Bear Proof

I am going on a 3 day hike at the end of the month and just found out that the area has the highest black bear pop. they have had in years. I dont have the money to buy a bear proof canister, but was looking for some tips on a bear bag and how to hang it. Please help I dont want to lose all my food to some hungry waking bear.

Do a google search for PCT method.

This is probably one of the better links for describing the PCT method. I like to tie off the free end of the rope so if it's windy, the bag won't spin around and make a tangled mess of the rope.

Hanging Technique

You can sometimes rent bear canisters instead of buying them, which can be a nice way of trying out a model before buying one. Whether I'd go that route or use a bag in your situtation depends on the regulations in the area you plan to hike.

I just wanted to add a vote for the PCT method. I have been using it for a while and I love it. I used to use the old throw it over a limb and tie it off to a trunk method until a racoon chewed through the portion of cord tied around the trunk.

i often hang my food (no canister to carry)- but i urge you to consider a canister. i would not even think of hanging in grisly bear country! it's way to dangerous! nothing worse than loosing all your food (and gear) to a bear and having to hike out hungry- or have a physical encounter.

hanging food is also a learned skill- takes practice and patience. i can easily spend a half an hour wandering around looking for a suitable tree (in an area full of trees!), then another 15 minutes trying to huck that rock over the right branch at the right place.

check with the agencies for the area you are going to- some have bear canisters to use for FREE!

Bah. on what do you base that? Sounds like Bullonium 238 to me... I hike in Grizzly country far more
often than not, and I hang. Either PCT method or on park provided poles. I've never had a problem - nor
does parks canada. Mostly it is simple common sense.

Most of the places that require Canisters are because of Habituated Black Bears, not grizzlies.

The only place I'd worry about a canister for Grizzlies is Tundra country where there is noplace to hang,
then you better believe I'll take a canister and be doing the whole triangle thing for cooking/storage/tenting.




This I agree with. Make your pct rig and go to a local park and practice a few times before going out.

Yeah, I agree with phat here. Being that the original poster is in OH, I doubt the poster has to deal with black bears like the ones in parks in CA. Over here on the other coast the black bears just don't behave the same as the ones on the left coast (except for maybe in the Adirondacks from what I have read). So hanging is a perfectly good method to use. I also urge a little practice although it's not rocket science. You find a suitable tree, you throw your cord over a limb using a rock or rock bag or whatever, you attach your food bag, you pull it up, and then you spend 20 minutes trying to remember the clove hitch...oh wait...maybe that's just me that spends 20 minutes on the knot...I was never that good at knots.