Raccoon vs Ursack Minor food bag

**old4hats** · 08-10-2012, 08:33

Originally Posted by The_Saint

Cool! Now that raccoon will be encouraged to raid other hikers campsites!

A camp ground Coon is just that. They have no fear of humans, this one posed nicely for a video, and know all the tricks of food theft, so unless he learned something negative I don't think he learned anything at all.

**Ewker** · 08-10-2012, 08:57

Originally Posted by Ewker

thanks for the video. I have an Ursack that I carry all the time now. I don't even bother hanging it anymore. I just make sure I tie it to a tree really well.

well from 1st hand experience I know racoons can get their teeth through the ursack

**tbctx** · 08-10-2012, 10:23

The thing to note is there is TWO types of ursack, the main one thats made to deal with the large dull strong teeth of bears and the ursack minor thats made for the small sharp teeth of raccoons, squirrels and such. A bear will go through the minor like its plastic, and a coon will go through the main one almost as easily, you have to take precautions for the other type of critter.

Edit: O and to borrow the picture from one of the mods before.

**hikingshoes** · 08-10-2012, 10:39

Originally Posted by SkyPainter

Nice work! Might get an Ursack after that vid! I have been using a Garcia Bear Canister. Nothing is getting into that, but it is pretty bulky to lug around. I do have a slew of smell-free plastic bags that I still use inside the canister in the deeper woods.

The Ursack just might meet my needs for a less bulky food storage system. I have had Racoons actually manage to untie the rope when hanging my food! Clever little beasties!

Thanks for the live testing video!!

~ Sky

Thanks!! i love my Ursack Minor and never had a problem with any animal for as that goes... I've hike over 50 miles on the "AT" (which isnt much to alot due to work) and never had a problem but I do hang my food... I use the PCT method which works very well for me.HYOH

**hikingshoes** · 08-10-2012, 10:45

Originally Posted by Ewker

well from 1st hand experience I know racoons can get their teeth through the ursack

Sorry, to hear that but for as my luck I love my Ursack Minor.. I got a friend whos use his URSACK MINOR on his back to back thru-hikes (AT)and never had a problem. He is the one who turned me on to it. I am wondering if you had the knot right or did it just eat through the bag itself?HYOH

**hikingshoes** · 08-10-2012, 10:54

Originally Posted by tbctx

The thing to note is there is TWO types of ursack, the main one thats made to deal with the large dull strong teeth of bears and the ursack minor thats made for the small sharp teeth of raccoons, squirrels and such. A bear will go through the minor like its plastic, and a coon will go through the main one almost as easily, you have to take precautions for the other type of critter.

Edit: O and to borrow the picture from one of the mods before.

Thanks for posting.. Here is the website to Ursack it has all the information you need along with the food bag. Hope this helps you or anyone who has any questions. Thanks once again for your post. HS
http://www.ursack.com/ursack-catalog.htm

**Ewker** · 08-10-2012, 11:28

Originally Posted by tbctx

The thing to note is there is TWO types of ursack, the main one thats made to deal with the large dull strong teeth of bears and the ursack minor thats made for the small sharp teeth of raccoons, squirrels and such. A bear will go through the minor like its plastic, and a coon will go through the main one almost as easily, you have to take precautions for the other type of critter.

I have the ursack not the ursack minor and yes those raccoon teeth will go through it

Originally Posted by hikingshoes

Sorry, to hear that but for as my luck I love my Ursack Minor.. I got a friend whos use his URSACK MINOR on his back to back thru-hikes (AT)and never had a problem. He is the one who turned me on to it. I am wondering if you had the knot right or did it just eat through the bag itself?HYOH

No they didn't eat through the bag. The next morning we notice the bagel had teeth marks in it. when I took everything out and held it up to the light you could see where the teeth went through the material.

**Coil** · 08-18-2012, 01:39

Thanks for posting the video. It convinced me to order one and it arrived today. I plan to hang the Ursack Minor when I camp below tree line. My bear vault will be a dust collector until needed.

**hikingshoes** · 08-18-2012, 09:19

Coil,Thanks for the kind comment and glad i could help. I know things can't be perfect but most of the animals we come across are bears (if we are lucky) and mice and you WILL see them at shelter. I love my Ursack Minor, for as a bear getting my food,lol I don't know anyone who has stoped a bear from getting there food canister or bag.. I say HYOH do alot of research and pick the one you thinks best for your type of hike/camping.HS

**jerzybears** · 08-20-2012, 15:55

Russ and I own the old style Kevlar TKO and a Garcia can. There was a time that you could hang your food in the 'dacks, but rangers were pushing hikers to use the can. I happily explained to one ranger that I had the Ursack and the ranger laughed. He said, sure the bear may not run off with your sack, but he is gonna chew the snot out of it to a point you won't want what's in it later.

:laugh

I am just imagining the condition of those hotdog buns!!!!!

I still bring the ursack but now keep my trash in it.