Many people choose to experience a minimalist yurt life, which offers a simpler life that is debt-free and definitely closer to nature. But it is not without its drawbacks. Sometimes there are uninvited guests, such as bears.
Whether you want to try yurt living for a short time or make it permanent, it always takes to consider how to prevent bears from disturbing you.
One common question is whether yurts can keep bears out.
This is a valid concern because bears like food and can damage property and be dangerous to people.
So are yurts bear-proof? How to keep bears away from yurts?
This article will answer them one by one for you, and propose methods that can cut the risk of bear encounters.
Are Yurts Bear Proof？
First, this is not a simple yes or no answer.
Judging from the structure of the yurt.
Yurts are a kind of portable shelter that comes from Central Asia. They are made of a wooden frame that can be taken apart and covered with felt canvas, or other materials that are similar.
Thus, yurts are not inherently bear-proof.
To be exact, no structure is completely bear-proof.
So can the structure of a yurt resist bear damage?
It depends on the situation, such as the size of the bear, how strong the yurt is, and what measures you take.
The circular shape of the yurt makes it a stable and damage-resistant structure.
If the walls of the yurt are strong, they can stop bear force entry from getting inside. They might still damage the outside made of canvas.
Therefore, the yurt can resist attacks by most small and medium-sized wild animals.
Why Bears Be Attracted to Yurts？
A major reason bears are attracted to yurts is that they detect the presence of food.
Bears spend most of their time in the wild foraging, Bears have a keen sense of smell. Most bears can smell up to 20 miles away, while polar bears have the best sense of smell and can smell up to 40 miles away.
If your food has a strong smell, bears will be attracted to it.
When your yurt overlaps with the bear’s habitat, bears instinctively check it out, to protect their territory and their cubs.
Bear attacks are uncommon. Most bears that come into areas where humans live are looking for food or safety, not looking to cause problems.
Strategies to Minimize Bears Appearing in Your Yurt
Reduce food odor emission
Using bear-resistant food storage containers to store food and other scented items. Store flavorful foods in Bear Proof Coolers.
Bear Proof Coolers both keep food longer and prevent odors from escaping. Avoid cooking foods with strong odors, such as fish or bacon.
Also, try not to cook meat in the yurt.
Finally, avoid wearing clothes with food odors when inside the yurt, you can cook and eat at least 100 feet away from your yurt.
Store food away from the yurt
If necessary, keep all food and things that attract bears, like toiletries and garbage, in special containers that bear can’t open. Hang the container from a tree that is at least 100 feet away from your yurt. Make sure the tree is strong enough to hold the container.
Keep the area around the yurt clean
Keep the environment near the yurt clean and dispose of domestic waste in time. Do not store garbage in your yurt or nearby
Household waste that is not disposed of in time is easily spoiled, producing a smell that attracts bears. Not only that, but it can also attract mosquitoes and other rodents.
After every meal, clean all cooking utensils and dishes thoroughly and dispose of waste in a bear-resistant manner.
Sometimes, bears would be attracted to human poop.
Human poop contains a lot of calories and nutrients that bears can use as a food source. When humans eat a diet high in fat and protein, their poop becomes very attractive to bears. Disposing of human waste in a bear-resistant manner properly, such as by burying it at least 200 feet away from any water sources or campsites.
Using ammonia to repel bears
Bears hate the smell of ammonia. You can regularly spray ammonia on the outer fabric covering of your yurt. This not only masks the smell of food inside the yurt but also effectively repels bears.
Hanging cloth strips soaked in ammonia at the door of the yurt can also prevent bears from breaking in.
Fortify your yurt
Building a perimeter deck around the yurt. you can embed sheet metal between the outer shell canvas and insulation.
Even if a bear scratches the canvas covering on the outside of a yurt, it cannot damage the structure of the yurt.
Use bear-resistant windows and doors, or reinforce existing ones with metal bars or grates.
Adding bear-proof locks to all doors and windows.
Install fences around yurts
Installing an electric fence around the perimeter of the yurt. This can be an effective deterrent for bears, as they will be shocked if they attempt to cross the fence, the drawback is it does need power. The fence must be properly installed and maintained to ensure that it is effective.
Install a bear alarm
In addition to physical barriers, it is also a good idea to install alarms around the yurt. These can be set to go off if a bear approaches, which can help to scare the bear away. It is important to make sure that the alarms are loud enough to be heard by the occupants of the yurt.
What Should You Do if You Encounter a Bear?
Encountering a bear can be a frightening experience. If you encounter a bear around a yurt, only by taking the right measures can you escape unscathed.
First and foremost, it’s important to remain calm. As we said before, bears are generally not interested in attacking humans, and keeping your cool can help prevent the situation from escalating.
To let a bear know you’re a person, wave your arms slowly. The bear may approach or stand up to get a better look.
Running or climbing a tree is not a good idea, as bears are fast and excellent climbers. Instead, try to make yourself look bigger by raising your arms and standing on your tiptoes or waving your arms. This can help deter the bear from approaching you.
If the bear does approach you, speak in a calm, firm voice and try to slowly back away. Avoid sudden movements, as these can startle the bear and cause it to attack. If the bear charges at you, use bear spray if you have it. Aim for the bear’s face to disorient it.
Slowly back away from the bear, making sure to avoid direct eye contact. If you can’t go a different way, wait until the bear goes away. Make sure the bear can always run away if it wants to.
Final Thoughts
Living in a yurt can be a great way to experience a closer-to-nature lifestyle. However, consider the potential risks that come with living in a bear country. By following the tips outlined in this article, you can help reduce the risk of bear encounters and damage to your yurt. To stay safe from bears while living in a yurt, it’s important to prevent any bear encounters. Follow the safety measures to have a pleasant living experience.
