[philmont] Bear Boxes

Last summer at Indian Writings, there were no (or very few "somewhere else")
bear cables. Hence, we carried our bags to a steel dumpster near the staff
cabin, which served as a central bear box.

However, in general, many of the camp areas are very spread out. Consider
Ponil, for example. Almost every campsite is a good day's hike from the
staff cabin. I think are all about 1000 feet higher, as well. A
centralized "bear box" concept would fail there, as well as at many other
camps.

As for the portable bear "canisters," they're expensive, and heavier than
two ropes and some burlap bags. In addition, I doubt one canister could
hold one hiker's share of a four-day food pickup, in addition to the other
smellables.

I don't think Philmont is "years behind" in the bear management game. It
is, rather, a testament to Philmont that the "old" technique of bear bags
still works, when bear bagging has failed in almost every park frequented by
people and bears.

Regards,

/Neal

On 1/18/07, Lou Schwing <lou@troop288.org> wrote:
>
>
> On Jan 18, 2007, at 2:59 PM, Terry Pogue wrote:
>
> > There is a whole industry out there that makes all kinds of bear
> > proof containers; some are for trash in suburban areas that have
> > increasing bear populations.
>
> There was a bear in our local mountains that figured out how to open
> the "bear proof" trash cans. Basically, all he did was hit it so
> hard, the lid would spring open. The trash cans, and the bear, have
> been removed.
>
> > The western campsite boxes are pretty clever. I was very surprised
> > to see all the tree damage done by the improperly attached cables
> > to trees and the damage done by crew ropes; I think PSR is 10 to 12
> > years behind most bear management food programs.
>
> The Tetons require canisters, but they also provide bear boxes in all
> the group sites. That was very handy!
>
> > Don't ask crews to bring the bear-proof cannisters, put in the
> > steel boxes.
>
> It would be expensive, because of all the camp sites. But there
> would be a way to centralize some of the boxes and eliminate the need
> for one at every site. They're pretty hardy too - they'd last quite
> a while!
>
> Lou
>
>
>
>
>
>
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As you gather around this virtual campfire with fellow
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loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient,
cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean and reverent.
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Received on Thu Jan 18 18:32:14 2007