Bear Canisters Required on Appalachian Trail?

Are bear canisters required on the AT, now? Not yet, but I do believe it’s on the horizon.

The USFS recently implemented a new food storage order for it’s Southern Region, which covers most of the Appalachian Trail (AT) from Georgia to Shenandoah National Park.

The order covers the AT in the following national forests:

• Georgia – Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest
• North Carolina – Nantahala National Forest and Pisgah National Forest
• Tennessee – Cherokee National Forest
• Virginia – George Washington & Jefferson National Forests

Does This Food Order Mean Bear Canisters are Required on the AT?

Short answer: No.

However, the new order does lay out very specific conditions for food “stored properly” and hefty fines and possible jail time for “violating” the order (in other words, hang your bear bag according to the order or face a stiff fine or jail time or both).

Violation of the prohibition set forth above is punishable by a fine of not more than $5,000 for an individual and $10,000 for an organization, or imprisonment for not more than six (6) months, or both. See 16 USC 551, 10 USC

USFS Order Number 08-00-00-23-02R

What is “Stored Properly?”

To satisfy the new food storage order using a bear bag or an Ursack, campers must hang the bag a minimum of 12 feet off the ground, 6 feet from the tree trunk, and 6 feet from the branch that you use to hang the bag.

You can also use “agency provided food storage, for example lockers, cable systems, poles.” Keep in mind, even if you’re using an Ursack (which markets that you don’t need to hang it), you must hang it “properly” or use agency provided food storage. Also note, that in certain areas of the Appalachian Trail you must use a bear canister, even if there is agency provided food storage lockers (such as between Jarrod Gap and Neel Gap in Georgia from March 1 to June 1).

What Must Be Stored Properly?

Backpackers and campers must also follow good bear precautions with regard to what must be properly handled and stored.

The order defines what is “food,” “animal attractant,” and “refuse.”

“Food” means any substance, which is not native to the immediate area, solid or liquid (excluding water, baled hay or hay cubes without additives), which is or may be eaten or otherwise taken into the body to sustain health or life, provide energy, or promote growth of any person or animal. “

Animal Attractant” means any substance having an odor that may attract bears, raccoons, mice, etc. including food, soft drinks, cooking grease, alcoholic beverages, canned foods, pet foods, processed livestock feed and grains, personal hygiene products, and empty food and beverage containers.

“Refuse” means any discarded material or solid waste.

USFS Order Number 08-00-00-23-02R

The order also defines “possessed properly.” This means you must also handle your backpacking food and smellables properly the entire time you’re in the outdoors, not just when you plan to “store” them for the night.

All food, animal attractants and refuse must always be acceptably stored unless it is being prepared for eating, being eaten, or being prepared for acceptable storage.

USFS Order Number 08-00-00-23-02R

Enforcement

I’ve talked with a few backpackers that have done some sections covered by the new food storage order. They say that rangers are out in the woods enforcing the new order – mainly, making sure everyone is using good bear precautions and properly hanging their bear bags. I have not heard of a fine being levied against a backpacker……yet.

I suspect that fines only come into play with egregious violations (storing food in your tent, “hanging” a bear bag a few feet off the ground, etc. However, because the order defines very specific food storage guidelines, a ranger could follow the letter of the law and issue fines for a bear bag that’s only 11′ off the ground.

Bear Canisters Required?

For me, this new food storage order essentially makes bear canisters required for these sections of the Trail. It can be very challenging to find the “perfect” bear hang set up on the Trail. Not all shelters and camp sites offer “agency-provided” food storage options. Bear canisters weigh a metric ton compared to bear bags and they’re challenging to get in your pack. It’s just not worth the risk of a $5,000 fine, for me.

Also, I believe this new order moves us closer to bear canisters being required throughout the Appalachian Trail.

Which Bear Canister?

I went with the Bear Vault BV475. I initially ordered the BV450. When I received my order, I tried to fit 5 days of food in the BV450, since my section hikes average 5 days on trail. I could just barely fit 5 days of food in the BV450. This left no room for other smellables. So, I upgraded to the BV475 and it has plenty of room for 4-5 days of food and attractants.

The Bear Vault prevents bear access to your food and attractants. However, it is NOT SMELL-PROOF or waterproof! With this in mind, I use an OPSAK (odor proof sack) inside the bear canister to provide some odor and water protection.

As stated in the new order, bear canisters must be stored a minimum of 200 feet away from camp.

I used the bear canister on a recent backpacking trip in North Carolina. I immediately noticed the added weight compared to my old Dyneema bear bag. It was very convenient at camp to just wedge it in the “Y” of a tree away from camp at the end of the evening. I also used it as a table while preparing dinner.

I’m not going to lie, though. The added weight and awkwardness of the bear canister sucks. The convenience at camp does not make up for the weight. However, my crystal ball tells me that I better just get used to using a bear canister.