Bear Bag & Food Storage Card
Bears that get human food become habituated and must be euthanized. Hanging your food correctly takes 10 minutes and protects both your trip and the bear.
Goes in the Bear Bag
- All food — packaged, fresh, cooked, or partially eaten
- Food wrappers, foil, and cooking waste
- Cooking pots, utensils, plates with food residue
- Toothpaste, lip balm, chapstick
- Soap, hand sanitizer, sunscreen, bug spray
- Pet food and water bowls
- Empty water bottles that held flavored drinks
- Scented candles, air fresheners, baby wipes
Stays Out (Safe in Tent)
- Water (unflavored)
- Prescription medications (keep in tent pocket, ask ranger if unsure)
- Empty pots rinsed clean and aired out
Bear Canister Sizing
1 night — 450–500 cu in per person2–3 nights — 650–700 cu in per person
4–7 nights — 900+ cu in per person
Required by permit in some wilderness areas. Check before you go.
PCT Counter-Balance Hang Method
- Rope50–70 ft of 550 paracord. Attach to bag with a bowline.
- Find the branchAt least 20 ft high, 10 ft from trunk, 4 inches thick — enough to support ~20 lbs.
- Throw one end overTie a stick or rock to the throw end. Aim for 5–6 ft out from the trunk.
- Attach first bagClip the food bag to the rope as high as you can reach.
- Attach second weightTie the second bag or a counterweight to the free end, same height as the food bag.
- Push up with a stickUse a long stick to push the bags up until they're equal height, at least 12 ft off the ground.
- Retrieve in the morningHook the lower bag with a stick or trekking pole to pull it down.