Ursack Strikes Back

This is not new news and it's not news at all for some, but here's a partial quote from the Ursack website:

April 4, 2008
Ursack has reluctantly, but resolutely, filed suit against the Sierra Interagency Black Bear Group (SIBBG) asking the court to reverse what we believe is SIBBG's arbitrary and capricious decision to withdraw approval of the Ursack S29 Hybrid. We are joined in this suit by some representative backpackers including: a former Tuolomne Meadows ranger, a college chemistry professor, and the holder of the record for the fastest self-contained female solo of the John Muir Trail. There is no way to predict, at this point, when or how the case will be resolved, but it is at least possible that Ursacks will once again be allowed in the restricted areas of the Sierra this summer.

"The lawsuit does not seek money. Instead, it asks that Ursack be evaluated objectively, and that backpackers' needs be factored into any decision that prohibits the use of Ursack or any other product. SIBBG's decision to ban Ursack was based on the allegation of 6 failures. There is no such thing as a bear "proof" container. All canisters have failed at one time or another. SIBBG refuses to produce evidence of these alleged Ursack failures, but we know from SIBBG's written description that in two cases bears got no food, and in two cases the problem was user error--the Ursacks were not torn and could be effectively used again today. Because we don't have the evidence, we don't know what happened in the other two incidents."

Just my luck, I bought mine a few months before their approval was rescinded. I only had a chance to use it on one trip.

Maybe Ursack has a chance. I wish them luck in court. And don't forget there are still lots of areas that still allow them.

They don't have a chance in hades of winning against the SIBBG...he'll just put himself into bankruptcy quicker.

I use my original TKO in places. Those newer ones sure are purdy.:)

Yet, nearly everywhere else in the US you can use an Ursack. I own two and have been a happy user since around 2001. Due to my preaching I have had at least 30 or more friends buy one since then. Out here we love our Ursacks.

For some reason just the word 'Ursack' brings the hating out......

I have a Ursack and think that it is a good piece of equipment but he lost a lot of my respect when he sued Crittersack which was an entirely different piece of equipment. Methinks he may be lawsuit happy and is determined to win to show that he is right no matter what the ultimate damage may be.

ditto - i thought the crittersack lawsuit was bullying and as a result i won't buy from Ursack again, even if they do win their suit against SIBBG. IIRC, the owner of Ursack is a lawyer. sheesh, hope he doesn't sue me for having an opinion.

Tarbubble, what came of the crittersack lawsuit? Sarbar, I don't hate ursack. I was figuring the guy was wasting his time and would lose money over the issue. I could be wrong.

I have always thought that just doubling the bags up for these special Sierra areas would be a great simple solution and still far lighter and more practical than the cans. Ursack could just make one a little oversize to go over the inner bag. Then, there's nothing wrong with having an extra Ursack for other areas.

I have somewhat ambivalent feelings towards Ursack, too, since those of us who bought the Vectran bags before August 2006 have been left in the lurch with a bag that Ursack admits is not bear-resistant. However, for those of us outside the SIBBG-controlled areas, it's still a great item for storing food. It is lightweight, doesn't require hours of searching for suitable trees and throwing rocks (something at which I am very bad at) and in most places in the US does keep the varmints out of our food supply. There are a lot of hikers in this country who do not hike in national parks or in places where, to a bear, anything in a bag = pinata. For the majority of us, the Ursack is definitely the answer.

I don't know if Ursack's current outlook is due to the lawyer owner or their location in California, but I think Ursack should forget expensive lawsuits and instead concentrate on marketing to the majority of backpackers, not to those who frequent the Sierra or to PCT through-hikers. I would hate to see them go out of business due to a misguided marketing policy.