Mice, chipmunks, squirrels, and marmots can gnaw a hole in the side of a tent in minutes, and bears can rip open the side of a tent with one swipe of their claws. Also, once an animal has discovered the presence of potential food through their sense of smell, thin tent fabrics present a minor physical barrier to them. All wildlife have a much more sensitive sense of smell than humans and, since tents are not air-tight, they can pick up the scent of any food or any other scented item stored in a tent. Tents only present a visual barrier to wildlife, but most terrestrial wildlife find food using their sense of smell. Wildlife can be active any time of day, including bears. Keeping food or toiletries in a tent, whether at night while sleeping or left unattended during the day, including leaving food in your tent or around camp while gone on a day-hike or while fishing. Improper food or trash storage can also result in a federal citation.Įxamples of UNSAFE or illegal food storage include: Canisters that are available through the Park Service have been tested on bears and approved for use by the Park's bear biologist.Īny improper practices can result in property damage, loss of food, or personal injury to yourself or to parties visiting the area later. Food canisters are available free of charge for loan at the Wilderness Information Center and some other Ranger Stations. Since trees with large limbs are not always present, this technique can require some time and ingenuity.įood canister: This is an excellent alternative to a food hang. Hang the food, garbage, cooking gear, and other scented items (such as toothpaste, deodorant, soap, sunblock, etc.) at least 12 feet (3 m) above the ground and 5 feet (1.5 m) out from the limb and from the tree trunk. Help protect yourself, your gear, and all wildlife by using one of these methods to store your food properly:įood hang: bring a waterproof sack dedicated to food and garbage storage and at least 50 feet (15m) of lightweight cord on your camping trip. While this food bag was hung the proper distance from the tree trunk (5 ft/ 1.5m), it is not hung sufficiently high enough (10 ft / 3m). If you can stand under a food hang and touch the bag a large black bear standing on its hind legs can also reach your food. The following cross-country zones require canisters for all or portions of the zones:Īllowed food canister models include those available for loan at Ranger Stations - Bear Vault Models BV450 & BV500, Backpackers Cache Model 812, any Bearikade model, Ursack Major - and any product tested and approved by the Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee listed here.įor comments, questions or concerns, please contact the Wilderness Information Center at (360) 854-7245 or send an email.Īn example of improper food storage. The following backcountry camps require canisters: Food storage requirements for the remainder of the Park Complex stays the same: all food and scented items must be hung (minimum 12 feet off the ground, 5 feet from any tree limb or trunk) or stored in an allowed hard-sided canister or park-provided food storage locker. Beckwith NOTICE OF FOOD CANISTER REQUIREMENT FOR SOME BACKCOUNTRY LOCATIONSįood canisters are required for camping at certain camps and zones between June 1 and November 15 every year, see below. This bear track was seen 200 yds from the lower bivy area in Boston Basin.
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