Yup, definitely doesn't say that anything has to be hung, so I think you could make a strong argument in defence of an unhung Ursack, although I imagine a ranger could make an argument to the contrary, since the wording is so vague. I guess the recommendation by the manufacturer is to tie it to a tree, so if you do that you're using it appropriately. I would still be concerned about the bear getting a good chew on the bag, and seeing some reward from that. Don't know that I would want to chew on the contents of the bag once the bear is done with it, but this seems like the perfect bag to use with a bear hang. On the off chance that a bear got his claws on the bag, you wouldn't be left empty-handed and with a fed bear nearby. Really cool product testing facility, and I imagine everyone who has checked out the Ursack website has seen their video. It's a very impressive bag, that's for sure.




 

Last edited by nvm (5/15/2018 1:22 pm)

Technically an Ursack is not supposed to be hung.

The manufacturer recommends a specific procedure for using the bag. The western US parks that allow the Ursack in lieu of a Bear Canister also require the Ursack to be used in accordance with these guidelines, ie the Ursack should not be hung.

You are not supposed to hoist it via a rope system. The rope system can fail. The ropes can be cut. Even though they may never gain access to its contents, a bear could run off with your Ursack. This is one reason why parks with high numbers of problem bears insist on Bear Canisters. Bears cannot gain access to it's contents or run away with it. (ignoring the bear Yellow Yellow for now)

If you follow the manufactures instructions and your Ursack is tied properly to the crotch of a tree, a bear cannot physically remove the bag from the tree or gain access to its contents.

Still, I agree completely with some of the comments against an Ursack. There is no way for them to be completely odor free. You are putting food scents within reach of a bear. Which could potentially attract them to your campsite, where they will puzzle away with your food for some hours.

Last edited by MartinG (5/15/2018 2:40 pm)

That would be the reference in the regs ...  would the rangers consider a bear bag that's not hung to be a violation of the  "clean campsite" regs  ... no idea but it sounds like its at the officers discretion.    

My suggestion would be to at least make an attempt to hang it when you are away from the campsite and then its pretty tough for you to get a fine (you attempted due diligence) ...

Mt 2 cents ...

Methye wrote:

I seem to recall reading a trip report where someone hung their food bag from a cable set up by the park on several Joe Lake campsites due to repeated bear issues. This cable thing may spread. i wonder...

I've seen cables on campsites on Stratton Lake but they seem too low to protect food from a bear.   Great protection from racoons though!  My wife and I will be camping on Joe Lake tomorrow night so having a cable setup at the campsite would be great, especially as we will be getting in late.
 

I'm a fan of Youtuber Brian Delay's '2 cords a ring' bear hang method.   




It's similar to this illustration (which I hope I've linked properly).  

The nice thing about this method is that it uses a pulley system, so yanking up your bag isn't as hard.  As well, you don't need to find 'the' branch. Any branch will do.  The downside is that you still need to toss a rope over a high enough branch.    

Markus wrote:

You're not tricking any animal into believing there was just no food at that site.  Tying any food containment aparatus  to a tree at ground level seems much more inviting to the shorter pests that will hang around. The strap smell like your dinner, gorp, dishes etc.....  Perhaps that aparatus is in fact bear proof....  Hang your food.

This sounds reasonable. But observations do not support this theory.
 

This brings back memories of my second trip to Algonquin, a four night trip hitting Tom Thompson, Lake la Muir, Big Crow, and Dickson. On the first night I thought I would save time and hassle so I used a long series of slip knots to secure the bear hang. In the morning the scene was comical, with naked man yelling and trowing sticks at a well-fed family of raccoons until they slowly sauntered off. These Tom Thomson raccoons were experienced enough to pull on my rope undoing the slip knots and then chewing holes through the heavy vinyl MEC dry bag. After sorting out what was eaten and what was left untouched, we lost about 40% of our food.

Still, we went ahead with the trip. On the second last day we had tasty instant mashed potatoes without the flavour packet. Halfway on the Dickson-Bonfield portage my wife took a picture of me with pack on the back, perfectly balanced canoe on shoulders, shirt open due to the heat, and mussels showing that hadn't seen the light of day before ... or since. Probably lost 10 lbs on that trip. Upon exiting the park we both got large cones from Kawartha Dairy and that was the best tasting ice cream we every had. 

Last edited by solos (5/21/2018 8:40 pm)

Interesting point of view here:

https://www.cliffcanoe.com/bear-proofing-your-camp

 

Methye wrote:

Interesting point of view here:

https://www.cliffcanoe.com/bear-proofing-your-camp

 

​We don't know what happened to that site and what was burned, left on the ground, cooked (where) etc etc....  
So you cant distract pests.... hang your food.  
​When a pest (actually if) shows up....  resort to plan B.  It will likely be a chipmunk or a red squirrel.  If it is in fact the dreaded raccoon.....  or worst case scenario, a GPS collarded re-released nuisance bear from a camp fed HWY 60 campground, you will come out of the Park wishing they didn't re-release nuisance bears. 
​