[Awkray-ven]

It comes to my attention that my pack is missing a means to keep food away from bears (or other smaller critters who chew). The Ursack seems really appealing to me for pack-ability and for size/weight. However I keep hearing about how some places it's not approved, which concerns me a little, as I'm not sure what happens if you use an Ursack when it's not approved, so I have some questions. When they say that an Ursack isnt approved, is that only for keeping it low on the ground? If you manage to hang it properly, does it not matter what the bag is? How do people pack hard sided bear canisters? They seem overly bulky and heavy. Is strapping them to the outside of your pack a viable option?

[Ski]

you can get a zip-up bag that holds the hard-sided canister and the bag has provisions on it so it can be strapped to the top of a pack. I suppose if the pack were large enough you could just insert the whole canister, but they're pretty big. regulations around here vary from place to place. canisters aren't required everywhere in Washington. please don't buy into the "bear freak-out" hype. prudence and reasonable caution are in order. obsessing about it isn't necessary. if you plan to go hiking along the coast, by all means get a canister (because of the raccoons, not bears.) most everywhere else around here hanging works for most people, I think. ... and I think more people here will tell you they've lost food to rodents than the people here who have lost food to bears. YMMV

[Awkray-ven]

Good to know that hanging is usually enough. Before I moved from the mid west, most of my day hiking and other such trips were usually done in Upper Michigan, and at a relative's cabin we did have a bear steal all the food out of our cooler, off the porch, plus the property had lots of bear sign. Not having had a chance to do a ton of proper scouting/day hikes yet this year, I haven't had a chance to make my own assessment of how much bear sign there is out there in the cascades and such.

[Token Civilian]

Ursack isn't approved by the Sierra Interagency Bear Working Group. These are the ones who say what is "approved" or not since many parts of California have mandatory bear safe food storage requirements. https://www.sierrawild.gov/bears In Washington, a proper hanging bear bag is usually sufficient for both bears and the snafflehounds that like to chew into your food. If you are intending on going into "real" bear country (California, or grizz country) I'd personally get an approved canister. I use the BearVault 500 where required since I gear toward the week long trips. The 450 would be a good choice for shorter trips. Around here, I usually just hang the food.

[Gregory]

Here is a link to the Olympic National park requirements, basically the places you need a canister. https://www.nps.gov/olym/planyourvisit/wilderness-food-storage.htm#CP_JUMP_30421

[moonspots]

[wildernessed]

[moonspots]

[Schroder]

NCNP pushes canisters but they have lots of loaners - you have to leave a deposit.

[DIYSteve]

[Malachai Constant]

Yosemite and Sequoia/Kings Canyon require hard sided NFS vary. Usually use Ursack in Wa and Rockies. Note you do not hang Ursack like a bear bag you tie it to a tree, follow instructions if you do not do it right coons can untie.

[Awkray-ven]

Does properly hanging a bag take the replacement of a hard sided container though? It does sound like for most hiking here in Washington the Ursack is probably sufficient to keep things out, especially the smaller things that aren't bears, but still want to eat my food.