Pull slowly to avoid tangles. By making loud noises and throwing objects you can often scare bears away before they get to your food. Be bold, but keep a safe distance and use good judgment. Never attempt to retrieve food from a bear. Never approach a bear or get near a cub.
Bears are active both day and night.
At night and any time you are away from camp, remove all food from your pack and store it properly. Leave your pack on the ground with flaps and pockets open. If a bear does get your food, you are responsible for cleaning up and packing out all debris, and for reporting it to the nearest ranger. However, bear damage and confrontations are still possible, even when all guidelines are followed. All bears in the Sierra Nevada are American black bears, Ursus americanus .