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Boundary Waters Quetico Forum Gear Forum Blue barrel question |
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02/11/2022 02:28PM
For 30 years we hung our food. A few years ago we bought a blue barrel and stashed. So far, works great, no problems.
My question is, has anyone hung a blue barrel? Or plan to this year?
I hate hanging but also don’t want to invest in other containers.
My question is, has anyone hung a blue barrel? Or plan to this year?
I hate hanging but also don’t want to invest in other containers.
02/11/2022 02:43PM
Yes, I have hung a blue barrel, and I plan to continue to do so (in combination with the use of an Ursack for some food) in order to remain compliant with the safety needs of the BWCAW. Blue barrels are not bear resistant, and the USFS is unlikely to recognize simply hiding them on the ground away from camp as a sufficient method of protecting bears from our food.
02/12/2022 02:52PM
I have hung one. Much like hanging a pack. Don't have to worry about mice, squirrels, or water getting into it however. It's also harder for a bear to grab onto because it's slippery unlike a pack where they could pull it down or closer to them with their teeth or claws.
02/12/2022 04:28PM
When I use my 60L blue barrel, we still hang it. I have found it definitely needs a pulley system, at least with the food loads I have brought. This has helped us campers get it height enough in the tree, and also limits damage to the tree. Another thing I have learned to do is remove the harness before hanging to limit weight and remove grab points for the bear. The little buggers are ingenious and tenacious. I have had a hung harness torn up by a hungry, well trained bear who used it as a piñata .
02/12/2022 10:36PM
boonie: "Just so you know - the rangers checked me last fall and were as interested in my food storage as my permit. It seemed to be an area of emphasis. "
So I guess a (smallest, least expensive) red herring ursack might be in order.
"Enjoy every sandwich"
02/13/2022 10:03AM
HowardSprague: "boonie: "Just so you know - the rangers checked me last fall and were as interested in my food storage as my permit. It seemed to be an area of emphasis. "
So I guess a (smallest, least expensive) red herring ursack might be in order."
Genius
02/23/2022 04:14PM
For the first few years my group and I did the standard hang bag. Then we rented a blue barrel and hung that too. Then, out of laziness, we just started stashing it. 16-years and (knock on wood) no issues with bears yet.
Hanging the barrel was always easy, we just used the carry handles that were built into the backpack rig and ran it up a tree that way. We have never tried hanging using the handles that are built into the barrels; I'm not sure I would trust those.
Hanging the barrel was always easy, we just used the carry handles that were built into the backpack rig and ran it up a tree that way. We have never tried hanging using the handles that are built into the barrels; I'm not sure I would trust those.
"Happiness isn't good enough for me! I demand euphoria!" - Calvin & Hobbes
02/23/2022 07:45PM
My official opionion is hang the barrel or hang the bag...just better safe than sorry I suppose. ..and leagally correct. However...I have been using barrels for quite some time and never had issue. This includes lots of time spent in the Cherokee National Forest of E Tn and W Nc...where I swear is the black bear capitol of the universe. I know they're not completly scent proof but raccoons don't mess with them even in busy campgrounds. I do utilize the bag inside of a bag food organization system so maybe the ziplocs plus water tight barrel limits it. We used an old hunting "cabin" when I was a kid way back in the wilderness for years that had a 55 gallon blue barrel with locking lid as outside storage. There was food in that thing all year around and it was never bothered with a bear population density of like one every square yard. As long as you don't put a trail camera near it, they won't mess with it...you hunters will know all about that joke.
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