Yeah this is one of those things you sometimes have to learn the hard way... as stated Bears are actually the least annoying critter- black bears at least- will run away 99.9% of the time from a full grown man with trecking poles waving- so the threat of them doesn't worry me... and they are very scattered out... RARE.

It's the small critters I HATE... mice are like little LASERS that will eat into your tent wall- into your pack- into your stuff sack- into your water bladder- and into your ziplock bag of breakfast food you had planned for the morning.
Raccoons are nasty and carry rabies.
Skunks well duh...

nothing is SAFE... hike out 100 yrds... tie up your bag and be done with it!

ALSO don't forget tolietries! TOOTHPASTE is like icecream to other animals.