- Food and
food-related supplies must not be left in vehicles parked overnight
at trailheads. Vehicles containing food overnight may be impounded
and/or cited. Currently in Yosemite there are storage boxes
for backpackers departing from most trailheads. Ask for locations
when acquiring a wilderness permit.
- If your
car will be parked in Yosemite after dark, it must not contain
any food or related items. Vehicles containing food overnight
may be cited and/or impounded. Property damage caused by black
bears in Yosemite exceeded $30,000 in 2001 with over 200 bear-human
conflicts occurring. Most of these incidents were caused by
improper food storage.
- Bears have
damaged cars for as little as a stick of gum or an empty soda
can, so thoroughly search you car and remove all potential bear
attractants. Bears can clearly smell any food in a car, even
when it's stored in the vehicle's trunk!
- Bears recognize
ice chests, grocery bags, and other food-related supplies. Such
items, even when empty, have residual odors. Remove them from
vehicles and store them securely. Also remove drinks, garbage,
and scented articles such as soap, sunscreen, and toothpaste
from vehicles. Don't forget to check the glove compartment!
- Clear your
car's interior of clutter. This will reduce the chances of a
bear mistaking an article for food, and increase the chances
that you will find any stray french fries or other overlooked
food. Child car seats should be removed from vehicles since
they often have residual food smells.
- Remove
all trash and place it in animal-resistant trash cans or dumpsters.
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