How to Go Hiking or Backpacking In Bear Country (and Not Die)

My go to backpacking gear for bear country:

Hiking in Bear Country can be scary. Sleeping in a tent with bears outside? Even scarier. But I'm here to help walk you through safely navigating backpacking and hiking where bears may roam and wander through your camp.

#hiking #backpacking #bearcountry #bearsafety #bearspray #wildlife #wildanimals #bears #grizzly #grizzlybear

[mhe]

Even when I’m biking that bear spray is on my handlebars within reach. It stays with me in camp at all times. Once when hiking on a narrow trail my dog, on leash, stopped dead and refused to go further. Trusted his instinct. Thanks for all your tips.

[Mapleaple]

Amazing thing to bring in any trip is a small motion sensor light and set it up near the camp if you are solo or a couple. Great for a light, security, and spooks most things off in the night. It did bother me at first if it went off accidentally but you get used it those times. pointing it downward-ish prevents it from going off from high winds blowing on tree limbs.

[totoroben]

13:34 you have to knot the bag closed so if the bear gets it, it cannot open it as easily. You have your knot several cm away from the opening, which doesn't make this bag much better than any other hanging bag. 16:55 that's why you do a PCT hang.

[redbarron]

When I read about the woman who sadly lost her life, the bear had been in the camp once before, and they were able to run it off. They probably should have taken other precautions after the first time.

I grew up with a firearm in my hands and I have studied this problem to have the right stuff to stop a bear attack. My understanding is that Montana recommends a firearm, I think a shotgun, because the bears are less affected by bear spray.

The attacks I’ve studied are very fast and violent. The first time out west I carried a 44 mag w dangerous game ammo. I now have a 45 LC with dangerous game ammo and it’s ported. It’s also lots lighter. But after talking to the real guys in Alaska I have a Glock 20 gen 4. To be frank, Im going to try a book a Ranger hike or go on a guided hike.

The bear problems are serious, plus there are wolves and mountain lions in greater quantities.

If you have a grizzly coming at you, I question my ability even with all my training, I’d probably crap my drawers.

[shotbytim]

One thing you didn't mention when you talked about "scented" items: Laundered clothing. Most detergent is very heavily scented and some of those scents are "fruity" and bears like fruit. Best to wash clothes in "Free and Clear" detergents.

[nancytrekker]

Love seeing other channels promote bear safety. Thanks for the great vid.

[Risky_Wizard]

This was super informative! Thanks for making this great content 💕 I hope to go on my first backpacking trip soon

[austinkopp]

Eric- hanging the Ursack the way you depict negates most of the reason to use one over a lightweight stuff sack. It's designed to be tied to the trunk of a tree by the included cord as a retention device first and foremost. A determined bear may get the Ursack if PCT-hung and could then walk away with the food; whereas if used as directed by the manufacturer the food may only be crushed, but not taken away from camp.

[Vancouver_Ohi]

It's really main issue for hiking. It was so helpful to me. Protection from bears and wilderness is the most important part of the backcountry hike. I am a also hiking bug:)

[kevinjones]

The ursack bag doesn’t need to be hung from a tree - you tie it directly to the tree. Also, I put everything (food, scented items, etc.) in an OpSak odor proof bag.

[stopmonkey]

We've been using our ursack on every trip for six years now, bears or not. They do advertise another bag for rodents, but I've found if you tie the chord tight enough. Our bear cannisters only gets use in Yosemite where they require hard sided canisters.

[cynthiamgentles]

And put a portable electric bear fence around your campsite. There’s one out there weighing only 2.4 lbs and it’s really capable. Passive deterrence for a good night’s sleep.

[GlacierPilotGst]

Lead based bear spray is the best. There is a difference in Black vs Brown bear attacks.. Brown is usually territory, cubs, startled. A black bear attack is to eat you.

[GratefulTrekker]

Another potential issue with that bear bag and I have had friend that this has happened to if a bear gets a hold of it they very well might not leave it there and could carry it away for some distance...

[bucket_lord]

where were you in this video that mountainous country is very pretty

[JK-]

Always feel better having a dog in the tent as they would theoretically smell the bear before I wake up. Giving the bear a warning bark before it was too close to camp

[elctros]

male bears in desperate food situations do decide to hunt humans sometimes. Recent study shows this is the encounter that causes more bear deaths than even moms with cubs. Moms with cubs and surprised bears usually just bluff. They don't kill you often. A predatory male bear could have hunted that woman. I wouldn't assume she had food in the tent.

It is rare for a bear to hunt a human but bear spray is the only way to protect yourself in that scenario.

[markodabrowski]

Bears are generally not scary in all honesty but it's the mountain lions that have me staying alert

[sirsir]

If I'm going to not hang my food I will at least put all my sunscreen soaps etc in a opsak as well as my food and trash and coldsoak jar/cook kit generally food is in its own bag and I eat before getting to camp then I put cook kit in a small opsack and my diddy's in a large opsak that I also put the small sak with the cook kit in and my trash is broken up into a zip lock for trash and one for recycling (mostly zip locks that can be reused) which both reside in an opsak I'd suggest that as a bare minimum ... while on the oregon section of the pct I didnt find anyone that used an ursack or bear can or hung food most people didn't even use opsaks it seems (I don't recommend that at all) I did hang once though and I recommend at least being able to do that if your going to skip on the ursack or bearcan granted where I was hiking most resorts left their regular trash cans out which indicates low bear activity if you in a high bear activity area I'd suggest just using the ursack or can as finding a spot to hang can be annoying and hard to find later I didn't feel fond of sleeping with my pack full of food in my tent so I kept the bag outside

My dog sleeps with me in my tent or on a ruffware hands free leash if we cowboy or set up under a tarp I'm not fond of the idea of leaving him tied to a tree

[seanrussell]

Might want to change your unit of measurement from ft to yards on some of these suggestions. 200 yds from camp for your food hang, 50-100 yds being the safe distance seeing one on trail, you know all that. 50 ft rather than yds might get someone mauled