Bear Canisters Required in RMNP

Clever and dangerous bears spur canister requirements for overnight campers

Bears like people food. They like it so much, in fact, that they chew through ropes to bring down bear bags, steal backpacks full of yummy snacks, and maul anything in your campsite that remotely smells of treats.

This rampant bear problem has left rangers in Rocky Mountain National Park with no choice: Beginning on Friday, May 1, all park overnighters will be required to carry a bear canister.

Touting the phrase "A fed bear is a dead bear" on their Web site, the park points out that once a bear develops a palate for human food, the animal often becomes a chronic problem and must be removed. Even the most experienced and well-meaning campers can run into bear trouble—in 2003, two men were seriously injured by a bear accustomed to rummaging for food even though they had stored it correctly.

Bear canisters aren't cheap—they can set you back anywhere from $50 to $80—and can take up precious room in your bag. They are generally pretty lightweight considering their durability, however, and are available to rent at sporting goods stores near trailheads, like The Warming House in Estes Park, for as little as $4.

Never used a bear canister before? Watch the experts at BACKPACKER keep hungry bears away from their food in this how-to video.

—Morgan Keys

Park requires bear-proof canisters for hikers (AP)

Image credit: Carly & Art

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READERS COMMENTS

Agreed - a population of 20-25 bearsw- the last injury in 2003 and we find over regulation. I am going on a trip soon - There is an ammo box at the backcountry site I am going to, but I must carry a cannister? I don't want to buy one, so I have to rent. In Yosemite - where there is a real threat, you can rent the cannisters for $4 for 2 weeks and mail them back. I will have to stop in Estes Park to rent - then return back through Estes Park to return - all during business hours - ridiculous. If they are required (and they shouldn't be), they should be available for rent at the permit pick-up points!
Posted: Jul 01, 2009 Craig

I have backpaked many times in locations with many many more bears than you will encounter in RMNP. I responsibly hang my food and have never had a problem. I am disappointed RMNP has retreated to this solution. I choose to live in Estes Park to enjoy the backcountry. Part of that enjoyment comes from the lack of weight I carry in my small pack. They already have ammo boxes in some backcountry sites - like Thunder Lake. If they were so concerned about backpacker safety, why not install ammo boxes at all backcoutry sites instead of forcing a rule on those of us that take part in ultralight backpacking and behave responsibly.
Posted: May 11, 2009 -m-

So when was the last time RMNP destroyed a bear?
Posted: May 05, 2009 SB