Food Storage in Bear Country

pat walsh

pat walsh

Junior Ranger
We are going to Cheyenne Mountain State Park in CO in April. The surrounding area is known to have black bears. Anyone have some good ideas for food storage while in the campground.

And do you carry bear spray?
 
I posted the following previously:

Once upon a time I remember posting something about camping in the Raindrop and being concerned about bears. Well, I found something that looks pretty interesting - I've even seen it on National Geographic channel. Here's the link:

http://www.udap.com/testifybearshock.htm
 
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We visited Yellowstone National Park last year which has both Grizzly and Black bears. Park camping regulations in Yellowstone are pretty strict concerning food storage. Any time when we were away sightseeing or at night sleeping, all food, food containers (coolers, food prep items, stoves) had to be put away out of sight and trash could not be left out. Stowing them in a tent is not acceptable. Has to be in your vechicle or RV. If you don't have the room, Yellowstone provides steel bear proof containers for community use (usually found near the bathrooms) where you could store dry food goods and coolers if you have no other place to put them. The parks stance is if it can give off a scent, it needs to be put away.
 
Bear Spray is up to you. If you plan to do any backcountry hiking, it probably a good idea. Hiking bells (small bells you either wear or put on you pack) which will make noise as you walk is also a good idea.
Black bears are pretty easy to scare off with enough noise. But if you got one which is determined to get into your TD with you, you'll be glad to have it.
 
Bears have been discussed on the forums before,
http://www.campinnforum.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Main=191&Number=2471#Post2471

Not that it's a bad thing to bring up again but you may want to see what was said before. As far as bear spray goes, I don't go camping without it. Doesn't matter if I'm going to bear country or not. Some people travel with a gun but I feel safe with my bear spray, and I don't have to worry about my sons or wife blowing their heads off. Bear spray has a decent range and while it is a very good deterrent to grizzlies and black bears it is incapacitating to scumbags ;-) Actually you do have to be careful with bear spray as well. A good bear spray can fog an area up to and exceeding 30 feet away and depending on the skoville units of your spray it can blister the skin and cause death if enough is inhaled.
 
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In addition to the storage of food & disposal of trash, you need to take precautions where you prepare & eat food. Tables (even picnic) & counters need to be washed to remove food residue & scent. If you don't have a gray water tank, dish water needs to be disposed of properly. In places like Yellowstone, there are dish washing stations located inside the bathroom building for washing dishes & disposing of wash water.

:cool:
 
Steve, I can't recommend a particular brand. I bought mine at Cabella's and I just looked for the highest skoville units available and the largest can that would be comfortable to hike with. It is readily available online, even at amazon. The 7 to 9 oz bottles are what I've bought because they are comfortable to wear on a belt or pack without being cumbersome. I've never had to use mine but I've had it in hand when I knew there was a bear within 100 yards in Glacier NP and been reassured that I had it. I've seen the rangers use it to deter grizzlies from coming near the lodges in Glacier as well. Unlike the small mace bottle people buy for personal protection these guys put off a fog instead of a stream so a little "backsplash" is possible. I've know people who "tested" them and were very sorry as the wind blew a little back onto them. I've also known people who had them accidentally discharge hanging on the back of a backpack and soak through to their shirts, again they were very sorry it did. Properly carried and handled they are very safe.
 
Just an " FYI " Google search !

" Bear Spray
Counter Assault bear spray is the best brand on the market in my opinion and the ONLY brand on the market which meets all requirements. Counter Assault is also the original developer and manufacturer of bear spray, and the only brand extensively tested by the University of Montana...."
http://www.yellowstone-bearman.com/b_spray.html

http://counterassault.com/html/beardeterrent.html

My only additional advice " Get the Largest Can (10.2 oz) " you can comfortably carry. It will allow for more than one good spraying, plus it will contain more pressure, for greater distance & coverage !

I personally used a product called " BEAR GUARD ", (15 + years ago) which expelled a red colored " Fog/Mist " about twenty feet.

Some people are " Very Allergic " ( Close/Constrict Throat Passages; Unable to Breath).
So be very careful using it in " CAMP ", with others in proximety !

L.M.
 
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Not exactly on topic.... But..... When Karin and I were on a way home from picking up Towed Hall, we stopped at Devil's Tower. We were sitting in the car, parked in the trailer parking area, surrounded by 5th wheels and bus RV's..... when several people walked by. The main man commented to his friends while glancing at our beloved TD..... "oh that's just a can waiting for a bear to open" as they passed by us. We were not impressed but we do chuckle about it .... and carry a big can of bear spray in case we see the guy again (or a bear) .
 
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