Bear Cannister Questions???

Todd Heyn · 07-30-2007, 06:43 PM

My wife and I will be in the Eastern High Peaks area this weekend, 8/3 - 8/6, and will be staying at the Panther Gorge campsite, Lake Colden and Wright campsite. We do have a Bear Vault BV400 for our food but are curious on the best way to use it.

We know that ALL smellables must be in the cannister overnight and that will not be a problem. Our question is how best to place the cannister. We know to move the cannister a good distance away from the campsite and to place in a depression if available. Are there any other thoughts on placement? What is the current history of bears batting the cannisters well away from where they were and not being able to find it in the a.m.? Is there any way to prevent this from occurring?

Finally, does anyone have any current information on bear activity in the areas where we will be staying?

Thanks in advance.

Todd & Stacia

jessdrone · 07-30-2007, 07:21 PM

the bears will just knock it around for a few minutes and realize that they cant get in it. I wouldnt worry about it being found in the morning it will be within a few feet of where you left it. I was in the high peaks a few weeks ago and there were bears around, didnt see any but i heard that there was.

redhawk · 07-30-2007, 09:23 PM

It's great to wake up in the middle of the night and see two groups of bears playing soccer with the canister.

DuctTape · 07-30-2007, 09:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by redhawk

It's great to wake up in the middle of the night and see two groups of bears playing soccer with the canister.

Yeah but they get really upset when you call an offsides penalty.

hobbitling · 07-30-2007, 09:31 PM

I know you shouldnt tie anything to it or give the bears anything to grip.

ken999 · 07-30-2007, 10:12 PM

Here's an interesting twist on the can...

http://www.wilderness-solutions.com/palisade_est.htm

Buckethead · 07-30-2007, 10:20 PM

nothing smells worse than burnt hair.....

Let em play soccer all night!

KeanGrad · 07-31-2007, 07:43 AM

Warnings come with the cannister but the highlights are:
1. Do not stash near water, they will sink.
2. Stash approx 100' from camp site.
3. It has been suggested to store them under or within a "root ball" but I've just simply stuck it under a tree and covered it with some brush and have had no issues.
4. Be sure to have a plastic bag as a liner. Last year @ Feldspar we had one walk right by it and never knew it was there.
5. Absolutely do not hang.

A suggestion that I was offered, and use, is to either put colorful stickers on it &/or flourescent paint blotches to aid in locating if it does become a make- shift soccer ball.

Good luck
keangrad

AlSara · 07-31-2007, 09:52 AM

What's the lightest and most reasonably priced? We have a Bear Keg, and it weighs 1 ton 6 ounces when empty. It works though, we stayed at the Feldspar Lean-to last summer and heard a bear practicing his footwork. Then it left a warm pungent present full of seeds next to it. How thoughtful!

KeanGrad · 07-31-2007, 10:30 AM

"weighs 1 ton 6 ounces" ?????????????

I'm not sure what the cannister weighs empty but I would guess no more than 2 lbs max. I bought mine @ Campmor 2 seasons ago, currently in my 3rd season using it, and it was $65.00. Can't say for certain what they go for now. Go on line @ http://www.campmor.com

Maplez · 07-31-2007, 11:32 AM

This all seems like a bit much we just talk a sleeping bag stuff sack fill it with the food and hand it off a tree with a pulley system. And its fun seeing the bear trying to get it down but I guess if you don’t want anything to do with bears the Cannister is best.

1ADAM12 · 07-31-2007, 11:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maplez

This all seems like a bit much we just talk a sleeping bag stuff sack fill it with the food and hand it off a tree with a pulley system. And its fun seeing the bear trying to get it down but I guess if you don’t want anything to do with bears the Cannister is best.

In the Eastern Highpeaks its mandatory to all overnight campers to have a bear canister. You are not allowed to hang from a tree

BTW welcome to the forums!

AlSara · 07-31-2007, 02:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KeanGrad

"weighs 1 ton 6 ounces" ?????????????

I'm not sure what the cannister weighs empty but I would guess no more than 2 lbs max. I bought mine @ Campmor 2 seasons ago, currently in my 3rd season using it, and it was $65.00. Can't say for certain what they go for now. Go on line @ http://www.campmor.com

OK maybe I exagerate a little...but it is noticeably heavy...I am thinking about joining a gym to bulk up and leave the cannister so I can rastle the bears and ticketing rangers. Both of course are just doing their jobs

redhawk · 07-31-2007, 04:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlSara

OK maybe I exagerate a little...but it is noticeably heavy...I am thinking about joining a gym to bulk up and leave the cannister so I can rastle the bears and ticketing rangers. Both of course are just doing their jobs

Why join a Gym? Buy another canister, fill both of them, wrap straps arond them, leaving enough clack for your hand to get in and use them like dumbells.

You can smack the ticketing rangers offside the head with them and if you encounter a bear, roll one in his direction and shout "FETCH" as you beat feet away.

AlSara · 07-31-2007, 04:48 PM

Clarification:

I am very happy to see as many rangers and stewards as I do. As a licensed fly fishing guide and avid outdoorsman, I wish DEC had more officers on patrol. I have only met a DEC officer once in three years and I often guide and fish very popular areas.

I am also glad to have positive bear encounters. When hiking in the late 80 and through the 90's I never saw one.

But no one answered a question I posted earlier:

Is there a light affordable bear canister on the market (affordable is less than $100 in my book) Ken999's post:

"Here's an interesting twist on the can...

http://www.wilderness-solutions.com/palisade_est.htm" Is a little out of my price range...Though the companies philosophy and video are interesting...

hobbitling · 07-31-2007, 06:43 PM

I think bear vaults run about 60.

redhawk · 07-31-2007, 07:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hobbitling

I think bear vaults run about 60.

Should be good then. bears can only run about 35 downhill.

Rock · 07-31-2007, 07:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by redhawk

Should be good then. bears can only run about 35 downhill.

That's only if the canister is running down hill.

SPRTSMN · 08-17-2007, 10:31 AM

Watch E-Bay.

I found a used one, obviously a bear ball for some time, but fully functional.

$38.00

1ADAM12 · 08-17-2007, 10:42 AM

http://cgi.ebay.com/Bear-Vault-Food-...QQcmdZViewItem

07-30-2007, 06:43 PM	#1
Todd Heyn Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Mount Holly, NJ Posts: 35	Bear Cannister Questions??? My wife and I will be in the Eastern High Peaks area this weekend, 8/3 - 8/6, and will be staying at the Panther Gorge campsite, Lake Colden and Wright campsite. We do have a Bear Vault BV400 for our food but are curious on the best way to use it. We know that ALL smellables must be in the cannister overnight and that will not be a problem. Our question is how best to place the cannister. We know to move the cannister a good distance away from the campsite and to place in a depression if available. Are there any other thoughts on placement? What is the current history of bears batting the cannisters well away from where they were and not being able to find it in the a.m.? Is there any way to prevent this from occurring? Finally, does anyone have any current information on bear activity in the areas where we will be staying? Thanks in advance. Todd & Stacia

07-30-2007, 09:23 PM	#3
redhawk Senior Resident Curmudgeon Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: In My Memories Posts: 8,916	It's great to wake up in the middle of the night and see two groups of bears playing soccer with the canister. __________________ "If future generations are to remember us with gratitude rather than contempt, we must leave them more than the miracles of technology. We must leave them a glimpse of the world as it was in the beginning, not just after we got through with it." Lyndon B. Johnson It Ain't Your Daddy's Trail Food Redhawk's Lodge

07-30-2007, 09:31 PM	#5
hobbitling spring fever Join Date: May 2006 Location: Albany Posts: 1,956	I know you shouldnt tie anything to it or give the bears anything to grip. __________________ He found himself wondering at times, especially in the autumn, about the wild lands, and strange visions of mountains that he had never seen came into his dreams.

07-31-2007, 09:52 AM	#9
AlSara We fish with a fly Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: North Country of NY Posts: 276	What's the lightest and most reasonably priced? We have a Bear Keg, and it weighs 1 ton 6 ounces when empty. It works though, we stayed at the Feldspar Lean-to last summer and heard a bear practicing his footwork. Then it left a warm pungent present full of seeds next to it. How thoughtful! Last edited by AlSara; 07-31-2007 at 09:54 AM.. Reason: Added more information

07-31-2007, 04:48 PM	#15
AlSara We fish with a fly Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: North Country of NY Posts: 276	Clarification: I am very happy to see as many rangers and stewards as I do. As a licensed fly fishing guide and avid outdoorsman, I wish DEC had more officers on patrol. I have only met a DEC officer once in three years and I often guide and fish very popular areas. I am also glad to have positive bear encounters. When hiking in the late 80 and through the 90's I never saw one. But no one answered a question I posted earlier: Is there a light affordable bear canister on the market (affordable is less than $100 in my book) Ken999's post: "Here's an interesting twist on the can... http://www.wilderness-solutions.com/palisade_est.htm" Is a little out of my price range...Though the companies philosophy and video are interesting... Last edited by AlSara; 07-31-2007 at 05:01 PM..

07-30-2007, 07:21 PM	#2
jessdrone Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: western new york Posts: 86	the bears will just knock it around for a few minutes and realize that they cant get in it. I wouldnt worry about it being found in the morning it will be within a few feet of where you left it. I was in the high peaks a few weeks ago and there were bears around, didnt see any but i heard that there was.

07-30-2007, 10:12 PM	#6
ken999 Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 938	Here's an interesting twist on the can... http://www.wilderness-solutions.com/palisade_est.htm

07-30-2007, 10:20 PM	#7
Buckethead Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Olean NY Posts: 127	nothing smells worse than burnt hair..... Let em play soccer all night!

07-31-2007, 07:43 AM	#8
KeanGrad Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: North Jersey Posts: 65	Warnings come with the cannister but the highlights are: 1. Do not stash near water, they will sink. 2. Stash approx 100' from camp site. 3. It has been suggested to store them under or within a "root ball" but I've just simply stuck it under a tree and covered it with some brush and have had no issues. 4. Be sure to have a plastic bag as a liner. Last year @ Feldspar we had one walk right by it and never knew it was there. 5. Absolutely do not hang. A suggestion that I was offered, and use, is to either put colorful stickers on it &/or flourescent paint blotches to aid in locating if it does become a make- shift soccer ball. Good luck keangrad

07-31-2007, 10:30 AM	#10
KeanGrad Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: North Jersey Posts: 65	"weighs 1 ton 6 ounces" ????????????? I'm not sure what the cannister weighs empty but I would guess no more than 2 lbs max. I bought mine @ Campmor 2 seasons ago, currently in my 3rd season using it, and it was $65.00. Can't say for certain what they go for now. Go on line @ http://www.campmor.com

07-31-2007, 11:32 AM	#11
Maplez Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 1	This all seems like a bit much we just talk a sleeping bag stuff sack fill it with the food and hand it off a tree with a pulley system. And its fun seeing the bear trying to get it down but I guess if you don’t want anything to do with bears the Cannister is best.

07-31-2007, 06:43 PM	#16
hobbitling spring fever Join Date: May 2006 Location: Albany Posts: 1,956	I think bear vaults run about 60. __________________ He found himself wondering at times, especially in the autumn, about the wild lands, and strange visions of mountains that he had never seen came into his dreams.

08-17-2007, 10:31 AM	#19
SPRTSMN Sportsman Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Wallkill, NY Posts: 5	Watch E-Bay. I found a used one, obviously a bear ball for some time, but fully functional. $38.00

08-17-2007, 10:42 AM	#20
1ADAM12 Should I Jump????????????? Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Tioga, PA Posts: 353	http://cgi.ebay.com/Bear-Vault-Food-...QQcmdZViewItem

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