I generally do something to protect my food even though I know that bears are not likely to be a problem. Mice can be a real problem as can raccoons and even skunks. In my area pack rats, ringtail cats and ravens can try to get at your food. So, yes, it is a good idea to protect it. You don't need to hang it but it needs to be in something that mice can't chew through and that raccoons can't haul off. I use an ursack or I hang, sometimes both.