what a way to wake up...not

**Timberrr** · 06-06-2012, 13:37

Originally Posted by Teegs

This brings to mind a question I've had for a little while now. When you're out hanging, what types of bear protections do you implement?

There are the obvious ones like, hanging your food and smellables AWAY from camp.

But there's a few other provisions that I have practiced/heard about/seen people use.

Namely:

A) Pitch tent/hang a decent ways AWAY from where you cook/have your camp fire.

B) Don't sleep in the same clothes you cook in.

C) I knew one guy who went so far as to set up a trip wire for early notification.

D) Never camp alone.

E) Bring a dog.

F) Profit

Anti bear weaponry is not the subject of my question. Guns and mace don't PREVENT bear encounters.

Profit??
How much are we charging these guys. Nothing worse than a charging bear. Poor guys, they can bearly make ends meet now - and you want to profit from them?!

**Donkeyhiker** · 06-06-2012, 13:44

I dont have to run faster than the bear, I just have to run faster than you

**MAD777** · 06-06-2012, 14:05

@Teegs

I only boil water for freezer bag cooking and I don't even do that near my hammock. Bears are a good reason to chose freezer bag cooking over frying bacon.

"Don't hike alone" would that be because your odds of getting eaten are at least 50/50?

**Teegs** · 06-06-2012, 14:16

Originally Posted by Timberrr

Profit??
How much are we charging these guys. Nothing worse than a charging bear. Poor guys, they can bearly make ends meet now - and you want to profit from them?!

Ah, I think its a southpark joke.

Originally Posted by MAD777

@Teegs

I only boil water for freezer bag cooking and I don't even do that near my hammock. Bears are a good reason to chose freezer bag cooking over frying bacon.

"Don't hike alone" would that be because your odds of getting eaten are at least 50/50?

The logic behind "don't hike alone" is pretty straight foreword - strength in numbers, increased noise to alert any animals to your presence BEFORE you step on them, etc. Not to mention, someone to save your butt should misfortune become you.

Don't get me wrong, I think soloing is fine, but if it were me I suspect I'd have increased vigilance for my surroundings. Don't ask me to quantify this though.

**AT4ever** · 06-06-2012, 14:22

I wonder if vegetarians are less delectible to bears? I hope I don't have to find that out by being 'mouthed' by one of those hairy beasts.

**Owl** · 06-06-2012, 14:31

I have a great solution to the bear problem...I live in Kansas!

No self-respecting bear would ever come to where I live and hang at!

Now...cougars are apparently a different story. Last time I was at my favorite campspot, the land-owners next door to the park just had to come by and mention that they'd seen a mountain lion just about a mile down the road a few months prior!

My best predator deterrent? I'm like a fish...I camp when there's usually tons of other choices out there...gives me better odds personally.

**mountain_man_mike** · 06-06-2012, 14:42

Originally Posted by AT4ever

I hope I don't have to find that out by being 'mouthed' by one of those hairy beasts.

That sounds like a spring break thing gone very, VERY wrong.

**Les Rust** · 06-06-2012, 14:45

Ewker, was this at the campground or up on the AT? I know that the Cosby Knob Shelter is closed right now due to bear activity. This sounds like a bear down around the campground that has gotten too accustomed to people and their provisions. Around the GSMNP there are signs that ask folks "Did you kill this bear?" The gist being that those who do not take reasonable precautions with food are the ones who invite bears into closer encounters than are healthy for them. There is a big difference between bears that hang out at campgrounds and those that are further up in the woods.

**FLRider** · 06-06-2012, 14:50

Originally Posted by mountain_man_mike

That sounds like a spring break thing gone very, VERY wrong.

As far as I know (and this may be an urban myth), it's still illegal to "molest a trash receptacle" within the city bounds of Daytona.

On a more serious note, that's why I try to cook at least a hundred yards from the hammock unless I'm staying in a developed campground; I figure that a developed campground is going to smell like food regardless of me due to the previous occupants.