Why I HATE Ursacks | Food Storage in Bear Country

It's important to store your food properly when you're in bear country, and Ursacks are one of the options in some areas. However, this is my least favorite option. Here I will share why.
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[@WanderingSwitchback]

If you're already a subscriber, thank you!! If you haven't yet subscribed, please consider supporting this channel by subscribing. Comments, likes and shares all help as well! Share these videos so that we can get the word out, and help more people enjoy the outdoors safely and responsibly. Join this channel to get access to perks: kzbin.info/door/N6KyhgPUyhxeDk0sVngYJAjoin I also have a Patreon! www.patreon.com/wanderingswitchback

[@robertbudinski4849]

Have used an Ursack for many years. Had a bear try to get it on the PCT without success. Ursack was VERY reliable, no food was damaged in spite of the bear clawing for about 5 minutes. Have carried it for over 10,000 trail miles

[@WanderingSwitchback]

I'm glad you've had good luck with it!

[@Vweebs]

I appreciate you sharing your thoughts and experiences here on KZbin. Do you have any recommendations for finding likeminded people to go backpacking with in CA. I don’t have any friends that are into it.

[@WanderingSwitchback]

Hi! Check out Meetup.com and some of the local Facebook groups. I know some of the ones near me do group hikes often, and I've run into a Sacramento Meetup group on a backpacking trip before. You could also connect with your closest REI and see if they have any groups or suggestions that are more local to you. I hope that helps!

[@johnplink]

Starting at 4:58 you say to click on this video to see what should go in the bear canister. Where exactly are we to click?

[@WanderingSwitchback]

Thank you!! I fixed it! 😊

[@johnplink]

@@WanderingSwitchback Thank you! I'm planning a cross-country bike trip in which I will be riding through the grizzly country for the first time. johnlinkbikingadventures.blogspot.com/2024/03/planning-cross-country-2024-update.html

[@candacetoms4927]

I keep thinking about getting an ursack for the weight savings, but I can’t justify the cost just yet. I love my bear canister, even though it’s heavy. I recently went on a trip where bear lockers were available, but the one at the campground we stayed at was damn near overflowing, so I was glad I had my canister and could just set it on top of the locker. Most of the time, I’m actually more worried about rodents getting to my food than bears. I don’t necessarily trust the ursack in that department, but my canister is a sure bet. I would love to learn how to do a proper bear hang, though.

[@WanderingSwitchback]

There's definitely some solid peace of mind with a canister, despite the weight! Happy hiking, Candace! 🙂

[@shaunabean2210]

So, if I am in an area that does not require a bear canister do you suggest taking one anyway?? As opposed to trying to hang?

[@WanderingSwitchback]

It really depends on bear behavior where you’re going. I would opt for a hang over an Ursack, but I do personally take a canister, even when not required. It’s a personal decision, but one I make based on bears in CA. Other places they may not be as hang-savvy, but it’s important to know how to do a proper hang and have good trees suited for it.

[@angelusway]

I have an Ursack and use an opsack bag inside. I use it but I also hang it 12 ft in the middle of the branch-AT style. I have never had a problem but only use it where allowed. I also have a bear canister (lil' sam). It's a weight/space saving thing for me with the Ursack but be Bear aware and keep a clean camp and follow the triangle rule. Thanks for the videos, great job👍

[@hikeeatrepeat9768]

I have used an ursack for about 8 years and have never had an issue. I do couple mine with LokSak to prevent animals from smelling the food. Most of the time the reason the bags fail is user error and not following the instructions. The bag needs to stay upi high to prevent the bear from gaining leverage. Honestly, the knot is not that complicated to tie. If you are backpacking you need to know how to tie basic knots anyway. I had a bear on the AT find my bag one night and he played and pulled at it for hours I am guessing and nothing was damaged inside or out. AGAIN, you must follow the instructions and tie and place the bag properly and you will have no issues.

[@WanderingSwitchback]

User error is often the mistake that leads to bears getting at food, regardless of method. However, the error rate on an Ursack is high, and sometimes, even with that, bears still manage to create a hole in them (as pictured in the video). The LokSak can certainly help reduce the risk, but it still isn't as protective as a canister. I think to some degree, it also depends on where you are. In some places, bears are more skilled at getting into things like Ursacks than other places. Thank you for sharing your experience! I hope your Ursack continues to work well for you!

[@theoutdoordogandhikinggirl]

Well, that's one advantage of hiking in the Netherlands.😅 At least we do not have to worrie about hanging food etc. We can simply sleep with it. But I would rather like to hang my food if I could have only just a small bit of the kind of nature and trails you guys have over there

[@WanderingSwitchback]

We are so fortunate to have the variety of nature we have! There is certainly a trade-off when visiting the home of animals! No rodents or anything that might chew through your tent for your food in the Netherlands?

[@Tors_Outdoors]

An ursack shouldn't be tied to something heavier than a bear. If a bear can use it's strength and weight against the bag, it will fail over time.

[@WanderingSwitchback]

Is there a better way it should be secured? If so, can you please explain it or share a link? Their website recommends tying it to a tree or other fixed object. This is from their FAQ: "How do I tie my Ursack to a tree or fixed object? "After cinching and knotting your bag closed, wrap the excess cord around a tree or fixed object and secure with a figure 8 knot."

[@Tors_Outdoors]

@@WanderingSwitchback Ursack does instruct us to anchor the sack, which probably works against black bears, but you really need to question whether you want a bear going crazy near your camp. For instance - If a brown bear claims your food, there are several things that might happen. First, it will probably run away if you wake up and yell at it. Second, it might claim your food and threaten you while it defends the anchored bag. Third, the bear breaks the anchor and leaves with the ursack. In the third scenario, the bear is unlikely to access the food. Without an anchor, it would need a tug-of-war buddy. If this should happen, park officials or nearby inhabitants should be immediately notified. Ultimately, I wouldn't anchor that food to a tree near your camp. Tie it to some drift wood, or a shrub, or a potato shaped rock. The bear will take the ursack somewhere safe for us all, where it can explore the rejective qualities of kevlar. In the alpine, one should consider building a cache out of medium sized rocks. If you are in a highly trafficked area, maybe don't disturb the natural vibe of a sweet campsite. I don't normally defend things online, but ursacks are often the only option for wilderness adventures and there is a right and wrong way to use them. This is often a matter of subjective judgement. Here's a link to an ursack in a zoo. Watch this and decide if you want it happening near your camp. kzbin.info/www/bejne/jpeZaJuXmdStd5o

[@WanderingSwitchback]

@@Tors_Outdoors Regardless of the bear, it should never be in your camp. It should be minimum 25 yards away from camp. This graphic may be helpful: ursack.com/pages/how-to-use I'm not sure where an Ursack would be the only option, versus a bear canister. Specific bear canisters are required in many areas, and I've never seen a case where an Ursack is required but not a bear canister. I'm not trying to be difficult, but I am trying to make sure that accurate information is out there. No Ursack (or bear canister, or hang) should ever be tied in or near camp, regardless of what critters or bears are the concern.