Animals in the forest

[hypophthalmus]

I've used my scooter to go camping twice.

Both times, a wild animals tried to burrow into my seat. The first time a bear cub, the second a raccoon.

The racoon was especially problematic, as it had no fear of people. I eventually got it to stop after I charged at it. Even then, it just climbed a couple feet up the nearest tree where I could have just reached out and touched it.

In addition to the damage to the seat (not that bad, but still some holes) I'm thinking this is probably a dangerous practice. Next it could be an adult black bear with no fear of humans.

Any ideas of how to not attract animals?

[Mr. Paul]

Did you store or bring food under your seat?

[h2ou8n4]

Park rangers in national and state parks used to use rock salt loads in small bore shotguns to run critters out of camp sites. Are you a gun guy? Also there's pepper spray.

[ScooterWolf]

A tarp over the scooter, and possibly spritz/spray sone ammonia on it. I'll ask the same question, are you keeping food under your seat?

- Wolf

[hypophthalmus]

I did keep food under the seat. It's certain they were trying to burrow in because they smelled it.

I could keep it in the top case. If I left it on, it would just move the problem over (and I think the top cases are more expensive than the seats). If I moved it somewhere, I would have to trust that it's bear/raccoon resistant which I'm not so sure about. Or find some way to hang it (far away from the camp site) in such a way that neither animal could reach it.

Maybe there's some way to seal in the smells as well? I'm not sure about that though.

[hypophthalmus]

Interesting about the ammonia. I might try that. I think the tarp would just give them a tarp to shred up though.

Firing guns at a campground sounds like bad practice. I know I'd be alarmed to hear one go off at 3 in the morning. Both times I woke up to them already climbing on the scooter also, and I'm not sure what rock salt might do to it.

Pepper spray on hand is probably a good idea. I really don't know how else I'd feel safe with a black bear traipsing around with the fearlessness of the raccoon I encountered.

[ScooterWolf]

Are you in a community campground, or in a more isolated shot? Some parks in Oregon have what's called bear boxes. Theses are steel cases with lids so you can put food, and coolers inside and pad lock them shut. Bears, and other creatures can't get in.

If in a community spot, some people will hang their coolers from a branch high enough to stop a bear from getting it. Can't say if it will stop a raccoon though. A tarp will allow you to cover it with some kind of a repellant rather than putting it on your bike. Careful with the pepper-spray as the wind can blow it back your way, or over towards over campers.

- Wolf

[ole two wheels]

Bears and coons both fear dogs, large or small,and dogs make good camp mates. You could strap a crate on your ride and take a pooch along. I'll bet Dan, Deb and Toby don't have critter problems when they scamp.


Mac