to spray some sort of a perimeter around your campsite? Or at least somewhat around your three campsite areas? Since bears can detect smells so far away and detect the smell long after humans can, would you think that could be effective at warding off bears from investigating your campsite, and preventing the encounter in the first place?

[@KevinOutdoors]

Hey thanks for the question. No, please don't use bear spray in this manner. Bear spray only works when it makes contact with the mucus membranes of the bear's face (eyes, nose, mouth). Bears have a great sense of smell and are curious so if you put out a new scent in the area it could actually attract them.

[@Kudos2me11]

@@KevinOutdoors I appreciate the timely response! What you say makes sense though, thank you for the insight!

[@TheParanormalPathfinder]

Love your channel, been watching and liking video after video. I don't know if you know the answer but if a bear's smell is so good why are they startled?

[@KevinOutdoors]

Good question! It would seem that they are the most startled when the wind is in the wrong direction or when the surprise is rapid, like you come out of your house when they are already on your deck. They probably know you are inside or around but if you move quickly it likely is too quick of a change for them to pick up with their nose.

[@TheRealMrBeercan]

When my wife and I go camping, we burn everything. We even throw steel food cans into the campfire. Why? Because food and beverage containers give off odor when empty. A hot campfire destroys all smell. Anything left can be picked out of the ash before you leave and taken home with you. Usually all the aluminum foil and aluminum cans are gone. Sometimes we'll find some melted aluminum. Plastic always completely disintegrates. But if not, just pack it up and take it home. Burning paper or plastic plates and napkins is important because you don't want the bears to smell food residue. Also cooking with disposable pie and bread pans is good. It is almost impossible to clean pots and pans good enough to eliminate food odors. But when you are done cooking in disposable aluminum pie and bread pans, you just throw them in a good hot campfire and they're gone along with any odor they had. We also just open cans of food and heat then heat the food in the can. Then you don't have to worry about pots or pans to wash. And the important thing is you don't an odor on poorly washed pans.

[@BushcraftNFun]

Do you reccomend keeping your cook pot with your food bag and hanging it?

[@KevinOutdoors]

That isn't a bad idea but I don't bother hanging mine. I wash it out.

[@Gipsinette]

How do you proceed when you need to poop?

[@KevinOutdoors]

You are kidding right? If I need to poop, I dig a hole and poop. Then clean my hands. 😛

[@loddude5706]

Ideally then, you have a well trained pet Ninja Skunk called 'Hong Kong Squirty' - 'Cry havoc & let slip the pongs of war!' : )

[@ashbatz]

I live in Colorado and think about this a lot. A local woman was cooking bacon with her screen door open and a bear just ripped through the screen and sat on her couch. It's amazing what they can smell.

[@KevinOutdoors]

For sure!

[@alexthorbrand9024]

I guess Salmon is off the menu then !

[@KevinOutdoors]

LOL, not a great idea. :)

[@hansgoranhogstrom1900]

Hey Kevin, I know bears arent exactly picky eaters overall, but would there be smells they really dislike? Im thinking something that would make a bear feel that whatever the scent is rubbed into is not edible, really nasty to it or spoiled? Maybe somehow scenting our bear bags, our backpacks and ourselfes skin and clothing we can repell hungry curious bears coming to us? And maybe further improve our chances if a bear is or otherwise would be charging with the intent to prey on us as rare as that might be. that maybe being rubbed down with who knows some form of cleaner, diesel or whatever things bears really dislike the smell of? what would those things be if any that bears really do not like? And would some of those things perhaps be effective at all to deter a bear from searching the camp or prey on a human? I know bears rarely do prey on us and the vast majority of charges/mawlings are it defending its food, cubs, personal space or being caught off guard and suprised thus its reactionary and its defending itself. I know it is adviced to play dead while trying to protect your vital parts if a brown bear knocks you over, except if you know it has stalked you. but you cant always know if the bear has stalked, circled you or is preying on you so maybe scenting yourselfes could work in such a way the bear wouldnt concider you edible? If it is that rare bear that is preying on you playing dead wouldnt do you any good, if you dont know it has been tailing or circling you in silence and it rushes you out of the blue then maybe scenting could be like a final lifeline for the bear to loose interest in you as prey or avoid you all together if thats something it might had concidered if you smelled normal. Where I live gun laws are really strict so civillians cant just get them for the purpose of self defense. its only military and police while civilians can obtain certain types of firearms with certain stipulations through a longer process including phsyque evaluation, reccomendations from the right organizations/groups and has a purpose for the weapon like competetive shooting/marksmanship or hunting. and Im sure there is strict stipulations even if you get as far as having a permit for a firearm. And bearspray is illegal full stop, as is pepper spray and civilians cant have/carry them or easily obtain them, not legally anyways. but we do have brown bears in some areas in this country so Im interested to know what you think if smelling a particular way would do anything or not to help keep bears away/disinterested or be a last line of defense once knocked over to insure the bear wont concider you food?

[@KevinOutdoors]

I don't think there is any smell that a bear will try to avoid. Like dogs they are attracted to strong scents. They will even bite into a gas can presumably because they think it is interesting.

[@leomdk939]

Would you please address the idea that "pine essential oil and pine cleaners repel bears"? The internet seems to think it does ... it sounds like BS to me since bears mostly live in the pine woods here in Maine. Not sure why the scent of home, sweet home would repel them. Most everything to do with essential oils seems like BS, so I would assume this is, too, but if would be nice for you to address it since it is a popular idea among that crowd. Is it possible, at least, for pine oil to somewhat cover up other scents like food or is a bear's sense of smell too good for that?

[@z978ady]

No blueberry soap. walk a large radius around area you are camping or hiking to locate places bear like to shred deer carcuses and assess the threat.

[@KevinOutdoors]

No blueberry soap. I am going to remember that one! 😃

[@austintomkewitz7206]

Okay so if you punch it in the nose it's basically like chopping off a cats whiskers

[@KevinOutdoors]

LOL, I am not sure about that. I know this has worked for a few people but I wouldn't count on it for your plan 'A'.

[@Sanity135]

Me living in Australia where the largest terrestrial predator is no bigger than a border collie

[@KevinOutdoors]

Well now you can visit North America once this COVID stuff is over! 😀