PlacidWaters
Adventurer
Converting my Kia Soul for camping. I can't imagine hanging large amounts of food in trees every night. I've done that while backpacking, but a 7-day trip involves a lot of food. How do others handle this?
Sleeping in vehicle in black bear country (what to do with food)
- Thread starter PlacidWaters
- Start date
Winterpeg
Active member
I've left coolers out (just too damn heavy when it's full of meat)... but it was in an area that was very remote and the bears were not "garbage bears".
I used ratchet straps and strapped them shut at least... one was a yeti cooler so it seals good on it's own, but the other was a basic cheap cooler.
In THAT area I have never had a problem with the black bears... your mileage may vary (YMMV).
I used ratchet straps and strapped them shut at least... one was a yeti cooler so it seals good on it's own, but the other was a basic cheap cooler.
In THAT area I have never had a problem with the black bears... your mileage may vary (YMMV).
I think the first step is to get a rotomolded cooler. There are a lot of options now, that are between $100-$200 dollars. Look for ones that have the silver "Certified Bear Resistant" sticker on the outside or go to the Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee (IGBC) website to get a list of certified models. These are the ones that the forest service recognizes, and you can leave them outside of your car without a fine. Note that most of them require you to use a pad lock in order for them to be considered bear resistant, the rubber latches alone are not enough.
For dry goods, I have build a low rise sleeping platform in some of my rigs that you can keep a low profile storage tub under the bed inside the vehicle while you sleep. If you are doing it for just a trip, you could do plywood and 2x4's for a more temporary solution. use cardboard as a template to get the plywood the shape you want to fit the inside shape of car. Staple and glue some cheap automotive carpet to the plywood if you want an upgrade.
For dry goods, I have build a low rise sleeping platform in some of my rigs that you can keep a low profile storage tub under the bed inside the vehicle while you sleep. If you are doing it for just a trip, you could do plywood and 2x4's for a more temporary solution. use cardboard as a template to get the plywood the shape you want to fit the inside shape of car. Staple and glue some cheap automotive carpet to the plywood if you want an upgrade.
WOODY2
Adventurer
To each his own I guess.
Why would you leave it outside? Unless it's protected in a bear box.
deserteagle56
Adventurer
Did you read the original post? Sleeping inside a Kia Soul. That's a tiny vehicle, so a choice between the person sleeping in the vehicle or the food container. Not room enough for both. I have a 4Runner, a much bigger rig and there's no room for me in the back if I leave my ice chest inside.
I did read the original post but it wasn't clear that space was the issue. My bad. I'm sure you could find room though. Also a yeti cooler (and probably some knock off brands) is bear proof if a lock or bolt is used for the two corners to keep it shut (yeti has these built in).
I wouldn't leave food outside my vehicle in bear country unless it was properly stored in a bear canister (or bear proof cooler with locks) or properly hung in a tree - which is time consuming, depends on having good trees available, and is rarely done well. I always laugh when I see bear bags in a tree that I could climb and get. If a person can get it, a bear surely can.
I wouldn't leave food outside my vehicle in bear country unless it was properly stored in a bear canister (or bear proof cooler with locks) or properly hung in a tree - which is time consuming, depends on having good trees available, and is rarely done well. I always laugh when I see bear bags in a tree that I could climb and get. If a person can get it, a bear surely can.
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Pacific Northwest yetti
Expedition Medic
It is always fun to watch bears test products haha
PlacidWaters
Adventurer
To clarify, the areas where I camp have bears that are VERY acclimated to humans.
PlacidWaters
Adventurer
Actually there's enough room in a Kia Soul for one person, gear, and food. I will build a platform with storage space underneath. I'll sleep on one side of the car and have storage bins on the other side. I've removed the back of the back seat. Cargo space in 4Runner with rear seat folded down: 89 cu ft. Kia Soul: 62 cu ft, plus more with the seat back removed.
Thank you for this information! I wasn't educated about bear-resistant coolers.
PlacidWaters
Adventurer
Thanks for the replies. Bear encounters have increased greatly in the Northeastern US since I started camping, but I personally have never had a bear try to get food from my car. I keep a very clean campsite. However, this year there have been frequent bear problems at campgrounds.
The goals are (1) to keep bears from trying to break into my car (prevent damage to the car), (2) to protect my food, and (3) to protect myself. #1 and #2 have never been a problem. Regarding self-protection, I wonder if a person sleeping inside a car makes any difference to the bear?
The goals are (1) to keep bears from trying to break into my car (prevent damage to the car), (2) to protect my food, and (3) to protect myself. #1 and #2 have never been a problem. Regarding self-protection, I wonder if a person sleeping inside a car makes any difference to the bear?
rruff
Explorer
Probably similar to "you don't need to outrun the bear, you just need to run faster than the slowest person in your group... "
So... you need to attract bears less than the other campers at your site.
Ninelitetrip
Well-known member
Some information on storage.
igbconline.org
Bear Resistant Products - Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee
You can check to see if products you are thinking of purchasing or that you already own is one of the products that are on the List of Bear-Resistant Products.
igbconline.org