To hang bear bags or not to hang bear bags when backcountry hunting.

[dannyb278]

Looking for some advice. Me and a buddy are heading out to bow hunt elk in Southern Wyoming, in a area where black bears are present. We'll be hiking in away from the truck for a few days.

We'll be packing in typical backcountry food ie; Mountain House (or the like) meals and prepackaged foods.

Do you think taking the time to hang food in a bear bag every day is necessary, or would you risk just keeping your packaged foods in your tent?

Thanks.

 

[gwhunter]

I've always been curious about this too. I'll be in the southern 1/2 of the Wyoming Range (is that where you'll be?) this year and even wondered about the rare chance of a grizzly in that area and if that changes anything with respect to bear bags/hanging the freeze dried food?

 

[ccc23454]

Always hang it if any bears (black or brown) also helps with rodents which can be at times way more aggressive. A little prevention can go a long ways towards preventing real problems.

 

[kwyeewyk]

I find rodents to be as good a reason to hang food as bears, sucks to have all your food and possibly pack and tent get chewed up by the little bastards.

 

[Straight Arrow]

"Bear Aware" rule is always hang food or secure in a sealed bear-proof canister away from where you sleep. Bears have a hyper sensitive smelling ability, as do rodents.

 

[Dougfirtree]

Do it. It’s so easy and it has many benefits/few downsides.

 

[crock239]

Hang it. Good practice.

Plus, tossing a rock-filled ditty bag for the 12th time trying to loop it over the damn tree limb is just part of elk hunting.

 

[perma]

What would be the other option if you were not to hang it?

 

[Deez Nutz]

I'm surprised to see that every single person here hangs their food every time no matter what. I never do and have never had any hint of an issue but

 

[Forkyfinder]

I'm surprised to see that every single person here hangs their food every time no matter what. I never do and have never had any hint of an issue but

Playing with fire in grizz areas imho.

 

[Schaaf]

Hang it. It’s not if you’ll get messed with, it’s when.

 

[hank4elk]

I always hung bags when in bear country.
I would upgrade to new cans, like my bro did. Saved his ass several times in the Sierra's & CO.

 

[David58]

Hang it. Good practice.

Plus, tossing a rock-filled ditty bag for the 12th time trying to loop it over the damn tree limb is just part of elk hunting.

For me, it's a rock on a string trying to get my radio-crazy friend's antenna in the air...

 

[Carl 9.3x62]

Playing with fire in grizz areas imho.

Southern WY isn't grizzly country. I wouldn't bother hanging it.

 

[rjthehunter]

What would be the other option if you were not to hang it?

Store it in your buddies tent, duh

 

[theat]

I’m less worried about bears while I am in camp than bears or any number of other critters eating my food and destroying my gear to get at my food while I am not around. I’ve had mice and packrats eat holes in my tent, backpack, sleeping pad, sleeping bag, dry bags, packraft, life jacket and boots both while asleep and while away from camp. I’ve had a wolf knock over my teepee and steal my friends brand new sleeping bag. That was day 2 of an 10 day packraft moose hunt in Alaska. Thankfully I found it a couple hundred yards down a bear trail and we were able to patch it up with some tyvek tape.

Other friends have had bears destroy their camp. One guy I know even had his tent completely trampled and chewed up by mountain goats. I’m practically paranoid about it anymore and don’t leave anything on the ground at night or while away from camp. Sometimes I even pack up my sleeping setup and hang it in a drybag.

 

[Dougfirtree]

Do it. It’s so easy and it has many benefits/few downsides.

Around here, you can be ticketed for leaving food out. And some areas require a canister instead of hanging. I think it’s important to note that it’s not just protecting your stuff/food/safety. You’re protecting the bears, ultimately.

 

[Jbills]

Never done it but unless it’s rodent proof I’d hang it anyway

 

[Deerhunter6250]

I use to keep food in my tent and then my partner had a black bear get in his tent mid day and eat the food so I hang it every time now.

 

[gwhunter]

So what bags are you all using?? A quick Google search gives a wide swath of bear bags. Anyone have a favorite go-to bag?