Planning our 6th BWCA trip and wondering about food storage regs. I can't find any info for the 2024 season - is it probable that the FS will require approved food containers again?

It is not at all likely. There has been no mention of it in the news media in Minnesota for more than a year. Reading this thread and the one mentioned in it will bring you up to date:


Updates and/or confirmation of USFS bear/food rules

The 2023 thread was revived over in the general discussion forum. If you can wade through all the ethical opinions, there’s enough insight to make you really confused.

The short answer, no one seems to know.

FS.USDA.GOV

To save people the small bother of looking at the Superior National Forest website, here is their text about storing food:
" Never leave food unattended on portage trails or in camp, or other scented items in your tent at any time. Doing so attracts bears and encourages unnatural populations of some species. Use a bear-resistant container or ropes to hang food packs. Containers listed on the IGBC list are product-tested and found to be resistant to bears. Tip – watch your food packs at all times at portages."

Ausable: "To save people the small bother of looking at the Superior National Forest website, here is their text about storing food:
" Never leave food unattended on portage trails or in camp, or other scented items in your tent at any time. Doing so attracts bears and encourages unnatural populations of some species. Use a bear-resistant container or ropes to hang food packs. Containers listed on the IGBC list are product-tested and found to be resistant to bears. Tip – watch your food packs at all times at portages." "

Is that a REGULATION or a SUGGESTION? Legally there is quite a bit of difference.

I will use my Bear Vault regardless; it works with chipmunks and mice too.

It's a suggestion.

The words "use" vs "required" is key. I confirmed it in person last summer. The other key is they say use bear resistant containers and link to the best ones but once again there is nothing to indicate those are the required containers to use. It does give them some leeway to fine people for not taking care of their food...don't know if it would stand in a court. My guess is you would need to blatantly not be taking care of your food. If that was so, there are probably other violations you are doing too. You still need to keep a clean camp and can't just have food all over the place/out.

To have specific storage restrictions/requirements on food storage they (FS) need a documented written order such as they did in 2020 and 2021. Both of those written orders have been rescinded...once again in written documented form.

Outfitters are still renting the blue barrels and calling them bear resistant containers. They work closely with the FS so they know the rules. They would be getting fined if only IGBC approved containers were the only containers allowed. They are obviously the best containers if a bear gets into camp. I won't repeat my rants about if they are the best or not at keeping bears away from camp :) YMMV

T

Thanks everyone. I'll keep an eye on things as our put-in date approaches, but it's good to know that the FS is suggesting rather than mandating.

Can anyone find a link like this for the BWCA:

Cherokee National Forest

This is the area where we live. It was easy peazy to find.

iCallitMaize: "Can anyone find a link like this for the BWCA:


Cherokee National Forest


This is the area where we live. It was easy peazy to find. "

I’ve never found any official orders by the FS easy to find…Sometimes when you talk to the FS they can’t tell you :) I didn’t see anything for the BWCAW. In all fairness what you linked to looks like a temporary order from 2017. You may have missed the rescinded order…which can be even harder to find…It certainly still could be in effect…I just wouldn’t hang your hat on it…

T

FYI for those of you that use barrels and want to add a "certified canister"...after some crude measurements, a BV500 will take up about 35% or so of your 60L barrel's capacity. Last year I just placed it in the bottom and packed around it. Still had room for the 7 day solo w/dog. Needed to clip a few more things on the outside and utilize the day pack more but it worked.

iCallitMaize: "The 2023 thread was revived over in the general discussion forum. If you can wade through all the ethical opinions, there’s enough insight to make you really confused.


The short answer, no one seems to know.

FS.USDA.GOV "

Wrong. And you know that’s wrong from being corrected on this point this very month:

Bear container rules 2023

In icallitMaize’s defense it’s been awhile since that post and there has been more info posted since then. I think their interest has been more of just trying to know what to do…

The USDA doesn’t make it clear…there are a lot of rules that aren’t clear. Bring up the 4 canoes 9 people rule on a portage and many don’t understand that rule either because of the USDA…

But I get your frustration and love your whackamole analogy :) in a previous post. It just keeps coming up and people speak with authority that don’t really know the rules and are making assumptions…

T