I can't stand bears because of this. Usually lose a couple cameras a year because of them. I haven't tried the Vicks vapor rub but will have to try it. My best luck has been to take a climbing stick and hang it about 10' off the ground and angle it down. I have still had them climb the tree to mess with the camera but have found if I put it on a smaller tree they won't climb it. Even with it in the tree though I have still had them be able to pull the solar panel cable out since it connects to the bottom of the camera. What is odd is I have a camera beside my house they never mess with but my 3 up on the mountain behind the house they won't leave alone.