“Bear” are known for stalking shelters (Why else do Shelters have Bear Cables?) and for snooping around the tent sites close by. But why? Why do bear come around Shelters designed for people? What are bear searching for? What is it that bear really want?
Let me assure you that their intention is not to eat you… but to eat what you eat and to eat what you have.
Slipper and I were recently at an Appalachian Trail Shelter and quickly noticed remnant dog food left behind… not to mention some remnant human food in the shelter itself.
So… if you were a hungry or curious bear, might this be appealing to you? Sure!
So what is the solution? Pretty simple, right? LEAVE NO TRACE BEHIND!
Bottom line… what you take out… pack out (rather than leave out what you take out). Who knows? If there is nothing laying around to eat… perhaps bear will stay away from shelters rather than stalk shelters.
