Bears a threat to food while canoe camping?

[Woodtroll]

Hello, folks! I'm a long-time lurker here, but a new poster. I'm preparing to take my family of four on a trip through the Adirondacks, including some canoe camping in the St. Regis area. Other places we've been, such as the BWCA and out West, require some pretty stringent precautions to keep food away from the bears. Is this a problem in the Adirondacks? I've never seen this topic addressed one way or the other.

Of course, no matter where we camp, we always keep clean camps, keep food out of packs and tents and secured in a waterproof barrel, don't fry bacon, etc. Do we need to do more than this, or are coons and mice the biggest food threats?

Many thanks! Regan

[redhawk]

You should be fine with a properly hung bear bag a little distance from camp.

[Boreal Chickadee]

Bear canisters are required in the eastern high peaks region. In all other areas you will want to still use a canister or use a bear bag to hang your food. The bears in the adirondacks have been well trained to find food around campsites, so just make sure you hang it properly. Kids don't deal well with being told there'sno food until you get out so hang that bag HIGH and FAR.

At the Limekiln Lake Campground (note campground) Big 55 gallon drums were put at each site to deter the bears. I have heard that they have managed to get in those. My suspicion is though that people may not have closed them properly, although they are chained to the site which allows leverage for the bear.

[Woodtroll]

Thanks, folks, I really appreciate the help. Take care! Regan