The Call of the Wild and the Risk of Attraction
The Danger of Unsecured Food
The vast wilderness, teeming with life, beckons adventurers and nature enthusiasts alike. It’s a realm of stunning beauty, challenging terrains, and encounters with magnificent creatures, including the powerful and often misunderstood bear. As we venture into their habitat, it is our responsibility to understand and respect their space, minimizing the risk of conflict and ensuring the safety of both humans and these majestic animals. One of the most critical aspects of responsible wilderness travel revolves around proper food storage. This is where the often-underestimated practice of hanging food from bears steps into the spotlight, acting as a frontline defense against unwanted encounters and safeguarding the well-being of both people and the bear population.
The call of the wild often means backpacking, camping, and enjoying the splendor of the outdoors. However, the lure of a delicious meal and the natural allure of readily available food can become a dangerous combination, particularly in areas inhabited by bears. Bears, driven by their innate need to forage for sustenance, possess an extraordinary sense of smell, far exceeding that of humans. This allows them to detect food odors from considerable distances, even through layers of packaging. A single misplaced granola bar, a forgotten smear of peanut butter, or a carelessly discarded food wrapper can quickly attract these opportunistic creatures, leading to unwanted and potentially dangerous situations.
Consequences of Attracting Bears
Attracting bears to campsites or trails is a problem with multiple facets. Firstly, it increases the risk of direct encounters, with the potential for human injury or even worse. Secondly, a bear that learns to associate humans with food is more likely to become a “nuisance bear,” leading to property damage and increased interaction with humans in search of food. This often leads to the undesirable consequence of bears being euthanized because of their learned behaviors. Finally, habituated bears can become more aggressive, as they lose their natural fear of humans.
Conversely, hanging food from bears is about minimizing the risk of bringing this to a head. It’s about removing the allure and teaching the bears, again, that humans aren’t a source of easy food. The proper application of these techniques is therefore paramount to fostering a safe coexistence.
Why Hanging Food Matters
The Importance of Odor Management
One of the key reasons hanging food is essential is that it helps to minimize the spread of scent that would attract bears to the site. Keeping all human scents, including food, toiletries, trash, and even scented items like bug spray away from the bears, will help make the area less interesting. Even the smallest amount of leftover food or waste can send an attractant that will eventually lead to a potential issue.
Preventing Access: Keeping Food Out of Reach
Proper food storage techniques also helps prevent the bears from accessing food. This is a critical step, since the bears are naturally inclined to want to find food, and will do whatever it takes to be successful. It will not only reduce the potential for a confrontation, but it will help the bear population as well, since they will continue to forage for themselves.
Safety for All
A well-executed food storage system has the power to dramatically reduce the likelihood of conflict between humans and bears. By removing access to food sources, the chances of an encounter are minimized. This ultimately ensures a better experience for the outdoor enthusiast, and it helps protect the bear’s natural behavior as well.
Mastering the Hanging Food Method
The PCT Method: Simple Yet Effective
Let’s dive into the mechanics of the techniques that safeguard your food and minimize the risk of attracting bears, starting with the fundamental art of hanging food.
The simplest method for hanging food is commonly referred to as the “PCT method,” named after its popularity among hikers on the Pacific Crest Trail. Although it’s a fairly straightforward system, the devil is in the details, so let’s walk through the process. The core concept involves suspending your food high above the ground and away from the trunk of a tree, making it inaccessible to bears.
The first step is to find the right tree. Look for a sturdy branch that is at least twelve feet above the ground and extends at least six feet from the tree trunk. This will help prevent the bear from climbing up the tree or reaching the bag from the trunk.
You will need sturdy rope, ideally twenty to thirty feet long. A lighter-weight rope is preferred over a thick one. A proper food bag made specifically for storing food away from bears. This bag should be bear resistant. A counterweight, such as a large rock or a bag of rocks. Some use a small bag of food for this.
Once the tree and rope are gathered, carefully throw the rope over the branch. Ensure that the rope can slide freely over the branch and does not get caught. It’s often useful to practice this toss a few times before putting your food into the bag.
Next, attach the food bag to the rope. The bag should be securely closed, as well as containing all of the food items. Consider double-bagging any items, such as food or trash that are aromatic.
Now, tie the counterweight to the end of the rope. Carefully pull the rope over the branch, lifting the food bag and the counterweight until the bag is at the desired height.
Once the food bag is hanging, secure the rope. There are several methods for doing this, but the most important consideration is to make sure that the rope is kept out of the bear’s reach. Ensure that the food bag is hanging at a height of at least ten feet off the ground and six feet from the tree trunk. This ensures that the bag is out of reach of a bear.
The Two-Bag Approach
Another method involves a variation that uses two bags. One bag is for food, and the second bag for anything that smells like food. This will reduce the risk of odors from attracting bears.
The setup is fairly simple. The core concept is similar to the PCT method. You’ll need a sturdy branch and a good rope. Then, two bags, one to hold your food, and the other to carry any items which could potentially cause scents that would be interesting to a bear.
The process is the same. Find a branch, preferably at least twelve feet off the ground, and throw your rope over it. Pull the rope and the bags high, and then secure the rope.
Alternatives: Bear-Resistant Containers
While the hanging method is a staple, bear-resistant containers offer an alternative, especially in areas where suitable trees are scarce or where regulations mandate their use. These hard-sided canisters are designed to withstand a bear’s attempts to access your food.
Canister Guidelines
When using a bear canister, choose the right size. Most are available in a variety of sizes. You will need to make sure that your food and all other attractants will fit inside.
Make sure the canister is properly closed. Check that the lid is securely fastened, and follow all manufacturer’s instructions.
Store the container in a designated area. These containers can be safely placed on the ground, but should be away from your campsite.
Best Practices for Success
Choosing the Right Spot
Beyond these techniques, a few best practices can significantly enhance the effectiveness of your food storage efforts. One of the most important is choosing the right location. When selecting a spot to hang your food, avoid areas directly next to your campsite. Ideally, the food storage location should be one hundred yards away from your tents or food prep areas. Make sure that the branch you select is sturdy and will hold the weight.
Packing and Disposal: Minimize Attractants
No matter what method you use, make sure that you store all attractants. This includes all food items, as well as toiletries, trash, and other items that can be attractive to a bear. Any food scraps or trash should be properly disposed of.
Timing Your Storage
Timing and duration are also factors. While hanging your food is important, it’s also critical that you only have it hanging while you are not near the food. You should hang your food before nightfall and take it down in the morning.
Beyond Food Storage: Additional Safety Measures
General Bear Safety: Staying Aware
Beyond the techniques of hanging food, broader bear safety is essential. Knowing how to react during an encounter can dramatically increase your chance of safety. When hiking, make noise, such as talking or singing, to alert bears to your presence. Carry bear spray, which can be used as a deterrent in the event of an encounter. Learn the proper use of bear spray before your trip.
Following Local Rules
Local regulations and recommendations are key to safe wilderness travel. Specific areas may have unique rules for food storage. Before planning your trip, research the regulations and bear safety guidelines that are specific to your destination. Visit the website for the national parks or forests you are visiting, and make sure that you follow all local recommendations.
Ongoing Education
Finally, education and awareness are paramount. The more you know, the better equipped you will be to handle any potential situations. Educate yourself on bear behavior, the types of bears in the area, and best practices for avoiding conflict. Educate others, so that they, too, can play their part in ensuring that the area remains safe.
Conclusion: A Shared Responsibility
In the world of the wilderness, where human and bear territories intersect, we are all bound by a shared responsibility. As we venture into their realm, the most powerful message to be sent is that food isn’t easy to get from humans. So, let’s treat these bears with respect and follow all bear safety protocols to keep the area safe for everyone.
