Some of the most beautiful camping and scenery known to man takes place in areas where bears thrive. But this shouldn't discourage you from taking in all that nature has to offer. With a little caution and preparedness, you will be able to safely camp amongst bears and have a great time doing it.

The number one rule to follow is to never, under any circumstance, store food in or near your tent. This also includes any items that may smell like food. Toothpaste, lozenges and breath mints have all been known to attract bears. And don't forget that when cooking, your clothes can absorb food like smells.

Setting up a living area separate from your sleeping area will greatly reduce the chances of a bear attack. Make sure your living area is downwind from your sleeping area and at least fifty yards away. This living area will consist of all of your cooking and kitchen supplies and will be the area that all the eating, cleaning and hanging out occur at. It's also a good idea to change out of your food smelling clothes and into to your sleeping clothes in this area just before going to sleep.

Always make sure your food smelling items are stored properly. If your car is located near by it is a good idea to lock these items in the trunk of your car. Many campgrounds now offer storage bins to safely store your food smelling items. When you are deep in the country camping and you have no access to a storage bin or car, then all you will need is a tree and about 25 feet of rope. This way you can safely hang your gear in the tree for the night.

In some circumstances, there might not be a tree in sight. This is no problem. Most outdoor stores sell bear proof storage bins so you can easily store your items at night. These range from $25-$75 and are a wise investment. This is also an easier alternative to hanging your food from a tree. Keep in mind that you still want to leave the container in your kitchen area, and not in your sleeping area. While the container might be bear proof, it's not a chance you want to take.

By following these simple rules you can spend less time worrying about bears and more time enjoying the great outdoors!