How do you keep animals away from food while camping? Let’s face it – having your food decimated by critters when you camp is no fun. It’s not something you want to have to deal with when you are out with your family having a fun time exploring nature.
Animals are just as interested in getting an easy meal as you or I. When camping, it can be a challenge to prevent the critters from helping themselves to our dinner. If you are basecamping, metal containers may be provided, or your car is a relatively safe cache. But what should you do if you are backpacking away from a vehicle?
“Bear,” probably raises the most anxiety when thinking about losing food to an animal. But chipmunks and squirrels can cause complete devastation of food supplies. Mice pollute and ruin foods. Even insects or slugs can create problems if food is handled improperly. But the worst of all are raccoons, which will scavenge your sight for crumbs and wreak havoc. Reading about strategies to prevent animals from sneaking your food is wise. Do this before you begin your wilderness lifestyle adventure.
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How to Keep Animals Away From Food
Here are a few basic tips:
Never keep food in your tent at night. Never leave food open and unprotected for extended periods of time. Try to cook a significant distance from your tent.
There are different styles of camping. In some areas you will be required to camp in designated locations. These more traditional family campgrounds may have greater animal problems than where dispersed camping is allowed. Animals will have identified those established campsites as prime food collection areas. In some areas, such as the eastern Adirondacks, the bears simply come through every day and take what they want. Some have been observed opening “bear-proof” canisters. Recently, we’ve all seen those posts about bears trashing cars to get food.
Don’t Let Critters Ruin Your Trip
Here are five tips to minimize the chances that you will need to cut your trip short because some small or large beast has enjoyed a free meal at your expense.
Out of Sight…
Hang your food, toothpaste, lotions, etc. from a high branch or bear pole in order to keep animals away from food while camping. Line your food bag with a plastic bag. Animals can still smell it, but not from as far away. The plastic will also protect it from rain and heavy dew. There are several methods of roping a cache bag over a high branch out of the reach of animals.
To be bear safe, the bag must be 12 feet off the ground and at least 3 feet from the trunk of any nearby tree. In areas where bears are “savvy,” you can not simply loop the rope over a branch and tie it off; the bear will know enough to slash the rope. Research alternate roping methods.
Bear Canisters
Consider a bear canister. These canisters have smooth sides with nothing for an animal with paws to hold on to. The disadvantage is that they are too small for extended trips, and they are expensive. The kind that open by using a tool or coin to unscrew the lid are more secure.
Tough Materials
The Ursack is a bag woven of bullet-proof material that a bear or other animal can not bite through. It packs better than a canister, but is also too small for extended trips.
Dispersed Camping
If dispersed camping is allowed, this will reduce the likelihood of animal encounters. Dispersed camping allows you to create a small, low-impact campsite anywhere you like. Usually, there are restrictions on distance from waterways, trails, and roads. The local wildlife has not had the chance to learn that people and their foods will be in that location, so animals stay away from your food.
Time Your Meals
Cook your hot meal at noon. Cooking odors can easily transfer to fabrics. If you cook during the day your tent will have few odors attached. If you must cook in the evening, do so 300 feet and upwind from your tent. Try to keep cooking smells from drifting on the wind toward the place where you will be sleeping.
Clean Up
Leaving food out is a sure way to attract slugs in damp climates. Even a cup with a bit of leftover drink can attract them. Keep a clean camp and your will have fewer problems with pests of any kind. Don’t feed anything but your family.
Don’t Be Part of the Problem
You don’t need to be a camper that contributes to the problems of wildlife/ human encounters over food. And you don’t want your trip spoiled. Keep animals away from food while camping by being clean and keeping food secure.
Keep Animals Away from Food When Camping
Did you know that animals which become a dangerous nuisance often end up needing to be destroyed. Instead, secure any items which may be attractive, minimize odours, and be clean. You and the animals will both be happier in the long run.
