>>2100319If you want to avoid animals in general don't camp at established camp sites. You're better off to stealth in a place that looks like no one's camped there before. Animals remember where they have gotten easy meals before and are likely to come back. Also, if possible eat dinner a few miles before you are going to camp for the night and try to keep your food sealed up till morning. In the a.m. eat and be on your way. You can hang your food, but I seldom do that any more. I use an odor proof food bag, then wrap it in my pack liner and then seal it in my pack. 3 layers of odor protection. Basically, be smart, be organized and you most likely won't have any issues.
I have had black bears at camp before, but no real issues there. And I was bluff charged by a black bear with cubs. I didn't make a bunch of noise or run away. I just stayed calm, did my best to not show fear and slowly backed away. You have to judge the situation. Sometimes if you go making a bunch of noise and flailing around you could be perceived as the aggressor and the bear will attack you.
