bear question from a newbie

[slick trick]

Do y'all take you food out of your packs and hang overnight just so they don't tear your packs up. I will be hunting in the South San Juan's during archery season this year. Reason I asked is we had a bear come in on the Flat Tops and tear everything up and ran 9 horses off about 2 miles back down the mountain, and we never woke up. This year there are no horses just 4 of use and we will all have enough food for 4 nights each before return to truck to refill. I have been told there are quite large population of bears in that area........

[Passin Thru]

YUP! Hang the pack over a limb. Never had a bear in camp. I suppose it could happen.

[husky390]

I will store my food and cook a distance from my tent. I think DOW recommends 50 or 100 yards (can't remember) but the main thing is I keep it away from camp. Last thing I want is a bear to come in and tear up my gear. I've got too much money invested in that stuff.

Check DOW's website for leftover bear tags. We have a serious bear problem right now. In fact I just read that the forest service shut down the Maroon Bells campground due to idiot campers leaving food out. I'm going to buy a tag, which definitely means I wont see a bear.

[TENFIVE]

I won't keep food in my backpack over night. In addition to bears, mice will chew into and ruin expensive backpacks. We've had them sniff out Cliffbars that were in the backpack and unopened. As long as you get the pack off of the ground, such as on an chair with aluminum or plastic legs, you should be safe from mice.

[Pop-r]

I would bet it VERY unlikely you have any trouble with bears no matter what you do with your food if anything.

[Passin Thru]

I've been around NM-Co since 1966 and never seen a bear. My wife saw a Sow and 2 Cubs run across I 81 in Pa but the only one I've ever seen was on I 79 in Pa and it could run straight up faster than a dog.

[dotman]

I've been around NM-Co since 1966 and never seen a bear. My wife saw a Sow and 2 Cubs run across I 81 in Pa but the only one I've ever seen was on I 79 in Pa and it could run straight up faster than a dog.

How is that possible, just last year during archery we saw 2 bears min in the South San Juan's each day. Had 3 under 60 yards and 1 at less then 20 yards. Have had them pass next to my tent and you could hear them run off.

I always keep food out of camp and hung, like husky, this gear is too expensive to not take all precautions to safe guard it that you can. Many sleep with their food and have zero issues but that is just until they have an issue, then either their stuff is trashed or a bear is needlessly killed.

[zpd307]

I have only seen 3 bears and luckily we haven't had any problems with them in camp...

[Clawsar]

I've also always hung my food. Fish and game here recommend da a triangle. Cook, camp, and hang food 100 yards from each other. We usually include tooth paste/brush and any medicines that have a smell. Never had a bear wake me up but they are always close and often see some sign. Over Memorial Day the sign was some tooth and claw marks on our bikes (stashed a couple miles back at the end of the trail). Made for a rough ride out but a fun story.

[slick trick]

I've been around NM-Co since 1966 and never seen a bear. My wife saw a Sow and 2 Cubs run across I 81 in Pa but the only one I've ever seen was on I 79 in Pa and it could run straight up faster than a dog.

How is that possible, just last year during archery we saw 2 bears min in the South San Juan's each day. Had 3 under 60 yards and 1 at less then 20 yards. Have had them pass next to my tent and you could hear them run off.

I always keep food out of camp and hung, like husky, this gear is too expensive to not take all precautions to safe guard it that you can. Many sleep with their food and have zero issues but that is just until they have an issue, then either their stuff is trashed or a bear is needlessly killed.

Dang that's not really what I wanted to hear,but more reason to bye a bear tag I guess.....

[dotman]

I've been around NM-Co since 1966 and never seen a bear. My wife saw a Sow and 2 Cubs run across I 81 in Pa but the only one I've ever seen was on I 79 in Pa and it could run straight up faster than a dog.

How is that possible, just last year during archery we saw 2 bears min in the South San Juan's each day. Had 3 under 60 yards and 1 at less then 20 yards. Have had them pass next to my tent and you could hear them run off.

I always keep food out of camp and hung, like husky, this gear is too expensive to not take all precautions to safe guard it that you can. Many sleep with their food and have zero issues but that is just until they have an issue, then either their stuff is trashed or a bear is needlessly killed.

Dang that's not really what I wanted to hear,but more reason to bye a bear tag I guess.....

It's all in the elevation you hunt, if you go up high around tree line you probably will not see a bear. I hunt from 7500 - 10k usually and that is where all the berries and acorns are.

I was just out there last week the berry crop is non existent so my bet is all the Bears are down low in the acorns, stay above the oak brush and you probably will not see one this year.

[jmez]

I would hang all food. It is simple and takes just a few seconds. Bear gets into your stuff you'll be walking back to re stock as well as have a bunch of torn up gear. You will also need to find a new camp as you just gave the bear very good reason to return.