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Posted by speacock on May 3, 2008 at 1:15:45 pm EDT
In reply to Bear Food Ediquette While Camping Question CO posted by skinny_duck on April 28, 2008 at 12:16:03 am EDT

Marmots - the second plague!

There is even an urban legend of types about the 'rats' more than likely marmots, on Pikes Peak eating a baby (and if memory serves me, the mother also) back in the very early days of the mountain and humans. I suspect that is mainly to tittilate the public horror needs.

About 5 years ago, I chatted with a Sierra camper at upper Vidette Meadows coming back, wide eyed in the very early morning, talking about a bear that was essentially playing soccer with a large bear box. Tumbling it and knocking it about to get (perhaps) what was inside. There is a reason for the big chain attaching the box to something. There were two rangers spending the night lower in the meadow that were bear 'taggers'. Two of them. One looked like he was last year's captain of the college base ball team, tall, good looking; the other looked like the homecoming queen. He was the tracker, she was the shooter. They were out paint balling the bears. They said that they are no longer transporting bears out to another location as it was useless and put the bear at jeapordy of impinging other's territory or starving. She said that she had a large caliber rifle along. If a problem bear was found she was in charge of putting it down and to leave it there - off the trail for 'recyling'.

That Garcia should be put into a willow bush or in a depression, so that it is not batted too far away. It would have to be a rock you couldn't move to make it safe under it.

I have my Bearikade cannister lined with reflective tape and my address on it, in case it goes walking. I keep mine just out side the tent aways. Have NEVER had a bear in camp since it has been displayed. Haven't had a lot of elephants come through either, come to think of it.

Packers use approved bear proof paniers and are finding that they have very rare approaches by bears. The ones that take chances and are trying to cut corners are more and more carrying other unprotected food, since they figure the bears are discouraged by the panniers they are using. Time will tell.

My cannister goes with me everytime I'm over night anywhere now. Its just routine to pack it. Makes a great footstool, chair, dishwash container, smallish bathtub, etc. Makes my packs smaller since I can cram stuff in there that would usually be fluffing up the pack.

In bear country, an untrained and naive house pet is at risk. No dogs allowed in US National Parks as they don't want them endangering themselves or you or the wildlife.

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