(BYU wildlife biologist Tom Smith studies bear-human conflicts. His latest study found that discharging a gun made no statistical difference in the outcomes of 269 Alaska incidents. An armed person was just as likely to get mauled whether or not he fired. Courtesy photo)

Don’t mess with Smokey the B.

Who’s for dinner? » Wild Aware Utah offers wildlife etiquette lessons for campers.

By glen warchol

| The Salt Lake Tribune

First Published Apr 24 2012 04:10 pm • Last Updated Apr 24 2012 04:10 pm

The great part about trekking Utah’s back country is that it is still wild.

The downside for unprepared hikers, bikers and campers is that it’s sometimes a little too wild.

Quick question: What would you do if you stumbled into a moose while hiking? Do you know how to pitch a camp that doesn’t become a fast-food stop for bears? Do you like to sleep with a PB&J sandwich for a pillow?

Even if you think you can answer those questions, a refresher course is probably in order. The Wild Aware Utah is a conservation program working to help minimize conflict between people and wildlife. The program’s partners are Hogle Zoo, the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, Wildlife Protection Society and Utah State University Cooperative Extension (USU)

Wild Aware Utah is offering a free program on Thursday April 26,, 7 p.m. at the Salt Lake REI, 3285 E 3300 South, Salt Lake City, 801-486-2100.

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