🐻 1. Bear Casually Opens Car Door to Steal Food 📺 Watch on Instagram A black bear walks up to an SUV and opens the car door as if it were a human. It rummages around, clearly used to associating vehicles with food.
Lesson: Always lock your doors, even in remote areas. Bears have learned to identify cars as food sources — even gum or sunscreen can attract them.
Pro Tip: Store food and scented items in bear-proof containers, or better yet, keep them far from your vehicle and tent.
🦌 2. Moose Charges at Hikers on a Snowy Trail 📺 Watch on Instagram Two hikers walk too close to a mother moose and her calf. The moose charges at full speed, and the hikers barely escape.
Lesson: Moose may seem docile, but they’re highly territorial—especially during calving season. Always keep a 75+ foot distance.
Pro Tip: If a moose lays its ears back or starts stomping, back away slowly and put a large object between you and the animal.
🦊 3. Fox Steals Shoes One by One from Campsite 📺 Watch on Instagram This sneaky fox repeatedly raids a campsite, stealing sandals and sneakers and hiding them nearby in a burrow.
Lesson: Foxes and other small mammals are curious and can carry off gear. Don’t assume your items are safe just because they’re close.
Pro Tip: Use a sealed gear tote or keep shoes inside your tent or car at night.
🐍 4. Snake-Infested Creek After Heavy Rain in Texas 📺 Watch on Instagram After a storm, dozens of snakes appear in a flooded area of Barton Creek Greenbelt, Austin. The pond becomes a slithering hazard zone.
Lesson: Rain and heat can flush snakes from hiding. Be cautious near rivers, creeks, or underbrush — especially after storms.
Pro Tip: Always check water before entering. Wear boots or protective water shoes when hiking wet terrain.
🦌 5. Moose Destroys Cooler in Campsite While Campers Watch 📺 Watch on Instagram A moose walks into a campsite, flips over a cooler, and rummages through supplies — undeterred by humans watching nearby.
Lesson: Even moose can develop food-seeking behavior. Don't leave food out in open containers, even in moose territory.
Pro Tip: Treat moose like bears when it comes to food safety. Store everything securely and never try to scare them off.
🧭 Bonus: General Wildlife Safety Tips for Campers • Distance matters: Always stay 75–100 feet away from wildlife. • Don’t feed them: Feeding wildlife is illegal in many parks and dangerous for everyone. • Use unscented gear: Fragrances attract all kinds of curious animals. • Hang food or use bear boxes: Especially in predator-rich zones. • Travel in groups: Noise and visibility often deter wild animals.
📣 Join the Conversation Have you had a wildlife encounter while camping? Tag us in your reels or photos on Instagram @thetentstorecom with the hashtag #TentStoreTales for a chance to win a $100 gift card.