I’m trying to put together a sensible set of best practices when hiking and camping in bear country. The suggestions so far leave me confused.

How do you safely carry food while hiking? In a bear canister only? No readily accessible snacks? No eating while hiking along?

I get cooking far from where you camp, but change out of clothes you cook and eat in? Treat cooking and eating clothes like food and put in a smell proof container? Is a freezer-type ziplock good enough?

No deodorant on your person or in your car?

We are supposed to stay in approved camp sites that have supposedly bear-proof boxes. Doesn’t this mean we are required to camp in areas of known bear activity?

Leave no food in your car. But what about my BOB and car kit emergency food? Isn’t it sealed in packages that eliminate odor?

Between the bear spray and at least one bear canister for food, another almost $200 is required!

Going 200 yards from camp at night to pee? The old pee bottle is no longer a wise option?