Bears Broke Into 50 Cars at a California Resort Last Summer, Here's How To Avoid It
Mammoth Mountain, California, shared a bear-ly believable statistic about car break-ins, in hopes of reducing those numbers this year.
The California state flag has a bear on it, so it’s no shocker to see a curious Ursus population. However, in many places, they’ve gotten pretty comfortable around humans, which can pose a risk for all parties.
Last summer, more than 50 cars were broken into by bears in the Mammoth Mountain parking lots. Bears’ sense of smell is 2,100 times stronger than humans, which means they pick up scents from even the smallest things, like Chapstick or the last little bit of hot dog water floating in the bottom of your cooler.
Mammoth Mountain recommends removing all scents from your car and campsite, including trash, toiletries, or any food, while away, but this is a good rule of thumb anywhere there are bears.
Many campgrounds and resorts have bear containers you can use to store food and other scented objects overnight. At Mammoth, bear-proof containers are located by the “B” area parking sign, and guests parking overnight are encouraged to use them.
Always use bear-proof dumpsters and trash cans to dispose of garbage. We promise you’re smart enough to open them. See below for Mammoth’s tips for avoiding bear break-ins.
In California, the most common bear you’ll see is a black bear, although their coat can range in color from cinnamon brown to black.
Making noise while out on the trail is an easy way to keep bears away. (We’re fans of a good ‘Hey Bear!’ every so often, if you’re worried, or singing Johnny Corndawg’s Life of a Bear at top volume). If you do see a bear, keep your distance and never approach the animal. The bigger you can look, the less likely it is that the bear will approach you. In certain areas, carrying bear spray is also recommended.
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