When camping in areas full of bears & cougars?

Animals respond more to smell than anything. Just be careful about hanging all your food, or use a bear container. The only difference terrain will make is if you happen to camp next to a "rubbing tree," a tree a bear has decided he likes to scratch himself on. But camping in a clearing leaves you very open to wind, which makes for a very cold night. You'll hear animals, I guarantee it, but that's why you're camping! Also, you're supposed to be about 100 yards form any lake or river, for environmental reasons.