Bear Proof?

racoon · 01-30-2012, 01:11 PM

OK, this may be a stupid question, but I am a woman, and I'm terrified of bear attacks. Are there any sleeping bags on the market that are bear proof? Would a bear even bother one at night in a camp. I don't trust wild animals.

ChadTower · 01-30-2012, 01:22 PM

Maybe a small car. A little bit of good practice and you're not going to have many problems with bears.

racoon · 01-30-2012, 02:04 PM

Oh, thanks ChadTower! It looks like I'll be sleeping in my small car with the keys in the ignition, ready for a quick get away, since good practices aren't foolproof with bears!

ghostdog · 01-30-2012, 02:14 PM

The bears in the high country in Yosemite used to be able to break into cars and trucks in the camp grounds there. It was like Spam in a can to them.

rayne · 01-30-2012, 02:58 PM

I would go for something larger than a small car. Just remember there is safety in numbers and a good camp fire wouldn't hurt either. Good luck!

IndianaHiker · 01-30-2012, 03:06 PM

Bears generally are not a problem if you use some good practices. First all foods and smellables should be hung in a bear bag or in a bear canister. This should be done some distance from camp. Also remember to never cook or prepare meals in camp this should also be done a distance from camp. You should also have clean cloths that no food as been spilled on to sleep in. All cloths that have been worn when you eat should go into the bear bag or canister. Remember no foods in the tent or under the tarp which ever you sleep in. In general bears are not interested in you. They will only be interested in food that you have around. Sure that you will get more advice from others that have spent more time in areas with bears than I have. Here are some pretty good tips.
Tips on Bear Safety While Backpacking from LowerGear Rentals

IndianaHiker · 01-30-2012, 03:07 PM

Oh forgot you question. No there is no sleeping bags that are bear proof and neither is a car. The best thing is not to give them a reason to want to be near you.

Grandpa · 01-30-2012, 03:12 PM

Bears want one thing.....Food. Bears do not want a fight....with humans. Bears will fight with humans to get food or to protect itself or its young. The very very rare bear that decides a human is food is extremely rare. Sleep away from food and you will be okay. Protect the next person to camp in that spot by taking care of your food and keeping it from bears, either by hanging from a tree or by using bear cannisters or food boxes if available.

Bear food includes all typical foodstuffs, food wrappers, clothes used to prepare food, equipment used to prepare food, hygiene products such as toothpaste, etc, and just about anything else with odors. When camping in bear country, think triangle, with campfire, food storage, and sleeping quarters at the 3 points of that triangle, all 100 yards or so away from each other. After making sure you have no hidden chewing gum, jerky bits, or candy wrappers with you in the sleeping area, sleep like a baby with no cares whatsoever.

ChadTower · 01-30-2012, 03:36 PM

...and yet, on Man Woman Wild last night, the idiots picked up a bunch of huge fish they called salmon (they weren't) and cooked them up right in their camp in the middle of Grizzly country. Then they acted surprised when something came sniffing around their shelter that night. You would think such experienced survivalists would know better...

Lamebeaver · 01-30-2012, 09:15 PM

You've gotten some good advice so far. Bears that are likely to be a problem are going to be found around towns, where they've become habituated to garbage and in popular campgrounds.

You are highly unlikely to even see a bear in the backcountry, and those you do see will be more afraid of you than you are of them.

Don't store food in your tent, or keep any accessable nearby unless it's hanging or in a bear bag. Don't sleep in the clothes you were wearing when you cooked or ate dinner. You'll be fine.