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Do Scents Attract Bears?

Bears have a sense of smell that is seven times greater than a bloodhound, according to The American Bear Association. At the time of publication, wildlife experts have seen a significant surge in bear population with at least three times as many grizzly bears in Yellowstone and Glacier national parks as there were in the 1970s, according to Chris Servheen, the grizzly bear recovery coordinator for the Fish and Wildlife Service. Bears use their keen sense of smell to hunt for food, a survival activity which has become more competitive given the rise in bear population.

Biology
- A bear̵7;s nasal mucous membrane is 100 times larger than a human̵7;s, giving the animal its amazing sense of smell, according to The American Bear Association. Bears also have a Jacobson̵7;s Organ, also known as a vomeronasal organ, located in the roof of their mouths which enhances their capability to smell. The organ detects non-volatile chemical cues that require physical contact with the source emitting the odor.
Sense of Smell
- No animal has a better sense of smell than a bear, according to the American Bear Association. The large animals use their sense of smell to locate mates, communicate with other bears, identify cubs, detect and avoid danger and hunt for food. Bears can detect a human scent more than 14 hours after the person has passed the location.
Food
- Campers, hikers and residents in locations where bears live are insistently warned to stow away food to prevent any interaction with bears. With the exception of disinfectant household cleaners, camphor and ammonia, everything else can smell like food to a bear, so people need to take extra precautions.
  Barbecue grills must be cleaned after each and every use to include burning off food residue and grease, as well as cleaning the grills with an ammonia-based cleaner. If the grill is portable, it should be stored in a garage or shed.
  The scent from garbage and compost piles will also attract bears. Garbage should be kept in air-tight containers. If possible, store the garbage inside or tied up in a tree at least 12 feet high. Residents in bear locations are not advised to have a compost pile, but can add some lime to speed up the composition and reduce the garbage-like smell if they insist on this type of waste reduction.
Plants
- Bears don̵7;t only eat meat; they will eat fruits, nuts and herbs as well. Before you plant a new tree or shrub in your yard, check with your local wildlife authority to find out if the plant will attract bears.
  The seed used in bird feeders and your pet̵7;s food is another source of food for bears. Wildlife experts caution people to remove all bird and pet feeders from April through November when bears are out of hibernation and to never leave pet food outside.

Animals & Science