I had a bear visit my yard and porch a couple of weeks ago - it left the kayaks alone, but smashed the daylights out of an empty garbage can and tore open a large water-tight plastic storage container that I had a bunch of smelly fishing gear stored in. Luckily he didn't tear down the smokehouse that had 15 salmon hanging in it! Rest assured - if a bear smells food in your kayak - and he wants it - he'll get it. When I can't find a good spot to hang food I triple bag it and leave it stashed on the ground away from camp - this is pretty much the only option when above tree line also. If it's more than 2 days worth - about as long as I'm willing to go hungry - I split it into two parts and stash them separately. Haven't had any problems yet, but not certain whether the splitting idea has value - it might just mean feeding two bears without anyone squabbling at the "dinner table" Dave Seng Juneau, Alaska > -----Original Message----- > From: E. Sullivan [mailto:sullivaned_at_pop.mts.kpnw.org] > Sent: Monday, August 16, 1999 4:08 PM > To: p w > Subject: [Paddlewise] Bears > > > Has anybody ever heard of a kayak being opened by a bear > looking for treats? The only banditry I have ever > experienced has been rodential or winged, so I sometimes > secure food below deck when good hanging trees are not > available. > > ************************************************************** > ************* > PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List > Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net > Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net > Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ > ************************************************************** > ************* > *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
Hi- aren't there bear repellents one could put on the outside of food bags, etc? I guess there must not be, but why not - bears too smart? e Elaine Harmon - eilidh_at_dc.seflin.org - eharmon_at_cs.miami.edu *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
Elaine Harmon wrote: > > Hi- aren't there bear repellents one could put on the outside of food > bags, etc? I guess there must not be, but why not - bears too smart? e > I read of a guy hanging his stinking socks with the fresh caribo meat, hoping the smell would keep the bears away. However, during the night they could tell that the bears had gotten into the meat anyway. Then he got to worrying that the bear might think that the smell from his feet meant food! :>) BTW: shooting pepper spray around camp is a no-no. Tests have show that it only attracts them. James *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
Elaine Harmon wrote: > > Hi- aren't there bear repellents one could put on the outside of food > bags, etc? I guess there must not be, but why not - bears too smart? e > They are VERY bright, and have good "smellers". I heard that wearing a big cowboy hat and maybe a big belt buckle would help prevent bear attacks. During the building of the Alaskan pipe line there were lots of Texans up there. Word has it that the bears quickly learned to leave them alone. Seems that once they roared and scared the crap out of them, then jumping on them knocked the air out of them..., well, there just wasn't much left to eat! Sorry, couldn't resist. <G> James, in ENM *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
This archive was generated by hypermail 2.4.0 : Thu Aug 21 2025 - 16:33:02 PDT