bear-proof containers
"The measure runs until June and involves a five mile section of trail between Jarrard and Neels Gaps."
so if you stay at woods hole or blood mtn. they expect you to buy an $80 canister. i'll just sleep with my chow as usual
Sounds like the best way
Is this a safe way of keeping the bears/mice away? I plan on tenting and keeping pack in tent seems like it would be easier than hanging food bag. Will mice chew through tent wall to get in if you are far enough away from shelters? Any bear I ever saw was scared of me, but guess it is different when you don't have a gun and they are used to people.
Originally Posted by Lone Wolf
Yes. I've seen it happen stealth camping.
Is it impractical to just walk through this area and camp on either side?
"It's fun to have fun, but you have to know how." ---Dr. Seuss
No. . . . . . .
Could I trouble you to explain your "no"
No problemo. The affected area is Trail mile 26.7 to 31.7. Included in this area are the potential campsites at Woods Hole Shelter, Bird Gap, Slaughter Creak and Blood Mountain Shelter. Stop short at Lance Creek (24.3) or go on to hostel @ Neel Gap or on to Bull Gap Spring (32.9). Last year there was bear activity at Slaughter creek, one family lost there well hung food, a couple of guys lost there food who were camped short of Blood Mountain and the bear actually went into the Blood Mountain shelter, all on the same night.
I was camped next to the guy a Slaughter Creek who lost his food. I was sleeping with mine.
Familiar scenario. For 35 years I have slept with my food in a tent, under a tarp, cowboy camping and hammock hanging. Never had a bear problem. LW and others do the same.The only hikers I know that have lost their food to bears had hung their food. Maybe the FS should just require that all hiker should sleep with their food.
I am not young enough to know everything.
no............
There's no reason you cant hike thru this area without camping.
I'm getting ready for all the "How do I carry a bear container in my pack?" threads.
Or even better....... "How long does cheese stay fresh in a bear container?"
"Fish Camp Woman.... Baby, I like the way you smell"
- Unknown Hinson
Mark my words, the bear is going to be between Levelland and Cowrock next time, same thing will happen and that section will close to camping for a while and/or they will extend this bear container provision to that section of trail. Would not surprise me if they decide as a precaution to start including additional sections going forward.
"Come on sunshine, what can you show me
Where can you take me to make me understand
The wind can shake me, brothers forsake me
The rain can touch me, but can I touch the rain" - Gordon Lightfoot
Hungry bears can walk 5 miles up the Trail. Instead of fixing the problem, this only relocates it. How large of a range does a black bear have anyway?
To the Internets!!!
http://www.americanbear.org/Habitat%...me%20Range.htm
Male 8 - 60 square miles
Female 1 - 15 square miles
2012 NOBO - April start date
Follow me here: Here, There, and Everywhere
So whats the problem and how would you fix it?
This likely will not be a heavy-handed enforcement strategy at first, the forest service has to understand that this isn't the best time to roll-out something like this, but there never really is a good time. Untill the outfitters have a chance to set up an easy rental system (like there is all over the place where canisters are required) i suspect there will be a lot of warnings given out.
This is better in my mind than a general camping ban, at least folks have the opportunity to stay there if they want to.
As far as the Ursack goes, I'm guessing that this was not an oversight, but that the wording was carefully selected to be accurate. I'm guessing that if you have a Ursack and you encounter a Ranger, that they will thank you for being a conscientious protector of wilderness.
Fact of the matter is that people are a problem up there; fires in shelters, trash, fire rings, bear behavior. Too many folk were not acting their age and we all suffered as a result. I bet many hikers will understand this and either carry a can or change their schedule. Its the "goofers" that will have a problem with this and will incur the punishment.
Requiring bear canisters for a five mile section ain't gonna achieve crap. Even if there's 100% compliance on the 5 mile section the problem bear(s) will just move up or down the line a little.
Of course there's probably gonna be another "bear" problem: FS rangers hanging out close to Neels Gap handing out citations.
Don't argue with idiots. They'll drag you down to their level and beat you with experience.
Yeah the bears will move but the regulations wont at least not this year. And I think most hikers are more worried about a fine than a bear attack.Requiring bear canisters for a five mile section ain't gonna achieve crap. Even if there's 100% compliance on the 5 mile section the problem bear(s) will just move up or down the line a little.
Of course there's probably gonna be another "bear" problem: FS rangers hanging out close to Neels Gap handing out citations.
Primarily, this is not intended to have an impact on the BEARS, this is intended to have an impact on the PEOPLE that affect the bears. So what will this achieve? What its intended too, people will be presented with the fact that negative impacts on wildlife from humans who are actin' a fool is a serious problem and the people who are charged with managing wildlife are going to respond accordingly.Requiring bear canisters for a five mile section ain't gonna achieve crap. Even if there's 100% compliance on the 5 mile section the problem bear(s) will just move up or down the line a little.
Of course there's probably gonna be another "bear" problem: FS rangers hanging out close to Neels Gap handing out citations.
You think the bears will move? probably but blood has been the best place for them to eat people food because of the range of people that use it. If they move away from blood they will be moving to a place that does not see the wide range of users and therefore it may not be as easy to get food.
Less people go to Cowrock than blood mountain and a higher percentage of Cowrock's visitors are thru-hikers who are "seeking a fellowship with wilderness" right?
They could do the same thing the TSA does when going through airport screening- have a whole bunch of containers at one end, grab one, then drop it off at the other end when your done with the section. Hire somebody to shuttle the empty containers to the start point.
Heck, we could probably get a Federal grant and call it a Jobs Creation Program. Yeehaw!!
"Fish Camp Woman.... Baby, I like the way you smell"
- Unknown Hinson
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