Most wildlife encounters at campsites are not caused by unlucky timing. They are caused by a small, repeated set of food-storage mistakes — the kind that feel harmless in the moment but add up over a trip.
This checklist covers the most common errors campers make with food and scented items, along with what to do if wildlife shows up at your site despite your precautions.
Common Food Storage Mistakes
Leaving Food in the Tent "Just for Tonight"
This is the single most common mistake. Even a sealed snack bag or a piece of gum carries enough scent to attract an animal to your sleeping area. Food and scented items belong in a vehicle, locker or approved container — never in the tent, even briefly.
Assuming a Closed Cooler Is a Secure Cooler
A cooler lid that is closed but not latched is not the same as a secured cooler. Many wildlife-resistant coolers require an actual locking mechanism to be effective. Check that your cooler is properly latched every time.
Leaving Dirty Dishes Until Morning
Grease and food residue on plates, pans and utensils are just as attractive to wildlife as the food itself. Wash cookware immediately after eating, not after you relax by the fire.
Storing Food in a Soft-Sided Bag or Backpack
Soft bags do not block scent and offer no physical barrier to a determined animal. Use hard-sided storage, a vehicle trunk or an approved bear-resistant container instead.
Forgetting Non-Food Scented Items
Toothpaste, sunscreen, deodorant and soap are frequently overlooked. These should be stored with your food, not left in a tent pocket or toiletry bag.
Burning Food Scraps in the Campfire
Partially burned food does not lose its scent. It can continue to attract wildlife long after the fire has died down. Pack out food waste instead of burning it.
Leaving Trash Out "Until the Morning Pickup"
Trash should be treated with the same urgency as food. Seal it and store it securely overnight, not left in an open bag or bin at the campsite.
Not Securing Food During Day Trips
Wildlife activity does not pause while you are out hiking. Food left at an empty campsite during the day is just as much at risk as food left out overnight.
Emergency Checklist: If Wildlife Approaches Your Site
- Stay calm. Do not run. Sudden movement can trigger a chase response in some animals.
- Make yourself appear larger. Stand up, raise your arms and group together with others at the site.
- Make noise. Speak loudly and firmly. Avoid high-pitched screaming, which can sound like distress.
- Back away slowly. Keep the animal in view while calmly increasing distance. Do not turn your back.
- Do not approach for any reason. Never move toward an animal to retrieve food, trash or belongings.
- Get to a secure location. A vehicle or hard-sided structure is safer than an open tent.
- Report the encounter. Notify campground staff or park rangers as soon as possible, even if the animal leaves on its own.
- Do not return to reclaim food. If an animal has accessed your food or cooler, leave the area and let staff handle cleanup.
After the Encounter
Once the situation is resolved:
- Inspect your site for any remaining food or scented items.
- Re-secure all storage before resuming activities.
- Consider relocating your cooking area if the animal returns.
- Follow any additional guidance provided by campground staff.
Prevention Is Simpler Than Response
Every mistake on this list is avoidable with a consistent routine: secure food and scented items, clean cookware promptly, seal trash immediately and never treat "just this once" as an exception.
CampCore tip: Do a two-minute storage check before bed, every night, regardless of how the day went. Consistency prevents far more problems than reacting after the fact.