View Full Version : What all should go in a critter bag?
Earl Grey
09-03-2006, 18:35
Obviously food should go in one to hang up in a tree but what about other items? Some people say scented things? What qualifies as something thats "scented"?
I went by how aggresive the reports saod bears were. In the Smokies, Shenandoah and NJ I put everything down to my toothpaste that smelled remotely attractive into my bear bag. Other bearish areas I just put my food in, areas with no bears I often kept my breakfast poptarts next to my sleeping bag in double ziplocks and once or twice I kept my whole food bad in the tent.
In a hike I just made south from Yosemite, where the bears are quite active, all I kept out were my VERY nonscented uninviting dish soap, DEET and some medication. Everything with odor else went in the bear canister.
SGT Rock
09-05-2006, 11:15
Food. I also sometimes put other kitchen things in it. Never seen bear problems with that BUT...
I have seen deer chew a guys boots and mice chew a pack. I would take more care with those things ;)
Just to make you paranoid. :D
What qualifies as something thats "scented"?
Sunscreen, vitamins (mine really stink), bug spray, toothpaste, soap, cook pot, etc...
Footslogger
09-05-2006, 11:28
The word that comes to mind is "Smellables". Things with a detectable odor (non-human) are subject to inspection by the local wildlife. Not saying that an animal will actually raid/eat the stuff but there have been some pretty wild reports of even batteries getting chewed on.
Personally, I draw the line at edible food products. I do not hang my hygeine stuff or first aid kit. But as a standard practice I do hang my food bag and I place all snacks inside for the night.
Might be overkill but all it takes is a single episode. Not that big of a deal to hang the food bag at night. Why tempt fate.
'Slogger
Lone Wolf
09-05-2006, 11:30
Everything stays in my tent with me.
LostInSpace
09-05-2006, 11:34
I have seen deer chew a guys boots and mice chew a pack. I would take more care with those things ;)
Deer may go after anything that contains salt ... e.g., the sweat in you boots, your pack shoulder straps, shorts you have hanging on a bush to dry, and that patch of grass where you just took a piss. :D Out West, I have seen mule deer become habituated to hanging out near occupied campsites for just this reason ... the salt rather than any food left unprotected.
SGT Rock
09-05-2006, 11:37
I've told this to friends that are hunters too. I often see deer in camp licking where hikers relieve themselves. They wouldn't believe me, said that deer are afraid of humans and their scent. I think it is the people that sell scent masking junk that tell them this ;)
Big Dawg
09-05-2006, 11:43
Everything stays in my tent with me.
Same here. If anyone/anything wants my food bag,, they gotta deal w/ me. I've never had a problem. I probably scare most critters away w/ the loud snoring.:eek:
I only sleep w/ my food bag in the appalachians. Out west, I'd hang.
This is the first I have heard others mention deer sniffing where you took a leak, but it happened to me once in the Nantahala NF. Not even five minutes went by when a deer came into camp and sniffed right there. But as far as the question, I bear bag my food here in Florida. Not for the bears which are rare except for a few areas, but for mice and racoons. You could wake up in the morning with a ripped open pack if you don't.
Skidsteer
09-05-2006, 21:22
I've told this to friends that are hunters too. I often see deer in camp licking where hikers relieve themselves. They wouldn't believe me, said that deer are afraid of humans and their scent. I think it is the people that sell scent masking junk that tell them this ;)
Years ago I was an avid deer hunter.
I've actually done some experimenting just for kicks and found that deer will usually stop to check out a spot that's been recently pi$$ed on.
:rolleyes:
Years ago I was an avid deer hunter.
I've actually done some experimenting just for kicks and found that deer will usually stop to check out a spot that's been recently pi$$ed on.
:rolleyes:
the deer will lick the area to get the salt
What all should go in a critter bag?
Food goes in a food bag.
Water goes in a water bottle.
Isn't it obvious what goes in a critter bag?
I usually just put food in mine, but thats only in the Smokies and other places with problem bears. When I hike in southern VA or in GA I rarely even bother to hang a bag or if I do I just hang it out reach for mice.
Blissful
09-06-2006, 18:28
I have seen deer chew a guys boots and mice chew a pack. I would take more care with those things ;)
Just to make you paranoid. :D
Yeah in the Whites something chewed through two of the hoses on our playtpus water bags. I never leave them on the picnic table any more.
And mice chewed the nosepads to my glasses at Harpers Creek shelter in VA. I didn't have them in a case (dumb).
Live and learn.