How to Hang a Bear Bag - Backpacking Food Storage - CleverHiker.com

[@DecideOutside]

Fantastic production value, and great information. Thank you for taking the time to share! I never thought about using a stick to put distance from the tree branch from my bag. Nice!

[@twentyonetwelve2179]

The part about opening up all of the pockets on your gear is true. I have had chipmunks tear through my pack when I was only 20 feet away.

[@ShariLashawn]

Great video...I've used the PCT method in the past but I am also considering the odor resistant bags used for food storage. I've looked at some products online for industrial storage that could be modified for camp use. I plan on trying it out in the spring. I hope it works because I like to keep all of my gear together for easy access!

[@naomif6268]

Hi Shari, How did your industrial modifications work out?

[@tangolima_]

The Ursack design isn’t well thought out. Water gets in through the drawstrings. Wonder if it’s worth putting ursack in a dry bag

[@iamcondescending]

We have an Ursac that we hung like a bear bag last time we went back country... Might use that carabiner trick you demonstrated this year.

[@jamowallace]

Awesome info, your vids are very informative and inspirational to a rookie like me! Thanks for sharing!

[@hgva76]

Thanks a lot for this video! Best one on the net!

[@survivortechharold6575]

A sock works fine for throwing line over a tree limb. Just add a few stones or one larger one.

[@TomsBackwoods]

Great job Dave! Its The Ursack for me!

[@PREPFORIT]

Great info ! I forget about those lil critters and focus to much on securing the bear bag...

[@TunaTheMiner]

Another awesome video!

[@shaneschannel9289]

Thanks for this video! I did not know that many places required canisters. Being turned back for lack of a canister could really ruin a carefully planned trip. As far as the bag, I can not imagine that stopping a bear. I gotta see that (more than once) to believe it.

[@CleverHiker]

shanes channel Thanks!

[@PaleoHikerMD]

Love the video, thanks!

[@CleverHiker]

PaleoHikerMD Thanks!

[@jackhammer111]

a black bears sence of smell is many times better than the best bloodhound. clean you cooking and eating utensils away from your campsite, clean them well. I always put them in the bag I was hanging. I would eat away from my tent or sleeping bag. If you spill food on your clothes move them away from the campsite. If you need a snack move away from your campsite. Make sure there's no wrappers or food trash anywhere near you when you turn in. wash your face and hands. I'd even go over under the bear bag and brush my teeth. Bears noses and of course, if you hear bears trying to get your food stay where you are. Don't get curious. Stay put and don't make a sound. If you hear the bear approach, abandon your campsite. Once in Yosemite I saw a bear tear the door off of a van to get food that some numbskull had left inside. The van was parked about 20 or 30 yards away from the food lockers. I think peanut butter is their favorite food.

[@CarolynHiggins]

Great Video. Thanks!

[@CleverHiker]

Carolyn Higgins You're very welcome!

[@Erin-Thor]

Mothballs help keep pests away. Bring a baggy inside a baggy.

[@chrisdaniel8306]

Another great video, Thanks for sharing. (nice website btw)

[@CleverHiker]

chriss daniell Thanks Chriss! I appreciate the shout out about the website. I'm definitely trying my best to put good info out there. Have a good one!

[@swoopingdownin]

Should I store the bag I'm using for trash in my bear bag as well?

[@CleverHiker]

Connor Lawrence Great question. Yup. It smells just like food and it will peak a bear's curiosity.

[@swoopingdownin]

Dave Collins thank you!

[@twentyonetwelve2179]

YES

[@canyonoverlook9937]

This is why I like Switzerland and Zion. Less worry. Are there any areas in Southern Utah that would require a bear bag or if not required they still should be used? I think there are bears near Bryce. I just hiked in the main amphitheater at Bryce, not in the backcountry around Bryce.

[@canyonoverlook9937]

+Elizabeth Dennis Do you live near Zion? There are no bears in Zion's main canyon, but there are some in the Bryce back county. I heard a notice about bear activity on the Bryce radio station while I was driving into the park. Where do you usually hike in southern Utah?

[@jsyren1]

Do you bag your cook set and stove as well?

[@CleverHiker]

+Jack Syren Unless it's very clean, yes I do. Cook sets often have bits of food on them. Very good point.

[@jonnyjazz1]

Hey Dave, do you suggest storing packged freeze dried meals and other pre-cooked foods such as brand name energy bars along with the scented stuff? Eg. Clif bars, uncle ben's rice, freeze dried meals from store etc.

[@CleverHiker]

Yup, if it smells like food, you're going to want to store it.

[@twentyonetwelve2179]

Bears / other animals can smell THROUGH palstic and mylar.

[@whiteboy2600]

thank you

[@CleverHiker]

You're welcome!

[@keithbassett007]

What do you do with the excess rope you have with the first method? Tie it up high to another tree like the second example?

[@CleverHiker]

+Keith Bassett You can do that or just let it hang there. I often just let it hang, but I think if you wanted maximum protection you'd tie it up so bears couldn't yank on it.

[@MrJx4000]

I just hang my whole backpack, with food and everything else, just before I go to sleep. Don't bring any food or toiletry items into or near my tent ever.

[@CleverHiker]

I've seen that strategy work before, but I've also seen some really poorly hung bear bags like that. It can be hard to hang your full pack high enough because it's so heavy to pull up the rope. Just my two cents.

[@MrJx4000]

Yes, they could be heavy and hard to pull up, but I use a separate suspension rope that hangs two-single-sheave pulleys; i.e., a simple block-and-tackle arrangement. This adds a bit of weight but no big deal. Tried it out many times before and during a backcountry hike--works good.

[@pbr2424]

Just hang the backpack.

[@DrBlackApple]

I will use the Ursac. My only worry is that it doesn't look like it'd be good against bears or larger animals. Will it?

[@CleverHiker]

+DrBlackApple Yup, it's rated to keep food away from bears and larger animals. It's super tough. Your food inside may get mashed around (they do have some shields to protect against this), but the bear will not be able to get at it.

[@Muscle462Memory]

yup, Kevlar. it's what they make bullet-proof vests out of

[@ariyaelle]

Does the bag used to store food have to be bear proof, or just any weather proof bag?

[@CleverHiker]

For bear bagging the bag doesn't need to be bear proof, just hung properly. We find that waterproof stuff sacks work best for this. If you want to hang the bag lower within reach of animals, get an ursack. Hope that helps.

[@ariyaelle]

Dave Collins Thank you, the explanation helps! My son is going backpacking for boys scouts & they asked him to bring a bear bag. Appreciate your input!

[@DisorderedUniverse]

what brand of down jacket is that and how much does it weigh?

[@CleverHiker]

***** My Jackets page has all of my faves - www.cleverhiker.com/jackets/ That's the Patagonia UL down hoodie. It's a great pick.

[@rampart6557]

Behold the Back Country Wisdom.

[@whiteboy2600]

what if your camping in your vehicle could you store food in the vehicle to?

[@CleverHiker]

Yup. That's a good place as well.

[@whiteboy2600]

Even if I camp for 4 days & cook in my camping area in the bush were bears are around or should I cook my food away from my camp??

[@CleverHiker]

If you keep your food secure you should be good to go. The problem arises when there are problem bears in the area. Say, if tourists feed bears in national parks and then the bears start to associate humans with food. Then they might try to break into cars to get food. But that's an extremely rare case. Most of the time bears will stay away from humans, even if there is food smell in the air. So, keep your food secure and there is a very high likelihood that you'll be totally fine. There's a higher chance of humans messing with your car than bears.

[@whiteboy2600]

im going why out in the bush to target shot & taken my dog with me planning on a 4 day or so

[@redwhiteblue7831]

Some people can't afford expensive gear... have you ever done a challenge where you only have $500 for gear, if it's on sale you'd have to use the full price

[@CleverHiker]

Good point, and an idea worth exploring. Thanks!

[@js5072]

Psh, I can get everything you need for backpacking for under $250 no problem.

[@scrapgrace]

Bugspray is attractive to animals? Sheeeeesh

[@scrapgrace]

Yes yes, I know it's just bug...

[@NickSerritella]

Crown Royal sack works best as a stuff sack. Other than that, good instruction

[@obidamnkenobi]

Ursack will do nothing to stop rodents, seems like a major drawback to me. Plus if a bear does get it all your food will likely be smashed up, and potentially aborting your trip. Not appealing to me for these reasons

[@mjw9928]

That and they can carry it away. They can't pick up and carry a bear canister.

[@MarkyMark845]

Who is taking a jar of Nutella on a legitimate backpacking trip? 🤣