Is a bear canister needed in NJ / NY in September?
Is a bear canister needed in NJ / NY in September?
You might be the first person ever if you bring one.
"It's fun to have fun, but you have to know how." ---Dr. Seuss
Second at the very least.
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Colorless green ideas sleep furiously.
Needed is a relative term. In NJ every camping area has an installed bear box except for the southermost few miles that are in DWG which allows dispersed camping.
Many, but not all of the campsites in NY have bear boxes as well. The only real issue is Harriman park where they have had habituated bear issues the last couple of years. Fingerboard Shelter in particular had a bear frequently visiting that would steal poorly hung bags and unattended food. I’m not sure if this is still an issue this year.
Colorless green ideas sleep furiously.
I saw a not from the NJ/NY Trail Conference that they are recommended. I have access to canisters from friends but now think unnecessary.
Thanks for the assists
New York State recommends bear canisters pretty much everywhere, but few hikers bother with them. The only place in NY where they're legally required is the part of High Peaks Wilderness Area lying east of the ridge line of Nye, Street, MacNaughton, Panther and Santanoni Mountains. (That now include the Boreas Ponds tract and the former Dix Mountain Wilderness.)
Harriman has problem bears, and sooner or later canisters are likely to be required there legally, but it hasn't happened yet.
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