Can bears smell through odor proof bags?

Bears can smell through most bags, even the best smell-proof bags on the market. Their sense of smell is powerful, so even the best smell-proof bags aren't sufficient to stop bears from sensing food odor molecules.

Are Ziploc bags smell proof from bears?

Yes, bears can smell through Ziploc bags. This is because scent molecules can easily escape the thin plastic of the bags, and also because bears have one of the greatest senses of smell in the entire animal kingdom.

Can bears smell through mylar bags?

If a bear can't smell your food or see your food, he won't get your food. Today's freeze-dried foods have near zero moisture content (you add the water) and are sealed in odor-proof mylar foil. It's doubtful a bear can smell through the foil, but it certainly can smell you—and your hands where you handled the package.

Can bears smell through bear canisters?

Bears are thought to have the strongest sense of smell of any animal, making it nearly impossible to completely contain the scent of food, though some canisters are “smell resistant.” This is why it's important to cook and store your bear canister away (and downwind) of your tent—so you don't give bears a reason to ...

Can bears smell vacuum packed food?

Bears don't see well, especially at night, so as long as there's no food odor (there must be none), they'll leave things alone. As an added precaution, I vacuum-seal foods in plastic. Some grocery stores will vacuum-seal foods at no charge. Medical grade OPSAK bags are 100 percent odor proof and waterproof.

Bears vs. Odor Proof Bags

Can bears smell food in sealed containers?

Bears have an insatiable appetite and an amazing sense of smell, and they consider anything with a scent to be "food." This can include canned goods, bottles, drinks, soaps, cosmetics, toiletries, trash, ice chests, sunscreen, bug repellant, fuel, items used for preparing or eating meals, etc.

Do wind chimes keep bears away?

Wind chimes do not have any effect on bears. Bears are more than capable of hearing the wind and rain all around them, so they will ignore your wind chimes, whether they're made from metal or plastic.

Do bear bags work?

In a best-case scenario (i.e., a skilled hanger, a light food load, favorable trees nearby, and no mistakes), hanging a bear bag takes about 15 minutes. But it rarely works out that way. Why? Most backpackers have limited hanging skills and experience and are therefore inefficient.

How do backpackers protect food from bears?

Use resealable bags instead of bottles, jars, and cans. Force air out of bags or packages. Carry food and garbage in plastic bags to contain crumbs and grease that can leave odors in your backpack. Bear-resistant containers only work if they are closed and locked.

Can bears smell frozen food?

Bears, said Gustafson, can smell the frozen contents of a freezer from half a mile away. And if it's not locked, it's dinner – potentially a deadly dinner.

How do you bear proof food hiking?

To be bear-proof, food must be suspended at least 10 feet off the ground and 8 feet from the trunk of a tree. To accomplish this by creating a bear bag, you'll need to arry 50 to 100 feet of thin cord and two stuff sacks. Look for a load-bearing branch 20 to 25 feet overhead that extends far enough from the trunk.

Are dry bags bear proof?

To be completely safe, hang smell-proof and dry bags. The bag should be 12 feet off the ground and 4 feet away from the tree trunk. On the AT, that usually means tossing a line over a branch, hoisting the food bag in the air, and tying the line to a tree.

Do Opsak bags work?

On its own, an Opsak is an inadequate method of overnight food protection. It's best considered an enhancement to a more reliable method. Specifically, an Opsak can be used to line an Ursack Major or Ursack Minor to make it less detectable or less interesting to a bear or rodent.

How big should a bear bag be?

If you're carrying bulkier food, you may need to consider a 20-30L bag. Exceeding 20L usually makes the contents too heavy for the bag to be hung, though. You'll want to consider splitting into two 20-30L bags at that point. Another consideration is that most backpackers carry around a 50-60L backpack.

What smell do bears hate?

Bears Dislike the Scent of Anything Pine Related – Including Pine Oil. While bears love anything sweet (yes, even honey) they have often been found to steer clear of anything pine-scented. Bears dislike the scent of any pine-scented cleaners that contain pine.

Does human urine repel bears?

Stephen Herrero's book Bear Attacks: Their Causes and Avoidance, considered the definitive work by many authorities, says “human excrement/urine attracts bears and should not be near your campsite.” The National Park Service promotes that belief as well, adding that the salt in urine attracts wild animals (including ...

Does dog poop attract bears?

Yes, dog poop can attract bears to your camp site. Bears smell everything, including the undigested bits of food in your dog's poop.

What foods attract bears?

Some scents that attract bears include bird feeders, pet food, garbage, boneyards, food scraps, beehives, roadkill, water sources, fruit trees, berry bushes, and other bears. Bears aren't always welcome in our yards, especially when they get into things they're not supposed to.

What are bear bags made of?

Not everyone wants to carry around a bear bag, so many hikers prefer to use a basic stuff sack for hanging their food. These sacks are usually made from Dyneema (formerly 'Cuben Fiber') or ripstop nylon. They are waterproof, and lightweight but not durable enough to withstand a hungry bear.

What is the proper way to hang a bear bag?

Ideally, the bear bag should hang ten feet away from the trunk and 15 feet above the ground. Hold the loosely coiled rope slack in one hand and throw rock above the sturdy branch. Once you've got the cord over the branch, hoist your food bag up with the free end. Tie off the free end to the tree trunk.

What will deter bears?

Some sources recommend ammonia-filled balloons covered with honey or peanut butter as a deterrent; theoretically when the bear tries to bite the balloon, it gets a face full of ammonia instead of a treat. But an eyeful of ammonia or bleach is more than a deterrent – it can seriously injure or blind a bear.

How do you stop bears from attracting?

Never intentionally feed bears or other wild animals. Always keep garbage cans in a garage or sturdy building until collection day. Take down seed and hummingbird feeders until winter. Remove pet food from wildlife accessible areas, and feed pets inside.

Can bears smell through Mason jars?

They are not scent proof either. As for glass…. I have known of people who carried it. It is heavy, bulky and runs the real risk of breaking.