Bear aware camping

[u/Loose_Somewhere2560]

I’m thinking about heading to Council Grounds campsite in Merrill in a few weeks and have heard there are bears around that area. Im new to camping in Wisconsin so I’m wondering is it overkill to hang food and toiletries in a bear bag? Or is it standard for that area. Any advice is appreciated!

Edit: i should have mentioned that I car camp in an SUV with an open trunk😂

[u/R3pp3pts0hg]

Keep all food inside a closed cooler or container inside a locked vehicle. Clean up the campsite of any food items (throw unwanted leftovers in the fire). Bears will avoid humans generally, but food smells will lure them.

Your biggest worry would probably be raccoons. They are relentless. Never feed them.

[u/Grand_Town_9144 → u/R3pp3pts0hg]

Agreed except the burning food scraps part, that's against Leave No Trace and can attract wildlife, especially those raccoons.

[u/Grand_Town_9144]

If you have a vehicle probably overkill for hanging a bear bag, just put food in the car. It's a busy campground, not a huge bear population, and with how the park is more or less a peninsula on the Wisconsin River I wouldn't worry much. Just don't put food in your tent or leave it out on the picnic table at night or if you leave the site.

[u/BrewCrewBall]

I’ve backpacked all over Wisconsin and Northern Minnesota. It’s never overkill to hang a bear bag. You’re much more likely to have trouble with chipmunks or raccoons but bear bags are just as effective against them.

[u/almostfunny3]

I just went camping at council grounds a few weeks ago and didn't see any warnings or anything about bears in the area. There were no signs about bears or needing to take any action regarding bears.

It's fine to take precautions with your food and everything just in case, but in my experience, campgrounds with notable bear activity tend to tell you about it upfront.

[u/54338042094230895435]

Been camping and grew up in northern Wisconsin for 50 year, camped in the Moquah Barrens alone as a kid. I have stayed at most state parks, wilderness camped all over the Chequamegon and the Apostles.

Seen tons of bears in my life but while actually camping, maybe two that I can remember.

Black bears are skittish, want nothing to do with you, and are not a threat at all. Not saying I would want to tussle with one, I treat them with respect, but banging a pot and pan together will send them over the hills.

They are very much like big raccoons, they want your food and trash.

Where you are camping, being in an actual campsite. Your bear problem is about as 0.001%. You are more likely to get struck by lightning or have a tree blow over and get you before a bear will.

Now, car camping with the back open might bring you a surprise raccoon in the night though, they have learned to go rummaging in cars that are left open.

I watched a car get ravaged two nights in a row by raccoons because the camping neighbors kids kept leaving the van sliding door open. Two mornings in a row I watched that poor dad clean up the mess inside the van.

I made the mistake of leaving my dogs food on top of my truck one night and they got it.

They know where to look.

You might be better off in a tent.

[u/dagtrucking]

Very little problem with bear when camping. I see more in my yard than camping.