If you’re an experienced camper who’s ever been out into parts of the World that bears call home, you might be familiar with bear-safe food storage. Specifically, you might be wondering if it’s better to use a Bear Canister or a Bear Bag when you’re securing provisions. In this guide, you’ll learn not only which one is more ideal depending on your camping situation, but you’ll also find out about some of the important regulations that many parks have in place for these devices.
What is Bear Safe Storage?
If you’re camping in areas where these animals are abundant, it’s crucial to have some form of bear-proof storage with you in order to stay safe and avoid encounters. There are several types available, but the most popular currently are Canisters and Bags. Here’s some key information about both kinds:
Bear Canisters
Typically, these are small, hard plastic canisters that can easily fit into your pack and come in a range of sizes. It’s common for Park rangers and Campsite offices to offer these on loan, but they might run out of these if you’re heading out on a busy weekend—many online outdoor stores stock canisters at a reasonable price.
Pros
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It’s uncommon for bears to breach these.
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Many have learned to move on from a site when they see one
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You can stash these in your site.
Cons
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Can be quite heavy, up to 2-3 pounds each
Bear Bags
Bear Bags (also known as safe sacks) are lightweight alternatives to canisters that can be stored on the ground or suspended from a tree. The Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee (IGBC) recommends polyethene designs, which Bears will find hard to break. You can increase deterrence by purchasing odour-proof bags to store food and garbage in.
Pros
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Lightweight and Compact
Cons
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Some National Parks have a ban on Bear Bags
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It’s possible for bears to crush or steal these
Safe Sacks vs. Proper hangs
A common disagreement among campers in bear country is whether it’s better to leave a Safe sack on the ground or hang it from a tree. You want to make sure to check the local guidelines for where you will be camping. Some campgrounds require the bags to be hung, others prohibit safe sacks and require the use of bear canisters.
Certain sites offer permanent infrastructure, such as cable systems, to effectively hang equipment. If this isn’t the case, then the best option is to swap the bag for a canister or choose a different site to camp at.
Camping Site Rules & Regulations
It’s normal for many Camping sites and national parks to have backcountry food storage rules that you must follow if you’re planning to camp there. A word of warning: these rules are to protect you, other campers, and bears, so you can be fined pretty hefty sums if you don’t follow these. Some even have large, metal, locking containers to store food in.
Best Practices
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Check the rules for the site or park you’re travelling to. Some have a strict ban on Bear bags, and require you to use the canisters.
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If you’re bringing your car, some sites also require you to remove all food from your vehicle to place into odour-proof lockers. Never store your food in a pickup truck that bears can easily access.
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Never store food in your tent or backpack, and wash any dishes and camping cookware as soon as you’ve used them, away from your campsite.
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Don’t burn any waste food, drink, or coffee grounds in a campfire; they need to be very hot to completely destroy food waste, and this could start a forest fire. Instead, collect garbage in a bear-safe food storage container and dispose of it when you leave.
In Summary…
There are several great options for storing your food safely, effectively, and responsibly in bear country. Comparatively, when it comes to a Bear canister vs bear bag, canisters are the best option. However, if you’re unable to carry this with the rest of your gear, it might be better to bring a safe sack at times. Always check if the national park or site you’ll be visiting allows you to use a sack; the last thing you want is to receive a nasty fine!