Bear-Proof Food Storage

[byteheed]

Hey OAUSA-ers,

My brother and I are heading up to Sequoia National Forest this weekend for some offroading, fishing, and backpacking. We’re car camping for a couple nights, then backpacking, then car camping again.

I know bears are a concern in the area and we’re covered with a bear canister for backpacking, but I have no idea what to do with my food while car camping. Will black bears try to get through sheet metal on a car for food? Most Forest Service campgrounds have bear boxes, but we’re planning on dispersed camping to keep away from the crowds (and hopefully close to a stream stuffed with fish).

Thanks for any insight.

[JohnGalt]

complicated question, especially in Sequoia - they have some of the smartest black bears.

For backpacking, you obviously need (required) to have a bear canister. I use the BearVault models because I can see what's in them to find things and because the lid is the full width of the can. In fact, in Kings Canyon, one of the bearvaults is no longer recommended because some bears have actually opened certain models (and they're the best).....

For car camping, if there is no bearbox, your best bet is to keep anything scented, unopened. And then to cover it - they recognize coolers and will open a car to get to one. I usually cover my coolers (and even my fridge) with a towel or blanket. And I never keep any open or scented food in my car - I just don't in bear country. The only one who really suffers in the end is the bear that gets put down. So if you have no bearbox, and no other choice - get something tight and sealed to keep the scents down - then cover it good.

Most of the above could be seen as overkill, but why risk your car and a bear's safety? Better to be a bit overkill (pun intended), rather than under. Especially in our Sierras where there are so many people visiting that the bears have become smarter over the years, and in many cases, unfortunately, more assertive and less afraid.

NOTE: I used to think those pictures in the Yosemite newsletter they give you upon park entrance were the "it happened once and we show it forever" promo/drama pics....but one morning I woke up and saw someone's car window frame peeled back like we peel a banana - that really does happen. I was glad it wasn't me and it had a lasting impression just how strong the bears are. I also had one within 10 feet of me at night by my LandCruiser in Toulomne Meadows and never heard even a twig on the ground crackle.....he and his pal were going campsite to campsite
looking into the cars one by one- I saw him checking out the back window of the LandCruiser while his pal hung out on the camp loop.

[DaveK]

This may help, http://www.ursack.com/ Check out the video.

[byteheed]

Gents,

Thanks for the replies. I had major email server issues at work and ended up so busy Friday before leaving that I didn't get a chance to check this thread! The bearvault is the one we used for backpacking... it's a pretty good design, although that ursack is cool. For car camping, we pretty much followed the common sense advice given. We didn't end up having any problems with bears... just those dreaded giant Sierra ants!

Thanks again.