Do I need a bear canister from Springer to Dicks Creek?
I'll be going in October and want to get one if need be.
Well my bad, I've read a few more threads and it seems I will need a bc. Sounds like lots of bear activity going on.
You won't need one. This Spring the US Forrest Service decided to cure all the bear problems once and for all by making a rule that hikers who camp in the 5 mile section from Jarred Gap to Neels Gap, must have bear proof containers for food. This Forrest Service action was a ploy to get the train on the tracks so to speak, so they can expand it to more areas in the future. It's an act of desperation. Of course this won't have anything to do with the number of bear incidents in the area. The sporting goods manufacturing lobby pressured them into it. Sales are up. There is a set of steel bear cables at each shelter along your route to hang your food. If you decide to camp away from shelters you should bring 50 feet of light rope and hang your food bag, and don't camp in that 5 mile section. I have seen it many times, the majority of hikers don't use the bear cables or even hang their food. In the past the Forrest Service just issued advice to hang your food, after that did not work, they had the bear cables built. Now they are going to try to enforce a new rule to use these special containers. This is all us hikers fault. By our bad behavior we are training the bears to come to the camping areas and get fed by the humans. This area of Georgia gets a growing number of young people out for the weekend who may or may not know the rules. Some will feed the bears on purpose. This can only end in some hiker getting hurt and a bunch of bears getting killed.
What Moldy said, but I might add, there are a lot of bears in the area, both before and after Neels Gap. There is an area about ten miles north of Neels Gap that is ideal bear habitat; lots of caves, etc. If you stop at a site with some garbage, don't waste your time setting up. Move on to a cleaner place. As best I can tell, there are a lot of groups going through this area and a few of the groups aren't aware you aren't supposed to leave candy bar wrappers, etc. all over the place.
The bear canister rule is only in effect between Jarrard Gap and Neel Gap during the busy Spring hiker season March 1 and June 1.Originally Posted by Altarboy
For now the rule will be in effect during the time period until 2016.
The notice:
http://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/conf/n...TELPRDB5351877
The law:
http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_...rdb5351875.pdf
You don’t need God—to hope, to care, to love, to live.
Really? Sounds like a conspiracy theory to me.
Pain is a by-product of a good time.
Good advice.Thanks Guys
Posting Permissions
Reply With Quote