[Paddlewise] Bear proofing your camp

I was on the Rogue River this weekend and we tried a new method for bear
proofing our camp.  We borrowed an electrical fence system from the Forest
Service.  It is really simple to set up and seems to work fairly well.  The
Rogue has a horrible people problem, because the people feed the bears and,
surprise, bear damage becomes a problem. The bear/people culture on the
lower Rogue has been difficult to change.  The Forest Service started
installing electrical exclosures to keep the bears out of cooler and food
boxes.  They installed hoists but with coolers it doesn't work.  They
installed electrical exclosures for about 4 years now and the situation has
improved dramatically.  They install the exclosures every spring and a
battery lasts the entire summer.  We borrowed a portable electric fence and
set it up to protect our raft and coolers.  I am sure the hoist method will
work well for 90% of the sea kayak circumstances, but if you have large bags
to protect you might consider this method.  As you can see in the photos in
this link the unit is really compact.  It might also work well for horse
packing. You need some ceramic poles, conducting wire, an electrical
controller and battery, and rod to ground the wire.
http://community.webshots.com/album/49190915UWjlIB

cheers! and happy boat camping
-- MZ



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