When raccoons are a problem, hang food as you would for bears. For other animals, hang food a few feet above the ground-away from branches or tree limbs. Camp organization and cleanliness take on heightened significance in bear country. The primary concern here is safety, both for the visitor and the bear. Although black bears are shy and usually prefer to stay away from people, a bear can be a very dangerous animal if provoked or habituated to humans.
Personal safety is the first priority, but safety of the bear is also a concern.
Where bears are present, carefully follow the practices listed below. If a bear encounter occurs, it should be reported to the appropriate wildlife agency or land management office. Watch for signs of bears such as tracks, scat, claw marks, and diggings. It is best to move to another campsite if any recent bear activity is seen. Store food so that it's unavailable and uninviting to any wild animals.