If you camp near bears ...

New Mexico's Department of Game and Fish offers these suggestions if you camp near bears:

• Keep garbage in airtight containers inside your storage area. Place garbage outside in the morning just before pickup, not the night before. Occasionally clean cans with ammonia or bleach.

• Remove bird feeders. Bears see them as sweet treats, and often they will look for other food sources nearby.

• Clean and store outdoor grills after use. Bears can smell sweet barbecue sauce and grease for miles.

• Never intentionally feed bears to attract them for viewing. If you intentionally feed a bear and the bear becomes a nuisance, you could be cited and fined up to $500 -- and the bear eventually may have to be killed.

• Keep your camp clean, and store food and garbage properly at all times. Use bear-proof containers when available. If not, suspend food, coolers and garbage from a tree at least 10 feet off the ground and four feet out from the tree trunk.

• Keep your tent and sleeping bag free of all food smells. Store the clothes you wore while cooking or eating with your food.

• Sleep a good distance from your cooking area or food storage site.