U.S. Forest Service Implements Food Storage Policy
August 25, 2008 - To prevent bears and other wildlife from becoming problems at popular recreation areas in the Ocala, Osceola and Apalachicola National Forests, the U.S. Forest Service recently implemented a forest-wide Food Storage policy requiring proper storage and disposal of food, garbage and other attractants.
"Public safety is a high priority for the U.S. Forest Service," said Carl Petrick, U.S Forest Service Ecosystems Staff Officer. "Black bears are one of the natural inhabitants in our National Forests in Florida, and visitors need to be informed of how to properly store and dispose of food and attractants that have the ability to entice bears."
The policy, which took effect June 30, requires all forest visitors to properly store, possess or secure food, garbage and other attractants so that they are not easily accessible to wildlife. Attractants include anything having an odor that may attract bears, such as food, beverages, cooking grease, toothpaste, toiletries, soap, game meat, pet food, livestock feed or garbage.
According to the policy, all food, garbage and attractants must be properly stored in bear-resistant containers or hard-sided vehicles, or properly disposed of in bear-resistant trash receptacles. Items may also be suspended in "food hangs" at least 10 feet above the ground. Burning or burying any food, garbage or attractants are prohibited.
The U.S. Forest Service has taken additional measures by installing bear-resistant trash receptacles at recreation areas and ordering bear resistant dumpsters for a number of camping areas.
Visitors who do not follow the order can be fined.
With increased outdoor activities, it is not uncommon for visitors to occasionally observe various animals, especially Florida Black Bears. There are an estimated 2,000 black bears living in the National Forests in Florida, with the Ocala National Forest's Juniper Wilderness area consisting of the highest concentration.
A black bear's diet consists of ready available food at any given time of year. Thus, they are reasonably attracted to scents of human food, game carcasses, pet food, bird seed, garbage, livestock feed and other attractants, and may forage over larger areas in search for food. When bears can easily obtain such non-natural food sources, they begin to associate humans with food. As a result, they abandon their natural food sources and quickly become conditioned to handouts. This unnatural behavior may lead to aggressive behavior towards humans or even cause property damage.
The National Forests in Florida encourage visitors to educate themselves about wildlife and bear behavior in order to promote safe and responsible stewardship of wildlife habitats and to prevent adverse human and wildlife confrontations.
In order to minimize bear attractants, lessen the likelihood of bear conflicts and make your visit safe, visitors are encouraged to following these simple precautions:
- NEVER, under any circumstances, feed a bear. It is illegal.
- Never leave food or coolers unattended.
- Keep campsites clean of food and food wrappers.
- Properly dispose of garbage in bear-proof containers or trashcans or take out what you bring in - don't bury or burn it.
- Do not cook or store food in or near your tent.
- Store food, toiletries and garbage in properly sealed containers, hard-sided vehicles, or in "food hangs" at all times. Food hangs should be at least 10 feet off the ground and at least four feet from the trunk of a tree.
- Do not store scented items (deodorant, toothpaste, lotion) in your tent.
- Do not sleep in the clothes that you cook in.
- Avoid hiking trails at night.
- NEVER approach a bear - they are wild animals and can be dangerous.
- NEVER run from a bear - back slowly away and make lots of noise.
Visitors and forest residents should take the actions listed above to prevent bear problems and alert the campground host or District Ranger Offices if a bear is present in or around camping and recreation areas. Most often, if attractants are removed, bears will move on and not return.
