Black Bears & Hammocks

[RedBadger]

Howdy all,

Going to be venturing into the north woods this spring and had a couple questions.

Has anybody had any experiences/stories with Black bears and Hammock camping?

Any tips other then don't take an open snickers bar laying on my chest as I drift off.

Never really worried about it when I tent camped before but It will be my first hammock swing in the woods.

Thanks for the info erverbuddy!

[Mountain Gout]

A tent wouldn't stop a curious bear either.. If they want in something , they will get in for sure.. Just don't keep anything they like by your person..

[yooz85]

a t**t gives you a false sense of security. you will be fine just store food and smelly things safely.

[The Old Boot]

I've never been able to understand why people feel safer in a tent than in a hammock. The tent material, even old canvas tents, is like tissue paper when it comes to sharp claws.

And when it comes right down to it, unzipping a tent door to flee is no harder than unzipping a bug net.

Keep a clean campsite, do your cooking away from your tent, hang your food (and other smelly stuff) PROPERLY and at a reasonable distance, clean your fish across the lake. I emphasize the 'properly' because I can't begin to tell you how many campers I've seen being lazy with their hangs. Me, cause I throw worse than a girl, I bought a bear barrel. It goes with me unless I'm camping with others that CAN throw a rope.

Me, I'll take a comfortable bed that I'll probably sleep through a bear exploring the kitchen area of the campsite before I'd sleep on the ground thinking that I'm safe.

If it's a worry, hang your bear spray from the ridgeline.

[RedBadger]

A tent wouldn't stop a curious bear either.. If they want in something , they will get in for sure.. Just don't keep anything they like by your person..

a t**t gives you a false sense of security. you will be fine just store food and smelly things safely.

they do give that sense, and that's why I never thought of it before. I was hoping to not use my tarp too much either( unless absolutely needed ). something about sleeping under the stars in the open air is needed during this trip.

Thanks

[RedBadger]

If it's a worry, hang your bear spray from the ridgeline.

I don't think it's a worry more than I have heard hundreds of stories / tips from tent campers but not many from hangers.

[MAD777]

Do everything that you know you should be doing in the woods to discourage bears or any other critters from eating your dinner, and whatever you do, don't dream about bear burritos or bear pinatas. (just kidding!)

[overthinker]

From what I understand, black bears are generally wimps. They stumble into people territory drawn by the smell of food, soap, etc., and don't notice the trembling people watching them from over the collars of their sleeping bags. Then someone gets the courage up to yell at the bear, it gets spooked and runs off.So, if you do get face to face with one, just raise a racket and get all big and mean looking - and don't run unless charged, cause then you're prey.

Then again, the only wild bear I've ever seen was the one I almost ran into with my car in the middle of a town in Maine. So take my advice with a grain of salt.

[OneClick]

I was spending 3 days by myself hiking thru Hoist Lakes area (in Alcona County, MI) last fall. It was October and the fall colors were AMAZING! Perfect weather in the 50's-60 daytime, 25-30 at night.

The first night I stopped to camp near North Noist Lake. The sun was about down but had about 45 minutes of light left so I walked down to the water to filter some for the night and morning coffee. When I looked up, I saw a black bear about 50yards away getting his evening drink too!

Very uncomfortable feeling to start the trip. But they're usually very timid and bolt at the sight of a human. I quickly got my iPhone out and took a few pics and video. It was cool to see him run up the hill and disappear into the brush, while seeing a trail of thrashing trees marking his location.

The next day I was hiking to a new location and after a couple miles I saw a black bear running full speed thru the woods crossing the trail about 75 yards in front of me.

[Sleepytime Gorilla Sack]

There is a Sow in my Nicolet National stomping grounds I run into periodically over the years. A few years ago bow hunting I had her at arms length while I stood there in a gille. Felt like a eternity.

As stated: Keep your cook gear and food tightly bagged and hung/isolated with the rest of your unused nightly bag/gear. If the food stuff is contained your special scent will do more to keep them away...although I have had [watched] them follow my trail/scent. Just be cautious in season where the sows have cubs along.

Agreed, hammock/tarp will be no different then a tent. If they think there is opportunity for food and are hungry they are going to "open" the shelter. Black Bears would be low on my list of potential worries.