[ Post a Response | San Gorgonio Backcountry Bulletin Board ]
Posted by Hikin' Jim on November 2, 2009, 23:18:03, in reply to "Re: Bear Canisters"
162.119.238.162
You're absolutely right, Vic. Problem bears get shot. "A fed bear is a dead bear," as they say.
Yes, canisters do work. In areas where canisters are used, bears will often give the canisters a look and keep on walking. They know what they are and they know they can't get the food. If you can keep the bears from getting the food reward, then the bears will move on to other food sources.
I agree that canisters are odious. You not only have to carry the heavy, bulky canister, but you have to carry a bigger pack too (so the canister will fit), both of which add weight. For me with my gear, I have to carry an additional 6 lbs, 3oz. 6 lbs. is the equivalent of carrying 3 extra quarts of water on every mile of every hike, all the way back to the trailhead.
So, definitely, use them in areas where there's a clear, demonstrable need. In other areas, people should be allowed to use bear precautions that aren't quite so odious.
HJ
--Previous Message--
:
: Will using canisters keep bears from
: wandering through camps looking for
: food? Is there any statistics on
: this. I ask out of ignorance. I
: would hate to see such a burdensome
: rule established if it wasn't
: absolutely necessary.I would gladly
: carry a can if it will really solve
: the problem.
: It is true that black bears are
: not grizzlies,but they are still
: wild and unpredictable animals and
: more than a match for any person.Any
: serious bear/human incident would
: not only be bad for the person,but
: also for the bears.If anyone is
: killed or badly injured the Forest
: Service may be forced to take action
: to see that it doesn't happen again.
: That action could go very poorly for
: the bears. Just my opinion.
: --Previous Message--
:
:
: What proof do you have to state
: that other areas do not have the
: same kind of problems? What stats
: do you have on backpacker-bear
: incidents outside of Vivian Creek.
: The problem is Vivian. Fix the
: problem.
:
:
:
: --Previous Message--
: HJ,
: You talk about the Vivian Zone. what
: proof do you have to state that
: other areas do not have the same
: kind of problems ?
: How far do these Bear Travel ? from
: zone to zone ?
: Zones could work if our Wilderness
: was as big as say the High Sierra
: Range. But it is not its SMALL.
: Especailly the given trails that are
: used. Not all of the Wilderness is
: assecible by trail which leaves
: problems for zones being these areas
: have higher use. than the lower
: unassesibe places.
: HJ who does like a big round bulky
: canister but I'm willing and able to
: support it fully. it may be some
: more weight but think if it truely
: does help why not do it... I'm
: willing are you ?
: Happy Hiking
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