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Home > Programs and Policy > Wildlife Conservation > Conservation Solutions > Coexisting with Carnivores > Outdoor Recreation

Avoid Attracting Wildlife With Wildlife-Resistant Containers

Keep wildlife wild by using methods to reduce or prevent ways to attract wildlife to human food.

Backpackers’ caches are specially designed wildlife-resistant food canisters. The containers are lightweight to carry around in a backpack or strapped to the outside. Read about a partnership in California that provided backcountry users with bear-proof canisters.

Food storage lockers and bins installed at campsites provide a simple way that campers can secure their foods and thus keep both themselves and the bears safe from dangerous encounters. Read about a project Defenders supported in Idaho.

Hanging food is just one way to keep food out of reach of wildlife, particularly bears. Food poles help reduce attracting bears to campsites. Defenders has worked to provide food hanging poles in the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest and Shoshone National Forest. These structures keep food out of reach of bears and enable hunters and recreationists to hang their food and quarry safely in the backcountry.

Bear-resistant panniers offer outfitters a place to store food and garbage. They can be placed on pack animals while traveling through the backcountry. Defenders has partnered with the Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management to provide panniers on loan to outfitters and guides.

Portable electric fences can effectively deter wildlife from entering an area temporarily, especially areas with little trees or other options for protecting yourself. They are very light weight and powerful. When contact is made with the fence, an electronic shock will be delivered to the animal and help to deter attempts to visit a campsite.

The Living with Wildlife Foundation's Recreating in Bear, Wolf and Mountain Lion Country Guide, which offers information about products effective in reducing wildlife attractants.

The Alaska Department of Fish and Game - Wildlife Division offers information about purchasing bear-resistant containers for use at your home or business, or while enjoying the outdoors.