Am I the only one who has actually car camped in Alaska here? Please let's get serious. There are campgrounds all over the state where people camp and store food in their car without incident year after year. Almost everyone in Alaska campgrounds takes the issue seriously and secures their food because EVERYONE knows it is a serious issue in Alaska. I cannot count the number of nights I've tent camped in Alaska without incident over 5 years sleeping out almost every night, only recently moving to the RV. We camp in campgrounds or anywhere else we can find and backpacking too. And yes, we kept food in our car when car camping. All campgrounds in Alaska have detailed notices of rules to follow to secure your food, just follow them and you will be fine. As campground host at Denali State Park in 2008 the worst incident we had was a couple in a MH came out for coffee one morning and a black bear came up to their table. The couple abandoned their coffee so the bear drank the man's coffee and left the wife's alone. Turns out the man had put sugar in his.
Bottom line is people camp all over Alaska all the time - don't be frightened off by those too afraid to venture out or stories of people mauled because their unleashed dogs got in a tangle with a bear. Take the time to learn the facts and gain some experience - you will be fine.
If you get as can of Bear Spray there are two sizes, Get the larger one. The spray will reach out 35 feet, but will empty in 5 – 6 seconds.
Don’t get just any pepper spray. If it’s used for safety from humans it may be diluted, and only an annoyance for a bear.
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’97 Ford F-250 HD 460ci, Banks Power Pak, Redi-Kamp Tow Conversion
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Good Sam (+ERS), Escapees, Thousand Trails, NACO, PassPort America, GWRRA GL1500SE pulling an Eagle trailer
You don't just tree your food due to bears. There are other critters that will raise hell with your food if they get a chance. Last time we backcountry camped we hung our stuff (from bears and racoons we supposed) and were glad we did. Our camp was overrun by deer mice. We saw them come out as dusk hit and they left droppings everywhere in our "kitchen" area.
My last bear experience was on my front door step (I've had a couple). I walked out my front door as a nice big black bear was heading for it. My exclamation of surprise (not suitable for family listening) scared it off but we were within 10 feet of each other. Yes, I do live in the country.
our family has car camped with tents in Alaska for the last three summers, mostly fishing trips in the back county and some public/state campgrounds.
We've noticed a couple of things,
1. The farther into the back country the less problem bears, they are simply not used to humans=food, they are not that curious, do not bother most people, and we've seen quite a few.
2. The rangers do not generally carry bear spray, they have heavy rifles or shot-guns for bear protection
(WE ALWAYS HAVE AT LEAST ONE HEAVY RIFLE AND SHOTGUN IN OUR CAMP ALWAYS)
3. A clean camp and keping your food and "smellables" a Boy scout word, away from camp keeps bears away
4. Make some noise, let them know you're there, don't scare or surprize them
5. Raccoons and mice and most rodents are a much bigger problem than bears
This web-site http://forums.outdoorsdirectory.com/ will give you more info on Alaskan bears than you could ever want
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