Let's not forget that ANYTHING that has a scent should go in the bear can as well!! Tooth paste, Deo, scented soaps or lotions etc. Bears will go after those as well.
We tested the first bear canisters in Yosemite in 1979. I did my backpacking before they were available, but avoided heavily-used areas and rarely had bear problems.
All through Boundary Waters and up into Ontario canoeing....Never had a bear problem. Always sleep under a large tarp, never in a tent, and always keep my food and gear close to me under the tarp. Most people really should just stay home where they feel safe!
I grew up camping in Yosemite Valley with my parents and siblings. At that time they still had the dump where trash from dumpsters was unloaded. We used to call it the "bear pit" because people used to drive up and park their cars to watch the bears rummage through the garbage! This was long before they had bear boxes and it was common, believe it or not, to keep your food in the tent or car! Only once did a bear get into the tent of my aunt and uncle who were camping at the site next to ours. My uncle threw a box at the bear and it ran off. I can't believe it used to be like that in Yosemite!
Good idea about the reflective tape, I like that one. Bears are taught by their mothers people mean food, meaning we have food almost always. Once a bear is "trained" like this it is not likely going to stop the hunt for easy food. Bears that you can scare away from just your voice are most likely not used to humans, like the one you encountered returned multiple times is highly likely could attack if hungry enough. I spent years as a guide trying to keep people calm in bear country because there is some predictable habits but once they eat human food it is much more unpredictable. Be safe out there.
I appreciate your views & reasons for bear canister use. As you said their a useful deterrent for all animals looking for a snack. Once you get use to them it just becomes part of your kit & routine. Thanks for sharing! Especially your bear experiences. Makes me feel all the better about canister use.
Thanks so much! That’s what I’ve found, too. I don’t give it a second thought when packing. The canister always fits and I think the benefits far outweigh the drawbacks. Stay safe!
Black bear intelligence and retrieving food hangs is the main reason many NFS areas require a canister now. The Bear Vault is much better than Garcia Machine rented by the park service. I met some folks on trail in the Sierras and a guy told me how a black bear approached during lunch break and grabbed a pack. I've had to camp across three states in grizzly country with food hanging and it makes for light sleeping even with bear spray. So many people in certain areas today, I carry bear spray even in black bear areas because they are too accustomed to hikers.
I know, they are so smart! Thanks for sharing your experiences. Sharing the outdoors with these amazing animals is unavoidable making it so important to be educated and prepared.
In my many years in the back country, mostly in canoe areas we tried to cook a hot meal late in the afternoon long way from our intended camp spot. I have never had to use a bear canister but They seems to be much better solution that hanging your food. Smart bears soon learn to shake the rope tied to the trunk of the tree. Over the years I have found Ravins and racons a bigger problem and a lot smarter than bears. My worst problem are bears that come into camp and acted like the family dog and just hung around. When that happens, that tells me people have been hand feeding the bears and it is time to get the Hell out of the area.
I have had mama bears send babies up the tree to bite the rope. Hanging never works against determined bears. Treeline environments in the Sierras also lack large trees, and bears will go there to get camper food.
Regular in the BWCA. We always double bag our food in airtight bags packed into our bear bag. We hang every time and have never had a problem in 20+ years. We also avoid the heavily used routes which probably helps.
Nice video. I've used a bear vault the past few years with success. As a fish/game officer I've been in many camps where the bear got the goodies from the bag that was hung in the tree.
Thanks for the tips. I can't believe I never thought of putting reflective tape on my Bear Vault. Here are my two tips: 1) Use light, weak stretch cordage or thread to tie a bear bell around the canister to alert you to the presence of a bear messing with it. It must be weak enough to break, lest a bear use it as a carry handle. 2) I recommend the Seek Outside Divide 79L backpack. It fits the largest Bear Vault inside, horizontally, yet it is ultralight. It also has many other features. The strap buckles are clever and handy. It is only slightly heavier than my Z-Packs Arc Haul, but it is more comfortable and it is rated to carry up to 200 lbs.! It carries 45 lbs. better than the Arc Haul carries 35 lbs. It is awesome for winter hikes because of its volume, too. The construction is so rugged that I suspect it could manage the Triple Crown and still have miles of hiking left in it.
Thanks so much for the tips! I will have to check out that pack. I have been considering the Arc Haul 60L, but it sounds like it is too compact for most bear canisters.
@@jfowler I would not buy the Arc haul again. It squeaks. It squeaks and it squeaks and it squeaks. The V-strap Z-Packs offers that's supposed to be able to mount a canister to the top of the pack? It won't work because the straps are so narrow and frail that they slip loose at the same time that the contents in your backpack settle. So the canister keeps falling off to the side. If you put the canister inside the pack it has to go vertically, which doesn't feel right against your back. And it puts a lot of strain on the seams. The most-frustrating thing about the Arc Haul is that those carbon rods that are supposed to make the arc for venting your back we're not designed properly. They're secured at the top, the bottom and the middle, and when you have the pack loaded to its maximum carry, instead of arcing the rods collapse into an S-shape and the pack sits flat against your back. The arcing rods are supposed to be the big, innovative advantage. How could Z-Packs screw it up and leave it screwed up for years for that kind of money? It's telling that most of the major-name RUclips personalities for backpacking that once highly recommend it no longer use the Arc Haul. I heard Dan Becker say it's his favorite pack, but he is the only one I've seen and give it acclaim in years. If Z-Packs had the carbon rods anchored at the top, the bottom and at two or three places in between, that collapse wouldn't happen. Z-Packs has known about the problem for years. I don't know if it's fixed it on the newer ones. I haven't heard anything about it being fixed. The last problem is that the load lifters need adjustment every ten or so miles because the straps are too narrow and thus slip for lack of sufficient friction. Those are a lot of flaws for the $425 I spent on the thing. There's a guy with a RUclips channel that I think is called ShastaBubba. He lives out West in the mountain states. He did a really good review on the Divide pack. That's why I bought it. The only flaw I found is that the frame height velcro adjusting strap has sharp corners at the end of that strap that curl up and rub against my back if I'm only wearing a thin shirt. It's not a major thing, and it's something I could fix by cutting and rounding the corners and then restitching the end of the strap. I sent Seek Outside an email to advise them on it. Maybe most people wouldn't even notice it. Another easy fix would be to throw some duct tape over the ends of the strap. Considering how many faults I've found in the various backpacks I've owned, that was the most minor annoyance of any of them. I doubt I will ever buy another pack. Or need to. Happy trails.
Thanks so much for the review! Good stuff to know when considering a pretty expensive pack like the Arc Haul. I will take a serious look at the Divide pack. Thanks again 👍
Another point that others may have mentioned, is that the cannister negates the need to bring ropes and pulleys to hang a bag, and hence, offsets the weight a bit more.
I started with a BearVault. Hated it, so hung my food for years and even used an Ursack. Never had any problems, but a lot of terrible hangs. Seems like all branches are too low or too high where I camp. Picked up 2 different sized ones for the Adirondacks High peaks. Ironically, while finishing the 46, I only camped out in the backcountry once where I needed it. For short single night trips since then and canoe camping, I am always bringing it. I often use it car camping too. Still hate the weight and space. Surprised that no one has figured out how to make one just as strong, but at half the weight.
I’ve carried a bear canister for decades in wilderness, and the biggest pain is fitting it in my pack. I’m just about to head off on a motocamping trip and just got an Ursack, the big one, and some odor-proof bags. Because I won’t be in wilderness areas, I think it will be allowed everywhere. I haven’t hung a bag from a tree in decades, not looking forward to that part, but definitely looking forward to not caring a big can on a motorcycle.
Thanks for sharing your experience! I had some terrible hangs, too. No problems but the bear population has increased considerably since then. The convenience of the canister is probably the biggest plus for me. In recent years we’ve had more visits from small critters including raccoons and mice. I like how the canister works well against them, too. Yeah, there has to be a way to make them less heavy. Wild Ideas Bearikade is probably the lightest option but I don’t like the bulky shape and sharp corners. For now I'll stick with my trusty UDAP No-Fed-Bear. It’s the perfect size for my lightweight packs and holds plenty for a long weekend. Stay safe out there!
I like the yellow canisters better so they don't get so hot in the sun. Electric fences work well too. I will often put one around my tent in dense Brown Bear country and another around my food or meat cache if I am hunting.
I've had many encounters with bears all fairly friendly and I don't have to leave home to have them. I've hiked thousands of trails and never had a bear in my campsite, maybe they don't like the dogs. I can confirm that bears are acrobats and move much faster and quieter than most can imagine. I've always just hollered at them and they've run off. I have however had a harrowing experience with deer mice, thousands of them. It was at an open faced shelter in the Great Gulf, gone now for many years. This was due to the large groups of hikers wanting to climb the vertical walls of the gulf but without heavy packs. They would come in the nearly flat approach from the auto road and camp intending to summit the following day. I came in down a ladderway called the Six Husbands Trail and stayed the night then climbed the headwall to Mt. Washington the next day with a 50 pound pack. Everyone said I was crazy to do that and in retrospect they were right. Anyhow, the mice attacked after dark and chewed their way into most everyone's pack and ate whatever food they could find. I woke up multiple times with mice on my sleeping bag and they chewed a hole into my pack as well. The forest service burned the shelter a short time after that.
Thanks for sharing your experiences! I have had the same observations about the agility and speed of bears. However, similar to your comments, I would have to say that my encounters have never felt threatening. The bears just wanted our food. However, they did come into camp. Maybe your theory about the dogs is correct because we didn't have one with us. Your mouse story is alarming! On my last trip I had just one chew a hole in my tent while I was in it. I can't imagine dealing with the numbers you’re talking about! That sounds like a plague of mice. The prevalence of smaller critters is probably one of the biggest reasons I carry a canister now. Especially when visiting popular campsites along high traffic trails.
I had a very poor half nights sleep in the climbing hut atop the John Muir snowfield on Mt. Rainier as mice scrabbled and chewed their way through everyone’s packs. Bear cans protect against a lot more pests than just bears.
I live in Montana where there is a healthy and growing Grizzly Bear population. They are now starting to appear in areas they haven't been seen in for almost 100 years. I personally would never leave my food on the ground like that in a bear canister so I hang my food in a water proof bag 50-100 yards away from my camp. In high elevation places it is hard to find good trees to hang food but I'd rather have a mouse or something get to my food (which has never happened despite many many subpar hangs at higher elevations) than have a Grizzly end up sticking around because they can at least easily get to the thing I'm keeping my food in.
I always carry a bear canister. I do not want to see the bears gone from the sierras. The canisters are bulky and heavy but it is worth it to save the bears and other animals in the wild. I place all of my trash and other items in the canisters as I eat the food inside. I always carry the canister inside my pack because it gets very hot in the sun cooking your food.
Thanks for sharing your experience! I’m always glad to hear from someone that cares about the welfare of bears. They are amazing creatures and it’s tragic when they lose their lives because of careless hikers and campers. 😢
Some days you get a line up over the branch on the first throw and some days it goes a bit worse. The craziest thing I ever saw was a guy who set up his tent directly under his hanging bear bag (like his tent was a ramp) and wouldn't do anything about it after he was warned about how bad an idea it was. I've given some thought to bear cannisters over the years, but I don't think I'd put non-food items in one while hiking because then those things would start smelling like food if those items are in your tent afterwards.
Funny story! Thanks for sharing! That’s a good reminder. Anything that comes in contact with food during a trip in bear country should not be kept in the tent. 👍
Why not use the pulley system to hang your food bag? You don't need much more than a pulley and two pieces of paracord; don't need a long branch (even a broken branch will do); much lighter and easier to pack than a canister; pulley makes it easy to lift up (no friction). I think the canister is a good option but not sure if its the best. Mostly because of weight and needing to try to fit things inside of it.
Thanks for the tip! Sounds like a great method! I also like the method that is almost as good as hanging between two trees where the bag gets hung from a diagonal line anchored to one tree. A carabiner is used as the hoist point and slides up the line as it is pulled up. 😎
I usually backpack in areas of the California Sierras where there are black bears, but not high numbers. I prefer to use a counter balance method. I think it works really well if you have the right tree. The branch is too light for the bear to go out on, but flexible enough to hold his weight near the tree. 10-12 feet high, but 10 feet from the trunk if possible. I found bear cans too heavy and on a long trip one isn’t even enough for one person.
I’ve backpacked in Yosemite many times and have had to use a canister. Never had a problem with a bear or seen one. Other than the weight I enjoy the food security and convenience.
Thanks for your comment! I would absolutely love to backpack in Yosemite. My wife and I visited once and we both agree it was even more breathtaking than The Grand Canyon 😃
I’m a bit of a newbie when it comes to bear canisters. Any reason why they are always “canisters”? It seems to me that a rectangular shape might be a better fit to insert into - or attach onto - a pack. Just curious.
Good question! I don’t know. I would guess that it has something to do with how a cylindrical object distributes a load. Maybe a rectangular object would be more likely to cave in 🤷🏼♂️
It's for strength. They need to withstand a bear stomping on them to "pop" the container, also a round shape eliminates places to grab/bite so they don't carry it off or rip it open.
In parts of Ontario, Canada, the bears have figured out that they don't need to climb a tree for hanging bags....they just chew the rope until it breaks!
Thanks for sharing that! I think we all need to know that a bear hang is only as good as the line that holds it in the air. When a bear figures that out, it doesn’t matter how awesome we are at hanging a bear bag.
I've been saying for years that all backpackers should be using bear canisters always, no excuses. The industry needs to adjust itself around the need for all backpackers to always use bear canisters, like making sure that the packs they make and the canisters they make are compatible. I live in the Green Mountain National Forest region, and it is a fairly common sight to see black bears ambling through populated areas. I use a BearVault BV500, and the only time I don't carry it is when I am on a strictly local day trip, where it is unlikely that even adverse events would end up with me having to spent a night out unexpectedly, but there is an area of the Adirondacks not too far from my location where the BearVault products are prohibited, because bears in that area have learned to open them, impossible as it may seem. I'm in the market for a new pack that will fit the BV500 inside, horizontally, since my current pack does not do so.
Really, anyone who is interested in getting into backpacking or camping, and even veterans who don't yet own a bear canister, just go ahead and buy a bear canister that is approved for the areas you plan to visit before you buy anything else. Anything else. Get the canister first, then get the smallest pack that actually fits it and you comfortably. Make everything else revolve around that.
bears not only associate hanging bags with food, they also associate those big white square things in kitchens with holding food...speaking from experience in my cottage country...
Why is it that all these section hikers feel the need to tell people not to use bear bags. I hiked the Pinhoti TrIl and the Appalachian Trail with a Zpack’s bear bag. At one camp outside of Parishburg, I was face to face with two black bears. One of them was huge. I just moved on to a camp with other hikers in it. I can tell by the gear on their backs they are beginners. By the time I reached Katahden my pack wasn’t much more than a day pack.
Thanks for your feedback! In my defense, I’m just sharing MY reasons for using bear canisters. If others share the same reasoning, great. If not, that’s fine, too. I also don’t say that hanging bear bags is bad. That entirely depends on if it’s done right. For me, I personally prefer canisters for the reasons stated in the video.
If I were going into a wilderness area, I believe a bear canister would be the way to go. I canoe and backpack into Yellowstone NP and there, with designated campsites, a bear pole or bear box is in every campsite. The most common bear we would most likely see is a Grizzly bear. They do not climb trees, so anything up the bear pole is probably safe. Plus you are required to use the bear pole or bear box. Canisters, left on the ground, would not be permitted. I am not sure those bear canisters are Grizzly proof.
Agree, those canisters are NOT Grizzly proof. And as you said where I backpack or canoe in Yellowstone, you are required to hang your food or use the bear box. last summer on a canoe trip on Yellowstone Lake I was surprised to see how many bear boxes there were in camp sites.
I hear ya. That’s a good reminder. I always get worried that I left some crumbs in there from one of my snacks. I’m thinking I might need to use odor-proof bags in my hip pockets so they don’t attract any attention during the night 😳
All well and good, but how are you supposed to fit enough food for the trip into a container of that size? I've been liking an electric fence for quite a while now.
Thanks for sharing those points! Wild Ideas makes a pretty large canister for up to 12 days of food. Would require a larger pack, though. I’ve been hearing more about electric fences. Seems like they are gaining popularity 👍
@@jfowler Standard electric fence chargers used for livestock are marketed as how much fence distance they'll cover. That figure is a derivative of an energy rating in joules which is a unit like the kw hours you pay for your electricity bill only much smaller. Vehicle ignition coils are also rated in joules and are usually around 50 millijoules (mj). If you ever got stung by one you'd have an idea of what 50 mj (0.05 joules) feels like. That's about where small agricultural fence chargers start. Last I knew chargers.for bears were recommended to be a minimum of 700 mj (0.7 joules). I suppose it's because of the thick fur. For farms there's often a place to plug a charger in for AC power to run the unit. You'll therefore be using one that runs on a battery of some sort, either internal to the charger or external. I don't know how much battery capacity is needed for use over time. The manufacturers or the web would offer guidance on that. Tractor Supply is one dealer of chargers. I go there often for nuts and bolts (far cheaper there than anywhere else) and I usually browse given that my sometimes farmer dad instilled the interest in me. That's how I discovered the fencing supplies there. Even if you buy somewhere else at least you get to see them there. Yes, it's all bulk and weight but that might be compared to or a substitute for the cans.
Bear canisters are also good at preventing raccoons from helping themselves. Raccoons just shimmy down a rope and access a bag unless it has a baffle. So, even where there are no bears a bear canister is a good thing.
We don't have bears in the UK, just badgers.... I went to Yosemite in 2004 and had to hire a canister, no problem. We were told that bears get into bags, and if bears learn that bags contain food that means they come to camps more. EVERYONE should be using canisters - so that bears don't EVER get access to food.
I also almost always carry a bear can. However, when I hiked a 100 mile section of the PCT from Old Station to Castle Crags, every single thru-hiker I met slept with their food in their tent! Since so many people seemed to be doing that, and surviving, I sent my bear can home.
Yeah, some areas seem to be hot spots while other areas rarely report encounters. Personally, I would be inclined to keep my food away from my sleeping area, though. If a bear wandered through, maybe it would be more curious about a tent with food rather than mine 😜
I don't know why, but almost all the bear camping tips and tricks are related to Black Bears even tho US has plenty of Brown Bears... us europeans would love to know about Brown Bears.
Sorry that I don’t have any experience with Ursus arctos; AKA brown bear, grizzly and the subspecies Kodiak Bear. My dad could tell some stories, though. He frequently traveled to Alaska to camp in the Arctic. In fact, a grizzly squashed his tent on the last night of one of his trips. He brought a bear canister and was required to carry a firearm.
Cliff Jacobson has done canoeing across extensive parts of the USA, within the territories of both black bears and brown bears (grizzly). I heard him say at one of his presentations that black bears are far more intelligent than most people can imagine, but that brown bears seem to be rather dumb. I suppose that means that anything that will keep your food away from a black bear will work for brown bears too.
It isn't really fair to compare canisters to a bad bear bag hang. I tend to be skeptical of straw man arguments, so that decreases your credibility. Bear bag hangs are supposed to be between two trees. It decreases the association between the cord anchor location(s) and the bear bag. They also make metal mesh bear bags that originated from car air bags. A good bear bag deployment should at least be the comparison to start from. Yes, finding a good, tall pair of trees for a two tree hang can be difficult. I often camp in areas with very few trees, which makes it even harder. Yes, metal mesh bear bags are expensive. Are they lighter? Are they strong/secure enough? But those issues should go up in the pros and cons, not dishonestly excluded entirely.
exactly why I will carry my bear can... if I can't leave it at a base camp locked in the car, My can will be on the top of my pack, it has a bag and if I have to I can throw it at the bear and it can still be retrieved later on.
Thanks for sharing your experience! Yeah, they can be a challenge, and require a little creative packing. I experienced this with my larger canister while trying to get it to fit in my ULA Circuit Ultra pack. When it was inside it pressed on the center of my back and this was pretty uncomfortable. When I strapped it to the top with the special Y strap accessory, it was top-heavy and unstable. In fact, when removing the pack from my back it slipped out entirely crashing to the floor. Even so, I bring a bear canister on every trip since I am pretty much always in bear country. But I’ve learned which packs work with which canisters and plan accordingly.
It’s also a good idea if you’re an iPhone user to toss an AirTag inside your bear can. If you forget exactly where you put it or if a bear moves it, it could be the difference between losing your food or not.
Good video. Pretty much agree with all you wrote. I've used the Ursack Almighty without any issues, but not in a heavy bear area or where canisters are required (for good reason). I think of the Ursack as a "critter" bag, because hike after hike, camp after camp, it's really squirrels, ravens, field mice, and chipmunks get into everything, even with you sitting there. Yes, eventually a big bear can chew through an Ursack, at least easier than in a canister. But in places like the Cascades, the desert, coastal areas, where bears are not common, they work great. 1. Keep your bear canister/bag clean. Don't get greasy, smelly hands or drizzle from something like a Honey Stinger wrapper on them. Critters (and bears) will smell this from a long way away. 2. Always use an odor bag, or a doubled up gallon freezer bag to put your old food wrappers in. 3. The first day out on your backpack is "free", in that you don't need to store your food in it, as you're going to eat it before sunset. 4. In an area known for bear activity, even if the bears are known to be non-threatening, do not leave your camp abandoned more than 50 feet, even if your food is 200' away in a canister. Bears are curious, and if you are not around, they might just rip into your tent, tear open your $400 down sleeping bag, poke holes in your sleeping pad, etc. to see what's in there.
Thanks so much for the tips! A few practical measures can make all the difference. Odor proof bags have been a recurring suggestion and they make a lot of sense. Not leaving camp unguarded is important, too. Within seconds a bear can wipe out $1,000 worth of gear 😱
A bear found my friend's Ursac. No, the bear didn't get in it, but everything inside was crushed and mixed beyond usability. So, I suppose it served its primary purpose of not teaching the bear that its efforts would be successful, but it didn't preserve the contents. Luckily, it was the last day of the trip.
"The first day out on your backpack is "free", in that you don't need to store your food in it, " But you will need to store your stove, utensils and food trash in it.
I’m so glad to see this post. Bear canisters are definitely a nuisance to carry and maybe not totally foolproof, but I think they are the best alternative to help a bear avoid becoming a “nuisance” that is then hunted and killed as a result of inexperienced or careless campers and hikers with ultralight tunnel vision.
Such a well thought video Jeff. I've come to a lot of the same conclusions. Even whatever space they take up besides being offset by the fact that they can be used for storage is that the only space lost is the actual thickness of the can itself, not the cubic air space in them, so really, it isn't that much space that's lost. Another plus is that they're great of packing sensitive items that might be prone to being crushed and work as a hard case and for keeping hygiene products like toothpaste that attract wildlife.
Thanks, I really appreciate it! Great tips! I totally agree. At first, the canister was the big unwieldy object I had to wrestle with. Now, i don’t give it a second thought. Everything just fits 😎
Some black bears in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park have figured out how to open some bear canisters, and it is thought that they are teaching one another. No kidding. The park now requires _all_ food and smellies to be hung, even if it is in a cannister. Per the official website: "Bear canisters are not required nor recommended in the backcountry. If you choose to carry a bear canister, it must be placed in your pack and hung in the cable system to comply with the park requirement." My cannister specifically states to _not_ hang it, as it may not take the shock of a drop. They say it's designed to be clawed and bitten, but not dropped. What to do, what to do.
Good to know! I’m constantly amazed by bears. There’s a famous bear in the Adirondacks that figured out how to open BearVault canisters. Personally, I have a UDAP No-Fed-Bear canister and Backpackers Cache. Been good so far, but who knows? Regarding Great Smoky Mountain, thankfully they set up cables for a secure hang. It’s difficult to get it right when utilizing trees. Thanks for sharing the info 😄
Promoting a product without turning your video into an advertisement for a specific manufacturer. The wellbeing of the wildlife and your fellow hikers seems to be your motivation. Well done, Sir!
Thanks so much! It sounds like you are concerned about the safety of fellow hikers and wildlife as well. I really appreciate it when people like yourself are responsible and conscientious when enjoying the outdoors. Stay safe out there ☺️
@jbro151 I have two. The first is a UDAP No-Fed-Bear canister. It’s my lightest and smallest and fits in my 48L pack. I can comfortably pack food for a 3 night trip. The second is a Garcia Backpackers Cache which is a little larger and heavier. It requires a little larger pack. I’ll bring that one on trips where I’m not covering as many miles and want to have a few extra treats.
I use a bear canister, plus you can get different sizes for different trips. I do hang my cooking utensils, pharmaceuticals, sun block ect. I love the reflective tape suggestion.
As a Californian, we have to live with the reality of bear canisters. I'm glad that Desolation Wilderness in Tahoe finally went with the requirement last year. Those pine trees have thin branches that point downwards and you're not going to get a proper hang. Ursaks need to be defended; otherwise bears there had learned to just keep picking at the same spot in the bag. They eventually tear open and food gotten into.
Thanks for sharing your experience! Unfortunately, I hear more and more about Ursaks getting torn open. I’ve also read about a bear in New York State that has learned how to open Bear Vaults.
@@jfowler I eventually went w/ a Bearikade Blazer. It was one of my last big upgrades... slightly more volume than a BV500 and ~$35/ounce for the difference. I usually stick it a bush overnight. So when you hear metallic tapping at night, you know that a bear is checking it out =)
@@jfowler , Yeah, it's a female bear and she's been teaching the other bears how to do it. I have to respect that bear. After a long day on a winter's hike, I sometimes struggle to open the lid with my freezing fingers on the Bear Vault. So that bear is smarter than I am. The other thing that some bears have learned to do is to roll the canister off a cliff to break it open. So you're really have to do a good job of anchoring or wedging it into something, like the crotch of a tree or a rock pile.
@@jfowler they can't open a bear vault while I'm running at them like crazy person with a stick. chasem like youre gonna eatem. They bluff charge as well.
Camping in the boundary waters of Minnesota, I've always hung a kevlar bear bag, suspended between 2 trees. I'd say anything is better than nothing, but a bear canister would be a good idea as well, as it can float if it ever falls into a body of water; whereas a bear bag probably won't.
It sounds to me that you hang your bag the right way. That takes some skill! The bear canisters that I have are not watertight, so water will get in if submerged. However, I think it would float if there are some sealed backpacking meals or Ziploc bags inside. Thanks for the feedback! 😎
The canister is definitely simpler and quicker. Less prone to user error too; many bear bags aren't hung "properly" so the bear can't reach (like the friend in the video)
I use a Bearikade which reduces the weight quite a bit. They are expensive but worth it if you're an ounce counter. They also have rental canisters which I did try first before purchasing. It was very easy. Happy hiking.
Thanks for your comments. We rented a couple of those, too. I love how light they are but I wish they would design one with a narrower diameter. That would make them compatible with a lot more packs.
Remember also that as you consume the contents from your canister you can utilise the empty space to pack any waste (packaging, leftover bits of food, even soiled paper towel or such if used during clean up etc) into the bottom, just keep a strong sealable poly bag to prevent any contamination or smell from the waste in your canister. Not only keeps your site clean during & after your stay but less possibility of smells attracting wildlife.
Thanks for the tips! That’s an important reminder that i wish I mentioned in the video. Anything other than food that goes in the canister needs to be protected from the food odors. 👍
I’m glad you found it helpful! Welcome to the trail! I mostly backpack in the Southeast United States which has a growing population of black bears. So, bear canisters are a necessity for me. I’m sure there are other areas of the country where there is less risk of bear encounters. Personally, I like the peace of mind of having one along. 😄
I live a few hours from the AT in New England and the bears have learned how to take down hanging bear bags and slash through Ursaks. There are plenty of bear boxes, but they are sometimes full. And I had an habitual through-hiker named "Jazzman" steal food from my canister where it was stashed in a bear box in Massachusetts...after he took a 30-minute dump in the privy at midnight. He is one of the infamous, chronically-homeless backpackers constantly hiking trails and stealing from other hikers. He even stole one of my dirty Darn Tough socks before he bolted from that shelter early that morning. Not both socks. Just one. And yeah, he was a privy door slammer. Now I won't use a bear box if other hikers are at the site. I have heard of food theft from other hikers.
Thank you. Straight forward and to the point. I am hoping that some brainiac comes up with a canister solution that is lighter and collapses when food/trash/smellables volume decreases.
I’m so glad you enjoyed it! Yes, a more packable and lighter solution would be great. It would definitely take some brains! Bears are so crazy powerful and determined.
I've always used Ursacs for hiking in Michigan and the AT. The only animal that got into it was a red squirrel. I suspect bears just never happened upon the bag in all these trips. This video definitely makes me consider buying a bear cannister for future trips. Thanks.
Absolutely! I don’t have any personal experience to share regarding Ursak, but I have heard about bears getting in them. Might be worth considering the alternatives.
Lots of pics of damaged ursacks online. When they don’t get into them the bear will smash and destroy the contents making them unusable… plastic packaging and food contents turned into its own special granola. Bear doesn’t get the treat, but neither do you so your trip can be ended. I’m in Colorado and see people posting about it every summer, especially on the CT. I’ll use one where bears aren’t expected but are possible but usually I carry a bearikade.
My uncle and cousin and my dad and I were on the first day of a multiday canoe trip in the boundary waters in 1976. We hung our food in a bag. Right after my cousin and I had gotten in the tent a black bear came into camp. Nothing we did scared the bear, banging pans, shouting, etc. The bear started climbing trees until it found the one with the bag. It climbed above the branch and tried to break off the limb with its foot. When that failed it started to come back down. At that time, we decided that maybe we should retreat to the lake in our canoes. We stayed out in the lake for about 45 minutes until we heard the next campsite down the lake barking and making noise. When we got back into camp, we found that the bear had chewed the branch in half and ate all of our food. Lucky for us it was the first night of the trip, so we just paddled out in the morning, and we did not have to go hungry of several days. It did cut the trip short by 3 days. I can also answer the question do bears shit in the woods. The answer is no, they shit in the middle of your campsite.
Wow, that’s quite an experience! Amazing how bold, determined and smart that bear was. So, sorry to hear that trip was cut short. Glad everyone stayed safe and have a story to tell, though 😄
From what I have read it depends on which canister you use. A while back I was reading that in some parks the bears have actually opened up canisters. Not sure which brand of canister but one of them. Probably a better bet to check with the park your interested in and see if they have banned certain canisters. The other problem could be the use of designated campsites , the Bears know the food will be there or in that area when people are around.
Thanks for mentioning it! I think you’re right. There are published lists of which bear canisters are approved. Definitely a good idea to be familiar with which ones are allowed.
That would be the BearVault canister that a few bears have managed to open. If I remember correctly, the BearVault canisters are no longer allowed in the Adirondacks. Definitely check the list of approved bear canisters before you go someplace.
Don't tempt fate. Keep your contact down with bears. Don't leave a canister vulnerable if you can. Take all precaution. There's plenty of other wild life.
My tip is that not all bear canisters are created equal. The clear blue BearVault cans have been banned in the ADK region because they have been defeated by some bears there. You need to use the more resistant Garcia Backpackers Cache.
Thanks for the tip! I’ve seen a picture of one of those torn open BearVault canisters. Personally, I have a Udap No-Fed-Bear and a Backpacker’s Cache. For my three day trips the Udap is the best size. Stay safe!
I took one of those Bearvault blue cans to Alaska, Wrangell St Elias, a few years ago and it got crushed and ripped open at the lid. We didn't see or hear anything. It was my first time using one and we were on the tundra for the first part of the trip so that was kind of our only option anyway. We had to satellite call for a food drop as we were in the middle of a 21 day hike.
Great PSA, I'm sure this will help quite a few new backpackers. Especially in a world where most videos are focused on the gram counting you mentioned. I know we always follow the triangle rule as well. Where you make a triangle between your campsite (upwind), your bathroom area, and your bear box/cooking area. Really helps reducing the risk of them coming through your camp to knock around a canister they can't get into.
Thank so much! I’m glad you enjoyed it. That’s an excellent rule to follow. I am going to have to commit that to memory and apply it on the next trip. Stay safe! 😊
I went backpacking in Yosemite 20 years ago and we had bear canisters there. You had to. Literally and lawfully i think. Don't be a lame and get a canister plz. You can rent them even.
I've never had a bear get at a bag hung from a tree but I have had rodents climb down the paracord and gnaw through the bag and get at the food inside. Chipmunks will get it every time.
Lately that’s become my biggest concern. Especially with popular campsites and shelters along the Appalachian Trail. Rodents can definitely make protecting food and gear a difficult challenge 😖
Most people have trouble getting that rock bag over a high branch. I carry a hiking stick that is 45 inches long which I use as a catapult (also called Staff Sling), gives me more power and directional control to toss that rock bag right where I want it. I tie a loop on bear line that just fits over my hiking stick/catapult, 8 inches down the line is rock bag, then rest of line. Swing the catapult and stop the swing just before stick is straight up, rock bag flings off and makes it over high branch. May take a couple times to learn how to do it but once learned it is far easier.
Nice! Thanks for the tip. That’s the challenging part, getting the line where you want it. Especially when bridging your hang between two trees. Thanks for sharing!
I started using a bear canister this year and while the weight and volume is a bit of a pain, as I try to go as light as possible, I have gotten tired of trying to do a good hang for the reasons you point out. One other thing I do is to put the food in an odour free bag and then find a low point in the landscape away from camp and so far no problem.
I have backpacked the Alaskan backcountry a lot--from the Kenai Peninsula to the Brooks Range (not from one to the other) Rule #1 You don't eat where you sleep. I typically eat my main meal in an open spot, out of the wind around 3-3:30, clean up and continue on for another hour before making camp. I've had lots of encounters with bears, a few were memorable and one was on the verge of becoming pretty sporty, but not a single one involved a bear messing with my food. On the trail I eat freeze dried meals--boil water, rehydrate, eat. I take the packaging and burn it at the first opportunity, usually every other day. And then I pack out the remnant bits of aluminum.
Thanks Jeff, I appreciate the video. I know the day is coming when the ATC demands that food is stored in a bear canister. This will make me sad for sure as they are indeed heavy. For overnight and some 3 day 2 night hikes I can get away with using the 425 BV which I believe is the smallest size they offer. Maybe the time to start getting used to these is now. They are also much easier to stash for the night a bear bag in a tree can take some time especially when you are tired. Thanks for sharing the video and stay safe!
Thanks, I’m so glad you enjoyed it! You might be right. As the bear population increases and they become more comfortable around people, it seems there is more potential for dangerous encounters. Stay safe out there! 😊
Curious, how can a two-tree hang be vulnerable to bears/other animals? When you suspend between two trees, it’s much easier to achieve good height and spacing, compared to a one-tree hang.
Thanks for your feedback. I prefer that method, too. Hanging a bag from a single limb seems much more vulnerable. I’m not saying that hanging a bear bag doesn’t work. However, it has to be done right and my observation is that most people don’t know how or don’t care. Personally, I would rather take 2 minutes walking my canister away from camp than 30 minutes or more engineering a hang done right. Not that this is typical, but one of my buddies spent over an hour working on hanging his bag. At the end of a long day on the trail, I just don’t have the patience 😄
I didn't know there was such a thing as a bear canister. I'm definitely going to get a couple as I sometimes go bicycle touring through bear country. Thanks for your great info.
I can see that as a definitely possibility. Who knows, hoisting food high in the air might increase the effect. I don’t know. It seems that some bears have learned to look for hanging bags. I know that was the case with our first encounter.
Welcome to the "most unpopular guy on RUclips" club. People freak about bear cans because they want the space to bring more crap they can't live without. I carry a 42 liter (30 liter bag) pack that measures 11w x 5"D and is frameless. I take a large 2 person tent, sleeping pad, 2 sit pads (1 is gg 1/8" roll) a 10 degree quilt, 2 fleece jackets and a windbreaker rain gear a cook kit...I take it all plus a BV400 or BV500 every time inside. Everything fits with plenty of room to spare. I just packed it yesterday...it'll be 20 to 23 lbs with 5 days food and a liter of water. I say this because I'm proud of it. It took me a decade to get there but the excuses for no bear cans are silly to me. Its always full. As the food goes down the trash goes up, eventually my cook kit will fit in and make packing easier. Its infinitely more convenient. Its a chair, a table, a washing machine, a broch or a pterodactyl (you have to be old) Love my bear can and now theres tweener sizes from bear vault. the rangers say "chase a bear like you're gonna eat it" words to live by. keep the food away from your camp and way away from you.
I think we would get along great on the trail! 23 lbs for a 5 day trip is awesome! I carry camera gear so I am really happy with anything less than 25. Thanks for sharing!
It is a matter of attitude. An aggressive predator will often scare off another predator that isn’t willing to risk a fight. This does NOT always work.
GREAT video! After 15 yrs of backpacking experience in the back country, I have come to all the same conclusions you present here. Interesting how little help retailers like REI and mfr’s of backpacks offer on the subject. I use a BV500 now when bear protection is called for, I think the real benefit is the protection from small critters, who are MUCH more likely to eat and run at your expense!! Thanks for the video, I was happy to hit the subscribe button!
Thanks so much! I’m really glad you enjoyed it. Yeah, I think you hit the nail on the head. The smaller critters can definitely be problem. Especially in frequently used campsites where they come to expect and rely on campers as their primary food source.
Thanks for your question! They actually don’t come out. You give them a 1/4 turn to open the canister and they stay attached to the lid. I keep a 3/8" flat washer attached to my pack which is the perfect size to turn the screws.
Jeff, thanks for the informative video. As a solo female hiker, your bear hang experiences give me a different perspective on food storage in the backcountry. I used to think that as long as I hung my food, the bears wouldn't get it. I think that is generally the case where I've hiked in Central Canada, Mexico and Belize. However, I'm hiking in Montana this summer and will consider picking a bear canister up after watching this video. Also subscribing to your channel. ✅️
Thanks so much! Of course, where you hike is a big factor to consider. Bears are simply not a problem in some parts of the world. However, here in the Southeast United States, a bear encounter is always a possibility. Honestly, the only reason I got a bear canister at first was because it was a requirement for the area where I was backpacking. Then I was hooked by the convenience and reliability of using one. Thanks for sharing your comments. Stay safe out there! 😄🥾
@jfowler nope! Just a woodsman. It's stupid to go into bear country unarmed. Period! Carry a shockwave, with 00 buck on the side of my backpack and a 45 on my hip. If a bear gets me it will have earned it!
Odor Proof Bag. O.P. Sack. I’ll say it again. Odor proof bag. O.P. Sak. I never had a problem. The ONE time I didn’t use one, the bear found the bear can and knocked it around. My friend brought VERY AROMATIC pipe tobacco and salted meats 🤦♂️
Great tips! Yeah, I agree. Been using “odor-proof” bags on my last few trips. I think they probably reduce the odors but maybe not eliminate them completely. I still think they are a great idea. 👍
I have come to the same conclusion that you have; always use a bear can. Your video does a great job of explaining why. Also, spot on with the pro's and con's.
Let's not forget that ANYTHING that has a scent should go in the bear can as well!! Tooth paste, Deo, scented soaps or lotions etc. Bears will go after those as well.
Absolutely! Important reminder. Thanks for sharing 👍
Everything has scent 😊
Also just don't bring scented deodorant, soap, or lotion into the backcountry
Who would take deodorant camping with them? Hahahahahahaha!
@@elderlord5164 .. You would be surprised ,, also colognes and perfumes ..
We tested the first bear canisters in Yosemite in 1979. I did my backpacking before they were available, but avoided heavily-used areas and rarely had bear problems.
Thanks for sharing your experience! Glad that you have avoided bear problems 👍
All through Boundary Waters and up into Ontario canoeing....Never had a bear problem. Always sleep under a large tarp, never in a tent, and always keep my food and gear close to me under the tarp. Most people really should just stay home where they feel safe!
@@johnswanson3741Thanks for sharing your experience. I’m going to BWCA in September for the fist time. Good to hear you didn’t have bear problems
I grew up camping in Yosemite Valley with my parents and siblings. At that time they still had the dump where trash from dumpsters was unloaded. We used to call it the "bear pit" because people used to drive up and park their cars to watch the bears rummage through the garbage! This was long before they had bear boxes and it was common, believe it or not, to keep your food in the tent or car! Only once did a bear get into the tent of my aunt and uncle who were camping at the site next to ours. My uncle threw a box at the bear and it ran off. I can't believe it used to be like that in Yosemite!
Good idea about the reflective tape, I like that one. Bears are taught by their mothers people mean food, meaning we have food almost always. Once a bear is "trained" like this it is not likely going to stop the hunt for easy food. Bears that you can scare away from just your voice are most likely not used to humans, like the one you encountered returned multiple times is highly likely could attack if hungry enough. I spent years as a guide trying to keep people calm in bear country because there is some predictable habits but once they eat human food it is much more unpredictable. Be safe out there.
Thanks for sharing your insights! Seems like you’re right. We now have generations of bears that have learned to seek out people food 😮
I appreciate your views & reasons for bear canister use. As you said their a useful deterrent for all animals looking for a snack. Once you get use to them it just becomes part of your kit & routine. Thanks for sharing! Especially your bear experiences. Makes me feel all the better about canister use.
Thanks so much! That’s what I’ve found, too. I don’t give it a second thought when packing. The canister always fits and I think the benefits far outweigh the drawbacks. Stay safe!
Black bear intelligence and retrieving food hangs is the main reason many NFS areas require a canister now. The Bear Vault is much better than Garcia Machine rented by the park service. I met some folks on trail in the Sierras and a guy told me how a black bear approached during lunch break and grabbed a pack. I've had to camp across three states in grizzly country with food hanging and it makes for light sleeping even with bear spray. So many people in certain areas today, I carry bear spray even in black bear areas because they are too accustomed to hikers.
I know, they are so smart! Thanks for sharing your experiences. Sharing the outdoors with these amazing animals is unavoidable making it so important to be educated and prepared.
In my many years in the back country, mostly in canoe areas we tried to cook a hot meal late in the afternoon long way from our intended camp spot. I have never had to use a bear canister but They seems to be much better solution that hanging your food. Smart bears soon learn to shake the rope tied to the trunk of the tree. Over the years I have found Ravins and racons a bigger problem and a lot smarter than bears. My worst problem are bears that come into camp and acted like the family dog and just hung around. When that happens, that tells me people have been hand feeding the bears and it is time to get the Hell out of the area.
Thanks for sharing your experiences! I totally agree! Being joined by a bear in camp, that would probably be a good time to leave!
I don't know who wins that battle - you just mentioned the 3 smartest pests in the world.
I have had mama bears send babies up the tree to bite the rope. Hanging never works against determined bears. Treeline environments in the Sierras also lack large trees, and bears will go there to get camper food.
Regular in the BWCA. We always double bag our food in airtight bags packed into our bear bag. We hang every time and have never had a problem in 20+ years. We also avoid the heavily used routes which probably helps.
Thanks for sharing your experience! Sounds like your methods are working well 👍
Nice video. I've used a bear vault the past few years with success. As a fish/game officer I've been in many camps where the bear got the goodies from the bag that was hung in the tree.
Thanks so much for sharing your comments! We can all benefit from your years of experience 👍
Thanks for the tips.
I can't believe I never thought of putting reflective tape on my Bear Vault.
Here are my two tips:
1) Use light, weak stretch cordage or thread to tie a bear bell around the canister to alert you to the presence of a bear messing with it. It must be weak enough to break, lest a bear use it as a carry handle.
2) I recommend the Seek Outside Divide 79L backpack. It fits the largest Bear Vault inside, horizontally, yet it is ultralight. It also has many other features. The strap buckles are clever and handy.
It is only slightly heavier than my Z-Packs Arc Haul, but it is more comfortable and it is rated to carry up to 200 lbs.! It carries 45 lbs. better than the Arc Haul carries 35 lbs.
It is awesome for winter hikes because of its volume, too.
The construction is so rugged that I suspect it could manage the Triple Crown and still have miles of hiking left in it.
Thanks so much for the tips! I will have to check out that pack. I have been considering the Arc Haul 60L, but it sounds like it is too compact for most bear canisters.
@@jfowler
I would not buy the Arc haul again. It squeaks. It squeaks and it squeaks and it squeaks.
The V-strap Z-Packs offers that's supposed to be able to mount a canister to the top of the pack? It won't work because the straps are so narrow and frail that they slip loose at the same time that the contents in your backpack settle. So the canister keeps falling off to the side.
If you put the canister inside the pack it has to go vertically, which doesn't feel right against your back. And it puts a lot of strain on the seams.
The most-frustrating thing about the Arc Haul is that those carbon rods that are supposed to make the arc for venting your back we're not designed properly. They're secured at the top, the bottom and the middle, and when you have the pack loaded to its maximum carry, instead of arcing the rods collapse into an S-shape and the pack sits flat against your back. The arcing rods are supposed to be the big, innovative advantage. How could Z-Packs screw it up and leave it screwed up for years for that kind of money?
It's telling that most of the major-name RUclips personalities for backpacking that once highly recommend it no longer use the Arc Haul. I heard Dan Becker say it's his favorite pack, but he is the only one I've seen and give it acclaim in years.
If Z-Packs had the carbon rods anchored at the top, the bottom and at two or three places in between, that collapse wouldn't happen.
Z-Packs has known about the problem for years. I don't know if it's fixed it on the newer ones. I haven't heard anything about it being fixed.
The last problem is that the load lifters need adjustment every ten or so miles because the straps are too narrow and thus slip for lack of sufficient friction.
Those are a lot of flaws for the $425 I spent on the thing.
There's a guy with a RUclips channel that I think is called ShastaBubba. He lives out West in the mountain states. He did a really good review on the Divide pack. That's why I bought it.
The only flaw I found is that the frame height velcro adjusting strap has sharp corners at the end of that strap that curl up and rub against my back if I'm only wearing a thin shirt. It's not a major thing, and it's something I could fix by cutting and rounding the corners and then restitching the end of the strap. I sent Seek Outside an email to advise them on it. Maybe most people wouldn't even notice it. Another easy fix would be to throw some duct tape over the ends of the strap.
Considering how many faults I've found in the various backpacks I've owned, that was the most minor annoyance of any of them. I doubt I will ever buy another pack. Or need to.
Happy trails.
Thanks so much for the review! Good stuff to know when considering a pretty expensive pack like the Arc Haul. I will take a serious look at the Divide pack. Thanks again 👍
I always sprinkle cayenne powder on my food container. A snoot of that and most critters leave it alone.
My buddy brings a bottle of cayenne along, too 🌶️
Another point that others may have mentioned, is that the cannister negates the need to bring ropes and pulleys to hang a bag, and hence, offsets the weight a bit more.
I started with a BearVault. Hated it, so hung my food for years and even used an Ursack. Never had any problems, but a lot of terrible hangs. Seems like all branches are too low or too high where I camp. Picked up 2 different sized ones for the Adirondacks High peaks. Ironically, while finishing the 46, I only camped out in the backcountry once where I needed it. For short single night trips since then and canoe camping, I am always bringing it. I often use it car camping too. Still hate the weight and space. Surprised that no one has figured out how to make one just as strong, but at half the weight.
I’ve carried a bear canister for decades in wilderness, and the biggest pain is fitting it in my pack.
I’m just about to head off on a motocamping trip and just got an Ursack, the big one, and some odor-proof bags. Because I won’t be in wilderness areas, I think it will be allowed everywhere.
I haven’t hung a bag from a tree in decades, not looking forward to that part, but definitely looking forward to not caring a big can on a motorcycle.
Thanks for sharing your experience! I had some terrible hangs, too. No problems but the bear population has increased considerably since then. The convenience of the canister is probably the biggest plus for me. In recent years we’ve had more visits from small critters including raccoons and mice. I like how the canister works well against them, too. Yeah, there has to be a way to make them less heavy. Wild Ideas Bearikade is probably the lightest option but I don’t like the bulky shape and sharp corners. For now I'll stick with my trusty UDAP No-Fed-Bear. It’s the perfect size for my lightweight packs and holds plenty for a long weekend. Stay safe out there!
I like the yellow canisters better so they don't get so hot in the sun. Electric fences work well too. I will often put one around my tent in dense Brown Bear country and another around my food or meat cache if I am hunting.
Great points! Thanks for sharing your experience 😃
I've had many encounters with bears all fairly friendly and I don't have to leave home to have them. I've hiked thousands of trails and never had a bear in my campsite, maybe they don't like the dogs. I can confirm that bears are acrobats and move much faster and quieter than most can imagine. I've always just hollered at them and they've run off. I have however had a harrowing experience with deer mice, thousands of them. It was at an open faced shelter in the Great Gulf, gone now for many years. This was due to the large groups of hikers wanting to climb the vertical walls of the gulf but without heavy packs. They would come in the nearly flat approach from the auto road and camp intending to summit the following day. I came in down a ladderway called the Six Husbands Trail and stayed the night then climbed the headwall to Mt. Washington the next day with a 50 pound pack. Everyone said I was crazy to do that and in retrospect they were right. Anyhow, the mice attacked after dark and chewed their way into most everyone's pack and ate whatever food they could find. I woke up multiple times with mice on my sleeping bag and they chewed a hole into my pack as well. The forest service burned the shelter a short time after that.
Thanks for sharing your experiences! I have had the same observations about the agility and speed of bears. However, similar to your comments, I would have to say that my encounters have never felt threatening. The bears just wanted our food. However, they did come into camp. Maybe your theory about the dogs is correct because we didn't have one with us. Your mouse story is alarming! On my last trip I had just one chew a hole in my tent while I was in it. I can't imagine dealing with the numbers you’re talking about! That sounds like a plague of mice. The prevalence of smaller critters is probably one of the biggest reasons I carry a canister now. Especially when visiting popular campsites along high traffic trails.
I had a very poor half nights sleep in the climbing hut atop the John Muir snowfield on Mt. Rainier as mice scrabbled and chewed their way through everyone’s packs. Bear cans protect against a lot more pests than just bears.
I live in Montana where there is a healthy and growing Grizzly Bear population. They are now starting to appear in areas they haven't been seen in for almost 100 years. I personally would never leave my food on the ground like that in a bear canister so I hang my food in a water proof bag 50-100 yards away from my camp. In high elevation places it is hard to find good trees to hang food but I'd rather have a mouse or something get to my food (which has never happened despite many many subpar hangs at higher elevations) than have a Grizzly end up sticking around because they can at least easily get to the thing I'm keeping my food in.
Thanks for sharing your experiences!
Nice. Thanks. Good advice.
Glad it was helpful! Thanks for the feedback 👍
I always carry a bear canister. I do not want to see the bears gone from the sierras. The canisters are bulky and heavy but it is worth it to save the bears and other animals in the wild. I place all of my trash and other items in the canisters as I eat the food inside. I always carry the canister inside my pack because it gets very hot in the sun cooking your food.
Thanks for sharing your experience! I’m always glad to hear from someone that cares about the welfare of bears. They are amazing creatures and it’s tragic when they lose their lives because of careless hikers and campers. 😢
Pro Tip: Don't camp in areas where the local bears have been habituated to humans.
Yeah, learned the hard way 😅
Some days you get a line up over the branch on the first throw and some days it goes a bit worse. The craziest thing I ever saw was a guy who set up his tent directly under his hanging bear bag (like his tent was a ramp) and wouldn't do anything about it after he was warned about how bad an idea it was. I've given some thought to bear cannisters over the years, but I don't think I'd put non-food items in one while hiking because then those things would start smelling like food if those items are in your tent afterwards.
Funny story! Thanks for sharing! That’s a good reminder. Anything that comes in contact with food during a trip in bear country should not be kept in the tent. 👍
Why not use the pulley system to hang your food bag?
You don't need much more than a pulley and two pieces of paracord; don't need a long branch (even a broken branch will do); much lighter and easier to pack than a canister; pulley makes it easy to lift up (no friction).
I think the canister is a good option but not sure if its the best. Mostly because of weight and needing to try to fit things inside of it.
Thanks for the tip! Sounds like a great method! I also like the method that is almost as good as hanging between two trees where the bag gets hung from a diagonal line anchored to one tree. A carabiner is used as the hoist point and slides up the line as it is pulled up. 😎
I usually backpack in areas of the California Sierras where there are black bears, but not high numbers. I prefer to use a counter balance method. I think it works really well if you have the right tree. The branch is too light for the bear to go out on, but flexible enough to hold his weight near the tree. 10-12 feet high, but 10 feet from the trunk if possible. I found bear cans too heavy and on a long trip one isn’t even enough for one person.
Thanks for the experience! Yeah, makes sense. My trips are usually 3 nights so I haven't had to deal with the size limitation yet. Stay safe!
I’ve backpacked in Yosemite many times and have had to use a canister. Never had a problem with a bear or seen one. Other than the weight I enjoy the food security and convenience.
Thanks for your comment! I would absolutely love to backpack in Yosemite. My wife and I visited once and we both agree it was even more breathtaking than The Grand Canyon 😃
The problem is when going back country finding a tree to hang can be impossible sometimes
I agree! And that’s the last thing I want to do at the end of a long day on the trail 😞
Awesome video!
Thanks so much!
I’m a bit of a newbie when it comes to bear canisters. Any reason why they are always “canisters”? It seems to me that a rectangular shape might be a better fit to insert into - or attach onto - a pack. Just curious.
Good question! I don’t know. I would guess that it has something to do with how a cylindrical object distributes a load. Maybe a rectangular object would be more likely to cave in 🤷🏼♂️
It's for strength. They need to withstand a bear stomping on them to "pop" the container, also a round shape eliminates places to grab/bite so they don't carry it off or rip it open.
I bought my backpacker cache canister in 96 for a backcountry canoe trip to Algonquin provincial park known for its dense black bear population.
That’s great! I think it’s one of the best ways to keep us and bears safe 👍
I camp in bear country and I have hung my food bag from trees hundreds of times and never had an issue
That’s great! Sounds like you have a rock solid method 👍
In parts of Ontario, Canada, the bears have figured out that they don't need to climb a tree for hanging bags....they just chew the rope until it breaks!
Thanks for sharing that! I think we all need to know that a bear hang is only as good as the line that holds it in the air. When a bear figures that out, it doesn’t matter how awesome we are at hanging a bear bag.
I've been saying for years that all backpackers should be using bear canisters always, no excuses. The industry needs to adjust itself around the need for all backpackers to always use bear canisters, like making sure that the packs they make and the canisters they make are compatible. I live in the Green Mountain National Forest region, and it is a fairly common sight to see black bears ambling through populated areas. I use a BearVault BV500, and the only time I don't carry it is when I am on a strictly local day trip, where it is unlikely that even adverse events would end up with me having to spent a night out unexpectedly, but there is an area of the Adirondacks not too far from my location where the BearVault products are prohibited, because bears in that area have learned to open them, impossible as it may seem. I'm in the market for a new pack that will fit the BV500 inside, horizontally, since my current pack does not do so.
Really, anyone who is interested in getting into backpacking or camping, and even veterans who don't yet own a bear canister, just go ahead and buy a bear canister that is approved for the areas you plan to visit before you buy anything else. Anything else. Get the canister first, then get the smallest pack that actually fits it and you comfortably. Make everything else revolve around that.
bears not only associate hanging bags with food, they also associate those big white square things in kitchens with holding food...speaking from experience in my cottage country...
It amazes me how intelligent they are! 😮
Why is it that all these section hikers feel the need to tell people not to use bear bags. I hiked the Pinhoti TrIl and the Appalachian Trail with a Zpack’s bear bag. At one camp outside of Parishburg, I was face to face with two black bears. One of them was huge. I just moved on to a camp with other hikers in it. I can tell by the gear on their backs they are beginners. By the time I reached Katahden my pack wasn’t much more than a day pack.
Thanks for your feedback! In my defense, I’m just sharing MY reasons for using bear canisters. If others share the same reasoning, great. If not, that’s fine, too. I also don’t say that hanging bear bags is bad. That entirely depends on if it’s done right. For me, I personally prefer canisters for the reasons stated in the video.
(actual bear) got me 💀
I was afraid he was going to get me when he turned and looked back at me 😟
We used canisters in Bryce canyon.
Oh wow! What a beautiful place 😎
If I were going into a wilderness area, I believe a bear canister would be the way to go. I canoe and backpack into Yellowstone NP and there, with designated campsites, a bear pole or bear box is in every campsite. The most common bear we would most likely see is a Grizzly bear. They do not climb trees, so anything up the bear pole is probably safe. Plus you are required to use the bear pole or bear box. Canisters, left on the ground, would not be permitted. I am not sure those bear canisters are Grizzly proof.
Thanks for the tips! I have no experience with grizzlies, so I appreciate your thoughts on what works.
Agree, those canisters are NOT Grizzly proof. And as you said where I backpack or canoe in Yellowstone, you are required to hang your food or use the bear box. last summer on a canoe trip on Yellowstone Lake I was surprised to see how many bear boxes there were in camp sites.
We’ll done thanks for the video
Thank you! I’m glad you enjoyed it 😊
👍 I was doing a section on the AT in Virginia and a bear got my PCT hang. Pulled on the trailing line until it broke the biner (cheap one)….
Oh wow! I’m sure that was a frustrating discovery 😫
I have to remind myself to pack in my small waist pack at the end of the day because I often carry snacks in it..
I hear ya. That’s a good reminder. I always get worried that I left some crumbs in there from one of my snacks. I’m thinking I might need to use odor-proof bags in my hip pockets so they don’t attract any attention during the night 😳
Great video thanks.
Thanks so much. Glad you liked it!
I totally agree.
Thanks! Glad you enjoyed the video ☺️
I always use a cow canister because there are no bears where I live.
🐮😱
All well and good, but how are you supposed to fit enough food for the trip into a container of that size?
I've been liking an electric fence for quite a while now.
Thanks for sharing those points! Wild Ideas makes a pretty large canister for up to 12 days of food. Would require a larger pack, though. I’ve been hearing more about electric fences. Seems like they are gaining popularity 👍
@@jfowler Standard electric fence chargers used for livestock are marketed as how much fence distance they'll cover. That figure is a derivative of an energy rating in joules which is a unit like the kw hours you pay for your electricity bill only much smaller.
Vehicle ignition coils are also rated in joules and are usually around 50 millijoules (mj). If you ever got stung by one you'd have an idea of what 50 mj (0.05 joules) feels like. That's about where small agricultural fence chargers start. Last I knew chargers.for bears were recommended to be a minimum of 700 mj (0.7 joules). I suppose it's because of the thick fur.
For farms there's often a place to plug a charger in for AC power to run the unit. You'll therefore be using one that runs on a battery of some sort, either internal to the charger or external. I don't know how much battery capacity is needed for use over time. The manufacturers or the web would offer guidance on that.
Tractor Supply is one dealer of chargers. I go there often for nuts and bolts (far cheaper there than anywhere else) and I usually browse given that my sometimes farmer dad instilled the interest in me. That's how I discovered the fencing supplies there. Even if you buy somewhere else at least you get to see them there.
Yes, it's all bulk and weight but that might be compared to or a substitute for the cans.
Bear canisters are also good at preventing raccoons from helping themselves. Raccoons just shimmy down a rope and access a bag unless it has a baffle. So, even where there are no bears a bear canister is a good thing.
Thanks for the tip! So true! Raccoons are very determined and agile 😮
Can't put much food in a bear canister. Plus there's all the added weight and space they take up.
Thanks for the comment! Yeah, everything has pros and cons.
We don't have bears in the UK, just badgers....
I went to Yosemite in 2004 and had to hire a canister, no problem. We were told that bears get into bags, and if bears learn that bags contain food that means they come to camps more.
EVERYONE should be using canisters - so that bears don't EVER get access to food.
Thanks so much! Yes, I agree. Bears learn very quickly and careless food handling often leads to trouble.
I also almost always carry a bear can. However, when I hiked a 100 mile section of the PCT from Old Station to Castle Crags, every single thru-hiker I met slept with their food in their tent! Since so many people seemed to be doing that, and surviving, I sent my bear can home.
Yeah, some areas seem to be hot spots while other areas rarely report encounters. Personally, I would be inclined to keep my food away from my sleeping area, though. If a bear wandered through, maybe it would be more curious about a tent with food rather than mine 😜
Canister? Too bulky. Ursack? Doesn’t work. Bear bag? Just right.
😊
Good point! Nothing is perfect for every situation. Important to know the location and the behavior of the wildlife there 👍
A bear's sense of smell is 18x that of a bloodhound.
That is really amazing! 😮
I don't know why, but almost all the bear camping tips and tricks are related to Black Bears even tho US has plenty of Brown Bears... us europeans would love to know about Brown Bears.
Sorry that I don’t have any experience with Ursus arctos; AKA brown bear, grizzly and the subspecies Kodiak Bear. My dad could tell some stories, though. He frequently traveled to Alaska to camp in the Arctic. In fact, a grizzly squashed his tent on the last night of one of his trips. He brought a bear canister and was required to carry a firearm.
Cliff Jacobson has done canoeing across extensive parts of the USA, within the territories of both black bears and brown bears (grizzly). I heard him say at one of his presentations that black bears are far more intelligent than most people can imagine, but that brown bears seem to be rather dumb. I suppose that means that anything that will keep your food away from a black bear will work for brown bears too.
Interesting. That’s good to know. I think how you respond to black, brown, and polar bears on the attack is different, though.
@@jfowler Oh yes. On the attack would be ENTIRELY different!!
It isn't really fair to compare canisters to a bad bear bag hang. I tend to be skeptical of straw man arguments, so that decreases your credibility.
Bear bag hangs are supposed to be between two trees. It decreases the association between the cord anchor location(s) and the bear bag.
They also make metal mesh bear bags that originated from car air bags. A good bear bag deployment should at least be the comparison to start from.
Yes, finding a good, tall pair of trees for a two tree hang can be difficult. I often camp in areas with very few trees, which makes it even harder. Yes, metal mesh bear bags are expensive. Are they lighter? Are they strong/secure enough?
But those issues should go up in the pros and cons, not dishonestly excluded entirely.
Thanks for the critique!
Also not a lot of food fits in them.
Thanks! This is true. I can probably get about 5 nights worth of food in my larger one.
exactly why I will carry my bear can... if I can't leave it at a base camp locked in the car, My can will be on the top of my pack, it has a bag and if I have to I can throw it at the bear and it can still be retrieved later on.
Thanks for your comments! Let’s hope you never have to throw your canister at a bear 😳
They are crazy inefficient to pack. Large, hard and round doesn't work well in a backpack.
Thanks for sharing your experience! Yeah, they can be a challenge, and require a little creative packing. I experienced this with my larger canister while trying to get it to fit in my ULA Circuit Ultra pack. When it was inside it pressed on the center of my back and this was pretty uncomfortable. When I strapped it to the top with the special Y strap accessory, it was top-heavy and unstable. In fact, when removing the pack from my back it slipped out entirely crashing to the floor. Even so, I bring a bear canister on every trip since I am pretty much always in bear country. But I’ve learned which packs work with which canisters and plan accordingly.
Bear canisters are heavy but better than having a bear lighten your weight even more. 😊
Agreed! 😅
It’s also a good idea if you’re an iPhone user to toss an AirTag inside your bear can. If you forget exactly where you put it or if a bear moves it, it could be the difference between losing your food or not.
Thanks for the tip! That is a good idea. It’s easy to forget exactly where it is even when it doesn’t move 😄
They make these gps tiles for all devices, not just iphone
Good video. Pretty much agree with all you wrote. I've used the Ursack Almighty without any issues, but not in a heavy bear area or where canisters are required (for good reason). I think of the Ursack as a "critter" bag, because hike after hike, camp after camp, it's really squirrels, ravens, field mice, and chipmunks get into everything, even with you sitting there. Yes, eventually a big bear can chew through an Ursack, at least easier than in a canister. But in places like the Cascades, the desert, coastal areas, where bears are not common, they work great.
1. Keep your bear canister/bag clean. Don't get greasy, smelly hands or drizzle from something like a Honey Stinger wrapper on them. Critters (and bears) will smell this from a long way away.
2. Always use an odor bag, or a doubled up gallon freezer bag to put your old food wrappers in.
3. The first day out on your backpack is "free", in that you don't need to store your food in it, as you're going to eat it before sunset.
4. In an area known for bear activity, even if the bears are known to be non-threatening, do not leave your camp abandoned more than 50 feet, even if your food is 200' away in a canister. Bears are curious, and if you are not around, they might just rip into your tent, tear open your $400 down sleeping bag, poke holes in your sleeping pad, etc. to see what's in there.
Thanks so much for the tips! A few practical measures can make all the difference. Odor proof bags have been a recurring suggestion and they make a lot of sense. Not leaving camp unguarded is important, too. Within seconds a bear can wipe out $1,000 worth of gear 😱
Agree. I prefer Ursack Almighty wherever bear canisters are not required.
A bear found my friend's Ursac. No, the bear didn't get in it, but everything inside was crushed and mixed beyond usability. So, I suppose it served its primary purpose of not teaching the bear that its efforts would be successful, but it didn't preserve the contents. Luckily, it was the last day of the trip.
"The first day out on your backpack is "free", in that you don't need to store your food in it, " But you will need to store your stove, utensils and food trash in it.
I’m so glad to see this post. Bear canisters are definitely a nuisance to carry and maybe not totally foolproof, but I think they are the best alternative to help a bear avoid becoming a “nuisance” that is then hunted and killed as a result of inexperienced or careless campers and hikers with ultralight tunnel vision.
Thanks for sharing that! Well said 👍
I like that expression of yours!"Ultra light tunnel vision "!
Mine is:dum as a donut hole!
Why do they make them round? Wouldn't they at least be a little easier to carry if they were rectangular?
@@thefayyazisthey make them round because it's a much stronger design, it's harder for bears to grip them or apply significant pressure
Such a well thought video Jeff. I've come to a lot of the same conclusions. Even whatever space they take up besides being offset by the fact that they can be used for storage is that the only space lost is the actual thickness of the can itself, not the cubic air space in them, so really, it isn't that much space that's lost. Another plus is that they're great of packing sensitive items that might be prone to being crushed and work as a hard case and for keeping hygiene products like toothpaste that attract wildlife.
Thanks, I really appreciate it! Great tips! I totally agree. At first, the canister was the big unwieldy object I had to wrestle with. Now, i don’t give it a second thought. Everything just fits 😎
Some black bears in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park have figured out how to open some bear canisters, and it is thought that they are teaching one another. No kidding. The park now requires _all_ food and smellies to be hung, even if it is in a cannister. Per the official website:
"Bear canisters are not required nor recommended in the backcountry. If you choose to carry a bear canister, it must be placed in your pack and hung in the cable system to comply with the park requirement."
My cannister specifically states to _not_ hang it, as it may not take the shock of a drop. They say it's designed to be clawed and bitten, but not dropped. What to do, what to do.
Good to know! I’m constantly amazed by bears. There’s a famous bear in the Adirondacks that figured out how to open BearVault canisters. Personally, I have a UDAP No-Fed-Bear canister and Backpackers Cache. Been good so far, but who knows? Regarding Great Smoky Mountain, thankfully they set up cables for a secure hang. It’s difficult to get it right when utilizing trees. Thanks for sharing the info 😄
Wow black bears sure are sharp
Sure, but last time I was in that area, most campsites had established cable systems that were really easy to use. It's not that bad.
Promoting a product without turning your video into an advertisement for a specific manufacturer. The wellbeing of the wildlife and your fellow hikers seems to be your motivation. Well done, Sir!
Thanks so much! It sounds like you are concerned about the safety of fellow hikers and wildlife as well. I really appreciate it when people like yourself are responsible and conscientious when enjoying the outdoors. Stay safe out there ☺️
@@jfowler that said, what is your favorite bear can make/model?
@jbro151 I have two. The first is a UDAP No-Fed-Bear canister. It’s my lightest and smallest and fits in my 48L pack. I can comfortably pack food for a 3 night trip. The second is a Garcia Backpackers Cache which is a little larger and heavier. It requires a little larger pack. I’ll bring that one on trips where I’m not covering as many miles and want to have a few extra treats.
@@jfowler thanks!!
I use a bear canister, plus you can get different sizes for different trips. I do hang my cooking utensils, pharmaceuticals, sun block ect. I love the reflective tape suggestion.
Glad you enjoyed the tips! That’s a great idea that some people neglect. The fragrances and odors on stuff other than food definitely attract bears.
As a Californian, we have to live with the reality of bear canisters. I'm glad that Desolation Wilderness in Tahoe finally went with the requirement last year. Those pine trees have thin branches that point downwards and you're not going to get a proper hang. Ursaks need to be defended; otherwise bears there had learned to just keep picking at the same spot in the bag. They eventually tear open and food gotten into.
Thanks for sharing your experience! Unfortunately, I hear more and more about Ursaks getting torn open. I’ve also read about a bear in New York State that has learned how to open Bear Vaults.
@@jfowler I eventually went w/ a Bearikade Blazer. It was one of my last big upgrades... slightly more volume than a BV500 and ~$35/ounce for the difference.
I usually stick it a bush overnight. So when you hear metallic tapping at night, you know that a bear is checking it out =)
@@jfowler ,
Yeah, it's a female bear and she's been teaching the other bears how to do it.
I have to respect that bear. After a long day on a winter's hike, I sometimes struggle to open the lid with my freezing fingers on the Bear Vault. So that bear is smarter than I am.
The other thing that some bears have learned to do is to roll the canister off a cliff to break it open. So you're really have to do a good job of anchoring or wedging it into something, like the crotch of a tree or a rock pile.
@@jfowler they can't open a bear vault while I'm running at them like crazy person with a stick. chasem like youre gonna eatem. They bluff charge as well.
@@chriseidam7319 bears are like prisoners....to much time, curiosity, and dogged determination to get what they want.
Camping in the boundary waters of Minnesota, I've always hung a kevlar bear bag, suspended between 2 trees. I'd say anything is better than nothing, but a bear canister would be a good idea as well, as it can float if it ever falls into a body of water; whereas a bear bag probably won't.
It sounds to me that you hang your bag the right way. That takes some skill! The bear canisters that I have are not watertight, so water will get in if submerged. However, I think it would float if there are some sealed backpacking meals or Ziploc bags inside. Thanks for the feedback! 😎
The canister is definitely simpler and quicker. Less prone to user error too; many bear bags aren't hung "properly" so the bear can't reach (like the friend in the video)
For sure! Yeah, he learned a lesson that day, but he really likes to tell the story 😂 Thanks for watching and sharing your thoughts!
I use a Bearikade which reduces the weight quite a bit. They are expensive but worth it if you're an ounce counter. They also have rental canisters which I did try first before purchasing. It was very easy. Happy hiking.
Thanks for your comments. We rented a couple of those, too. I love how light they are but I wish they would design one with a narrower diameter. That would make them compatible with a lot more packs.
I'd love to get a Bearikade, however they are not IGBC certified so they're not approved in some NP like Yellowstone or Glacier =(
Remember also that as you consume the contents from your canister you can utilise the empty space to pack any waste (packaging, leftover bits of food, even soiled paper towel or such if used during clean up etc) into the bottom, just keep a strong sealable poly bag to prevent any contamination or smell from the waste in your canister. Not only keeps your site clean during & after your stay but less possibility of smells attracting wildlife.
Thanks for the tips! That’s an important reminder that i wish I mentioned in the video. Anything other than food that goes in the canister needs to be protected from the food odors. 👍
Im a somewhat beginner backpacker and I’ve never put a ton of thought into my bear bag so this is super helpful thanks! :)
I’m glad you found it helpful! Welcome to the trail! I mostly backpack in the Southeast United States which has a growing population of black bears. So, bear canisters are a necessity for me. I’m sure there are other areas of the country where there is less risk of bear encounters. Personally, I like the peace of mind of having one along. 😄
Take a look at wild-ideas Bearikade
I live a few hours from the AT in New England and the bears have learned how to take down hanging bear bags and slash through Ursaks.
There are plenty of bear boxes, but they are sometimes full. And I had an habitual through-hiker named "Jazzman" steal food from my canister where it was stashed in a bear box in Massachusetts...after he took a 30-minute dump in the privy at midnight. He is one of the infamous, chronically-homeless backpackers constantly hiking trails and stealing from other hikers. He even stole one of my dirty Darn Tough socks before he bolted from that shelter early that morning. Not both socks. Just one. And yeah, he was a privy door slammer.
Now I won't use a bear box if other hikers are at the site. I have heard of food theft from other hikers.
@gregoryfarris4801 Yeah, on our first trip with bear canisters we rented a couple of those. Super nice, and pretty light!
@chriseidam7319 that’s pretty comical until you mention the part about Darn Tough sock. I love my Darn Toughs 😂
Thank you. Straight forward and to the point. I am hoping that some brainiac comes up with a canister solution that is lighter and collapses when food/trash/smellables volume decreases.
I’m so glad you enjoyed it! Yes, a more packable and lighter solution would be great. It would definitely take some brains! Bears are so crazy powerful and determined.
That collapsing idea is genius. You might want to contact one of the companies that makes the carbon fiber canisters that can be customized.
Maybe ask the company who built that cheap Titanic submarine. It can collapse real good
I've always used Ursacs for hiking in Michigan and the AT. The only animal that got into it was a red squirrel. I suspect bears just never happened upon the bag in all these trips. This video definitely makes me consider buying a bear cannister for future trips. Thanks.
Absolutely! I don’t have any personal experience to share regarding Ursak, but I have heard about bears getting in them. Might be worth considering the alternatives.
Lots of pics of damaged ursacks online. When they don’t get into them the bear will smash and destroy the contents making them unusable… plastic packaging and food contents turned into its own special granola. Bear doesn’t get the treat, but neither do you so your trip can be ended. I’m in Colorado and see people posting about it every summer, especially on the CT. I’ll use one where bears aren’t expected but are possible but usually I carry a bearikade.
My uncle and cousin and my dad and I were on the first day of a multiday canoe trip in the boundary waters in 1976. We hung our food in a bag. Right after my cousin and I had gotten in the tent a black bear came into camp. Nothing we did scared the bear, banging pans, shouting, etc. The bear started climbing trees until it found the one with the bag. It climbed above the branch and tried to break off the limb with its foot. When that failed it started to come back down. At that time, we decided that maybe we should retreat to the lake in our canoes. We stayed out in the lake for about 45 minutes until we heard the next campsite down the lake barking and making noise. When we got back into camp, we found that the bear had chewed the branch in half and ate all of our food. Lucky for us it was the first night of the trip, so we just paddled out in the morning, and we did not have to go hungry of several days. It did cut the trip short by 3 days. I can also answer the question do bears shit in the woods. The answer is no, they shit in the middle of your campsite.
Wow, that’s quite an experience! Amazing how bold, determined and smart that bear was. So, sorry to hear that trip was cut short. Glad everyone stayed safe and have a story to tell, though 😄
From what I have read it depends on which canister you use. A while back I was reading that in some parks the bears have actually opened up canisters. Not sure which brand of canister but one of them. Probably a better bet to check with the park your interested in and see if they have banned certain canisters. The other problem could be the use of designated campsites , the Bears know the food will be there or in that area when people are around.
Thanks for mentioning it! I think you’re right. There are published lists of which bear canisters are approved. Definitely a good idea to be familiar with which ones are allowed.
Also I know of more than one canister that has been carried off on the AT this year...Two went missing in the Hot Springs area just a few weeks ago...
That would be the BearVault canister that a few bears have managed to open. If I remember correctly, the BearVault canisters are no longer allowed in the Adirondacks. Definitely check the list of approved bear canisters before you go someplace.
Don't tempt fate. Keep your contact down with bears. Don't leave a canister vulnerable if you can. Take all precaution.
There's plenty of other wild life.
My tip is that not all bear canisters are created equal. The clear blue BearVault cans have been banned in the ADK region because they have been defeated by some bears there. You need to use the more resistant Garcia Backpackers Cache.
Thanks for the tip! I’ve seen a picture of one of those torn open BearVault canisters. Personally, I have a Udap No-Fed-Bear and a Backpacker’s Cache. For my three day trips the Udap is the best size. Stay safe!
I took one of those Bearvault blue cans to Alaska, Wrangell St Elias, a few years ago and it got crushed and ripped open at the lid. We didn't see or hear anything. It was my first time using one and we were on the tundra for the first part of the trip so that was kind of our only option anyway. We had to satellite call for a food drop as we were in the middle of a 21 day hike.
Great PSA, I'm sure this will help quite a few new backpackers. Especially in a world where most videos are focused on the gram counting you mentioned. I know we always follow the triangle rule as well. Where you make a triangle between your campsite (upwind), your bathroom area, and your bear box/cooking area. Really helps reducing the risk of them coming through your camp to knock around a canister they can't get into.
Thank so much! I’m glad you enjoyed it. That’s an excellent rule to follow. I am going to have to commit that to memory and apply it on the next trip. Stay safe! 😊
Nice video! Good idea. New follower here. Crow
Excellent! Welcome aboard 😎
I went backpacking in Yosemite 20 years ago and we had bear canisters there. You had to. Literally and lawfully i think.
Don't be a lame and get a canister plz. You can rent them even.
Thanks! For sure. I see it as a small thing with far reaching benefits 👍
I canister. But I have never had a hung bag bothered in 5 decades of hanging, in problem bear areas.
Thanks, it sounds like you have a good system working for you 👍
Glad I live in New Zealand - you can hike and camp in the outdoors and no snakes or bears.
That is a plus! And a beautiful place to live. Would love to see it someday 😊
Bear canester..That's the video. Have some more of your life back.
I give away the answer in the description, too.
I've never had a bear get at a bag hung from a tree but I have had rodents climb down the paracord and gnaw through the bag and get at the food inside. Chipmunks will get it every time.
Lately that’s become my biggest concern. Especially with popular campsites and shelters along the Appalachian Trail. Rodents can definitely make protecting food and gear a difficult challenge 😖
If you see a bear twice, leave. She ain’t leaving.
I think you’re right! 😅
Most people have trouble getting that rock bag over a high branch. I carry a hiking stick that is 45 inches long which I use as a catapult (also called Staff Sling), gives me more power and directional control to toss that rock bag right where I want it. I tie a loop on bear line that just fits over my hiking stick/catapult, 8 inches down the line is rock bag, then rest of line. Swing the catapult and stop the swing just before stick is straight up, rock bag flings off and makes it over high branch. May take a couple times to learn how to do it but once learned it is far easier.
Nice! Thanks for the tip. That’s the challenging part, getting the line where you want it. Especially when bridging your hang between two trees. Thanks for sharing!
I started using a bear canister this year and while the weight and volume is a bit of a pain, as I try to go as light as possible, I have gotten tired of trying to do a good hang for the reasons you point out. One other thing I do is to put the food in an odour free bag and then find a low point in the landscape away from camp and so far no problem.
Thanks for your thoughts! That’s a great tip. Don’t give the bear a reason to investigate in the first place 👍
A friend at work is going to Alaska to hunt moose with his brother. He is taking along a bear fence, and a 10 mm Glock.
Amazing country up there! Sounds like he is well prepared 👍
I have backpacked the Alaskan backcountry a lot--from the Kenai Peninsula to the Brooks Range (not from one to the other)
Rule #1 You don't eat where you sleep.
I typically eat my main meal in an open spot, out of the wind around 3-3:30, clean up and continue on for another hour before making camp.
I've had lots of encounters with bears, a few were memorable and one was on the verge of becoming pretty sporty, but not a single one involved a bear messing with my food.
On the trail I eat freeze dried meals--boil water, rehydrate, eat. I take the packaging and burn it at the first opportunity, usually every other day. And then I pack out the remnant bits of aluminum.
Cayenne pepper is a great deterrent. You can put it in a cotton bag and hang it, and also sprinkle it around the camp boundery.
Thanks for the tip! 😎
Thanks Jeff, I appreciate the video. I know the day is coming when the ATC demands that food is stored in a bear canister. This will make me sad for sure as they are indeed heavy. For overnight and some 3 day 2 night hikes I can get away with using the 425 BV which I believe is the smallest size they offer. Maybe the time to start getting used to these is now. They are also much easier to stash for the night a bear bag in a tree can take some time especially when you are tired. Thanks for sharing the video and stay safe!
Thanks, I’m so glad you enjoyed it! You might be right. As the bear population increases and they become more comfortable around people, it seems there is more potential for dangerous encounters. Stay safe out there! 😊
Curious, how can a two-tree hang be vulnerable to bears/other animals? When you suspend between two trees, it’s much easier to achieve good height and spacing, compared to a one-tree hang.
Thanks for your feedback. I prefer that method, too. Hanging a bag from a single limb seems much more vulnerable. I’m not saying that hanging a bear bag doesn’t work. However, it has to be done right and my observation is that most people don’t know how or don’t care. Personally, I would rather take 2 minutes walking my canister away from camp than 30 minutes or more engineering a hang done right. Not that this is typical, but one of my buddies spent over an hour working on hanging his bag. At the end of a long day on the trail, I just don’t have the patience 😄
I didn't know there was such a thing as a bear canister. I'm definitely going to get a couple as I sometimes go bicycle touring through bear country. Thanks for your great info.
Absolutely! So glad you enjoyed the video 👍
I've always felt that hanging your food just attracts more bears. Like dumping blood in the water to attract sharks.
I can see that as a definitely possibility. Who knows, hoisting food high in the air might increase the effect. I don’t know. It seems that some bears have learned to look for hanging bags. I know that was the case with our first encounter.
Welcome to the "most unpopular guy on RUclips" club. People freak about bear cans because they want the space to bring more crap they can't live without. I carry a 42 liter (30 liter bag) pack that measures 11w x 5"D and is frameless.
I take a large 2 person tent, sleeping pad, 2 sit pads (1 is gg 1/8" roll) a 10 degree quilt, 2 fleece jackets and a windbreaker rain gear
a cook kit...I take it all plus a BV400 or BV500 every time inside. Everything fits with plenty of room to spare. I just packed it yesterday...it'll be 20 to 23 lbs with 5 days food and a liter of water.
I say this because I'm proud of it. It took me a decade to get there but the excuses for no bear cans are silly to me. Its always full. As the food goes down the trash goes up, eventually my cook kit will fit in and make packing easier. Its infinitely more convenient. Its a chair, a table, a washing machine, a broch or a pterodactyl (you have to be old)
Love my bear can and now theres tweener sizes from bear vault.
the rangers say "chase a bear like you're gonna eat it" words to live by. keep the food away from your camp and way away from you.
I think we would get along great on the trail! 23 lbs for a 5 day trip is awesome! I carry camera gear so I am really happy with anything less than 25. Thanks for sharing!
"chase a bear like you're gonna eat it" - what do you mean by this?
It is a matter of attitude. An aggressive predator will often scare off another predator that isn’t willing to risk a fight. This does NOT always work.
i love bears and love your respect and caring for the bears!
Thanks so much! That’s vital, love AND respect 😊
GREAT video! After 15 yrs of backpacking experience in the back country, I have come to all the same conclusions you present here. Interesting how little help retailers like REI and mfr’s of backpacks offer on the subject. I use a BV500 now when bear protection is called for, I think the real benefit is the protection from small critters, who are MUCH more likely to eat and run at your expense!! Thanks for the video, I was happy to hit the subscribe button!
Thanks so much! I’m really glad you enjoyed it. Yeah, I think you hit the nail on the head. The smaller critters can definitely be problem. Especially in frequently used campsites where they come to expect and rely on campers as their primary food source.
How do you keep from losing the screws on the top when you have the canister open? I just feel I'd lose them.
Thanks for your question! They actually don’t come out. You give them a 1/4 turn to open the canister and they stay attached to the lid. I keep a 3/8" flat washer attached to my pack which is the perfect size to turn the screws.
@@jfowler Great idea! I was thinking a coin, but I'd lose it. A washer can hang out with my whistle on my pack. Thank you for responding!
Jeff, thanks for the informative video. As a solo female hiker, your bear hang experiences give me a different perspective on food storage in the backcountry. I used to think that as long as I hung my food, the bears wouldn't get it. I think that is generally the case where I've hiked in Central Canada, Mexico and Belize. However, I'm hiking in Montana this summer and will consider picking a bear canister up after watching this video. Also subscribing to your channel. ✅️
Thanks so much! Of course, where you hike is a big factor to consider. Bears are simply not a problem in some parts of the world. However, here in the Southeast United States, a bear encounter is always a possibility. Honestly, the only reason I got a bear canister at first was because it was a requirement for the area where I was backpacking. Then I was hooked by the convenience and reliability of using one. Thanks for sharing your comments. Stay safe out there! 😄🥾
Great tips based on your precious experience. Thank you for your time & effort!
That’s so kind of you! Thank you. I’m really glad that you find the information helpful. Stay safe!
That's why I always bring multiple firearms.
You're not an ultralight backpacker I gather 😜
@jfowler nope! Just a woodsman. It's stupid to go into bear country unarmed. Period! Carry a shockwave, with 00 buck on the side of my backpack and a 45 on my hip. If a bear gets me it will have earned it!
Odor Proof Bag. O.P. Sack. I’ll say it again. Odor proof bag. O.P. Sak. I never had a problem. The ONE time I didn’t use one, the bear found the bear can and knocked it around. My friend brought VERY AROMATIC pipe tobacco and salted meats 🤦♂️
Great tips! Yeah, I agree. Been using “odor-proof” bags on my last few trips. I think they probably reduce the odors but maybe not eliminate them completely. I still think they are a great idea. 👍
I have come to the same conclusion that you have; always use a bear can. Your video does a great job of explaining why. Also, spot on with the pro's and con's.
Thanks! I really appreciate it. Stay safe 👍
A good reason to resume hunting bears.
Some areas have opened limited black bear hunting seasons
@@jfowler and long over due in others.
If you love canisters, you’ve got problems
All of this makes so much sense to me. Thanks for posting.
Thanks so much! Im glad you enjoyed it 😊