Hammocks and Bears

**Ashman** · 02-01-2009, 10:20

My ground dwelling hiking friends call me bear taco but I not worry!

**SGT Rock** · 02-01-2009, 10:24

It's funny when people worry about things that have no basis in reality. My friends worry about bears, snakes, and deranged hillbillies whenever I go. Being in a hammock doesn't even register on them as being any more dangerous than just going up there.

**Manwich** · 02-01-2009, 10:30

I have a crazy-irrational fear of bears, despite spending many many nights in the woods.

I would not backpack if I never found the perfect earplugs.

**quietly** · 02-01-2009, 17:10

Originally Posted by SGT Rock

It's funny when people worry about things that have no basis in reality. My friends worry about bears, snakes, and deranged hillbillies whenever I go. Being in a hammock doesn't even register on them as being any more dangerous than just going up there.

So true.. Relax, that's why you are in the woods right?

**Kanati** · 02-01-2009, 17:29

Originally Posted by SGT Rock

It's funny when people worry about things that have no basis in reality. My friends worry about bears, snakes, and deranged hillbillies whenever I go. Being in a hammock doesn't even register on them as being any more dangerous than just going up there.

It never crosses my mind, but my wife won't hike with me in some places because she is afraid of bears. And no matter how hard I try I cannot convince her the risk of a bear attack is lower than the possibility of getting struck by lightning. The last incident of the lady school teacher getting killed in the Smokies about 2-3 years ago put a fear in her that cannot be overcome.

**Gaiter** · 02-01-2009, 18:47

if you don't sleep with food its not an issue, if you sleep w/ food, then you are going to be bear burrito

**Jim Adams** · 02-01-2009, 19:54

Don't fear the bear, fear the other drivers on the way to the trail head!

geek

**Chappy** · 02-01-2009, 20:06

We had more bear problems than normal this year in GSMNP. One serious attack, lots of bluff charges reported, even some who claim bears were following them off trail. Had several to relocate.

**nufsaid** · 02-01-2009, 20:15

Originally Posted by Gaiter

if you don't sleep with food its not an issue, if you sleep w/ food, then you are going to be bear burrito

Don't sleep with food. Sleep with a shotgun and buckshot.

**Kanati** · 02-01-2009, 23:14

Originally Posted by Chappy

We had more bear problems than normal this year in GSMNP. One serious attack, lots of bluff charges reported, even some who claim bears were following them off trail. Had several to relocate.

Are you talking about the child that was bit, and didn't that happened about 8/12 on the south end of the park some place. I was closing up a gap in my incompleted thru from NF Gap to Derek Knob shelter when some section hikers told me about it.

My wife and I have been day hiking the Smokies since 1970 and it's just been in recent years that she has gotton so insecure about it.

**bredler** · 02-02-2009, 15:56

Pshhh, wieners.

I joke about being a bear taco, but never really worry about it...haven't been to GSMNP which I hear is a big area for nuisance bears, but I think I would feel pretty comfy there if I bagged my food 20 yards or so away. I have trouble sleeping outside for the first three nights or so, then I'm cool with it and drift off pretty quick every night.

**Mzee** · 02-03-2009, 15:08

I can't speak for the east coast bears, but I've seen a Chevy Nova with the passenger side rear window frame peeled down and bent flat against the side of the car by a black bear. Across the parking lot was a Honda with the driver's side rear door pried open and the rear seat back torn out so he could get into the trunk. Getting into those cars was no more of a challenge to that bear than getting into a can of peaches with a can opener is to us. This was in Sequoia National Park in California. In both cases, the bear was after a small bit of food flavored trash (a napkin and a banana peel). So, hammock or tent doesn't matter; sleep however you want. In many parts of the Sierra it is a requirement to store anything and everything that has a scent away from the sleeping area, either in a bear box or bear canister. Hang your food at your own risk... Sierra bears love a challenge.

**JaxHiker** · 02-03-2009, 19:31

Originally Posted by Totem

Just use earplugs. If you can't hear it, it doesn't exist.

This is what I told my buddies. We had a black bear next to our site in Sept. I just crawled into my hammock and listened to my MP3 player.

I've seen what bears can do to a vehicle. If you aren't safe there than worrying about it in a tent/hammock isn't going to do much.

**Wise Old Owl** · 02-04-2009, 21:54

Originally Posted by SGT Rock

It's funny when people worry about things that have no basis in reality. My friends worry about bears, snakes, and deranged hillbillies whenever I go. Being in a hammock doesn't even register on them as being any more dangerous than just going up there.

Your freinds might be right!

**Gaiter** · 02-05-2009, 02:37

Originally Posted by nufsaid

Don't sleep with food. Sleep with a shotgun and buckshot.

no need for the shotgun and buckshot, just don't sleep w/ food its that simple

**mtnkngxt** · 02-05-2009, 08:48

Don't worry about bears. Do what all great hikers do pitch your tarp and hammock 40 yards from the nearest tent with a foodbag pillow.

**randyg45** · 02-05-2009, 18:34

Originally Posted by Totem

in october i stayed near wildcat shelter in NY and a flock of deer came running through in the middle of the night and detached one of my fellow hiker's guylines

In 1970 near Mary Lake in YNP I stampeded a covey of buffalo. Glad our tent wasn't in the direction they chose to run.

**Desert Reprobate** · 02-05-2009, 19:14

Hide your food bag in a neighbor's tent. Hanging will be safe.

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