BWCA Canister's stashed together/separate tied/untied? Boundary Waters Trip Planning Forum
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Michwall2
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08/09/2021 11:18AM  
So now that I have canisters (at least 2), do you stash them in the same place away from camp or in different spots?

Do you attempt to secure them to a tree/rock or just set them there?

 
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Bearpath9
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08/09/2021 12:53PM  
Good question. I will probably stash mine together, but not tied to anything. I will put my unused cook gear (unused because I will be eating freeze-dried food) on it in a way that will make some noise. Whether I hear it or not is another question.
andym
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08/09/2021 12:57PM  
With our Ursacks, we always put them in multiple locations. Why make it easier on a bear to find all of the food? Even if they could just crush the food inside, I’d still like some uncrushed food. Not that we ever saw any evidence that our bags were noticed.

With switching to canisters, I would do the same and would not tie them. The canisters are designed to be hard for a bear to carry. So, I wouldn’t add a potential handle.
08/09/2021 01:21PM  
What andy said. I just take them out of camp away from obvious trails and leave them on the ground.
Michwall2
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08/09/2021 03:01PM  
boonie: "What andy said. I just take them out of camp away from obvious trails and leave them on the ground. "


Pretty soon there are going to be lots of obvious trails as people try to find places to hide a canister.

The places I worry about are those with steep hills down to the water. My canister could be half way to Hudson Bay before we find it.

martoonie
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08/09/2021 04:17PM  
Use flagging ribbon mark a tree by where you stash them. Nothing more frustrating than trying to remember which tree or trees you stashed them by. All of those trees in the general area look the same in the morning. Bears have an excellent sense of smell. they can probably smell your footprints, so they can follow where you walked to stash the barrel. Do not tie anything to the barrel that a bear can get a hold of and drag the barrel away. You'll never find it.
Loony_canoe
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08/10/2021 08:11AM  
All points are well made. Definitely do not add anything that can be used to drag the barrel. Also, note where the barrel will roll if batted around. It can, and will roll, into the water if given the chance. I also place a noise maker (bell or pot) on top to help indicate something found the barrel. Not a guarantee of notice, but it makes me feel slightly better.
I feel it is an improvement; I added a strip of reflective tape to the lid to assist in finding the thing in dark condition (may invalidate warranty).
08/10/2021 09:09AM  
martoonie: "Use flagging ribbon mark a tree by where you stash them. Nothing more frustrating than trying to remember which tree or trees you stashed them by. All of those trees in the general area look the same in the morning. Bears have an excellent sense of smell. they can probably smell your footprints, so they can follow where you walked to stash the barrel. Do not tie anything to the barrel that a bear can get a hold of and drag the barrel away. You'll never find it."


Just be sure to remember to remove any flagging ribbon when you vacate the campsite.
08/10/2021 10:13AM  
I place them in a depression. So far my one experience with a bear he didn’t roll em to far. Stayed in the depression. I keep em in sight.;
fishonfishoff
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08/11/2021 10:59AM  
We use 5 gallon buckets with gamma lids. I string a rope through each bucket handle and tie each end of the rope to separate trees spaced about 4-10 feet apart. On the slight taught rope are bear bells to alert us of any unwanted visitors. So far we have not heard any bells ringing at night.

Maybe our snoring is driving the unwanted visitors away?

FISHONFISHOFF
 
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