Bears in the galley?

[coop74]

I dont have a teardrop, mine is a microlite extreme (see below)

My question would be, given the bears are out here now, are you not afraid of a bear(s) entering your galley in the search of food. When I motorcycle camp we put the food in bear bag or bear proof containers well away from the sleeping areas.



Anyone have that experience?

Big Coop

[citylights]

From what i have seen, improved campgrounds in bear country have bear proof containers. If they have them, use them. If they don't... Well that s why we are not camping in a tent.

[S. Heisley]

It's kind of a campground by campground sort of thing. It depends upon how timid or smart and/or aggressive the bears are. Most campgrounds do not allow food in tents but some will allow you to store your food in the car. Many are not concerned about trailers; however, some campgrounds now require that food be kept in a bear box, even if you are camping in a trailer. Campgrounds usually have the rules posted on a bulletin board or a flyer; and, if you follow the rules, you should be okay. I intentionally keep my food in easy-to-transport boxes and ice chest for the very reason of storage flexibility. I keep my food staples in a plastic tool chest that has wheels and a pull handle. Canned goods are kept in another plastic box with a lid and handles. (Bears don't usually bother with cans unless they are familiar with them and can see them, as it is hard or impossible smell the contents of a sealed can.) Always cover your ice chest with something like a towel or blanket because many bears and other animals have learned what an ice chest looks like. As an added benefit, covering the ice chest helps keep the inside cold for longer. If you are in a campground that requires food be kept in a bear box, then, your toiletries and other such "smellies" should be kept there, too.

The dimensions of many bear boxes (but not all) are:

36”D x 43”W x 28”H

Some campgrounds have hand made wooden boxes, in which case, you would probably be just as safe, keeping your food in the trailer or tow vehicle. (Many people keep their food in the tow vehicle because the tow vehicle is insured and their trailer is not.)

[S. Heisley]

It dawned on me that you might be talking about leaving a galley open and unattended. Some people do that but I would say that this is a definite "No-No!" Why tempt fate?! There are strange two legged animals that could help themselves to what's in an open galley, too. Note: A gathering of teardroppers, tearjerkers, etc might be considered a tad different; and, therefore, the galley might be left open because there are others around to help watch over their buddy's galley.

[atahoekid]

Sharon hit the nail on the head. I live in bear country and have seen the damage they can do to a house. No trailer will hold back a bear on the prowl for food. There was a guy who lived down the street and around the corner from us who had a vintage Shasta parked in front of his house. One morning I drove by on the way to work and a bear had folded the door diagonally from the top corner on the latch side down to the hinge side and then used leverage to rip the door open. That WAS a very nice vintage trailer. I also camp in bear country and NEVER EVER will I leave food or any "smellables" in the trailer. It all goes in food boxes or coolers in the bear box. I won't put it in my truck either because I've seen them destroy a vehicle to get to food. You aren't driving that vehicle home, you're getting it towed. Bears are too big and too determined to get to food to give them even a half a chance. Be Safe!!! Store It!!!

Raccoons are another story. Irritating, brazen little thieves... I respect bears, I hate raccoons

[doug hodder]

Little cups of ammonia around the campsite at night manage to keep the bears away up here. At a gathering a couple of years ago...we had food sitting in the cab of a new truck with windows down, doors open on the tears and food in the back of my truck...we also had cups of ammonia. Steve and Dan didn't...the bear cleaned out Steves cooler and broke the window in the back of Dans truck to get to his eats. Steve was camped only 30' away from me, Dan was several hundred feet away so I know the bear was roaming. The best protection against bears is put away and pick up your stuff. In a campground, they'll go for the easy pickings of someone that leaves coolers and food sitting on the picnic table. Just what's worked for me. Doug

[nevadatear]

Little cups of ammonia around the campsite at night manage to keep the bears away up here. At a gathering a couple of years ago...we had food sitting in the cab of a new truck with windows down, doors open on the tears and food in the back of my truck...we also had cups of ammonia. Steve and Dan didn't...the bear cleaned out Steves cooler and broke the window in the back of Dans truck to get to his eats. Steve was camped only 30' away from me, Dan was several hundred feet away so I know the bear was roaming. The best protection against bears is put away and pick up your stuff. In a campground, they'll go for the easy pickings of someone that leaves coolers and food sitting on the picnic table. Just what's worked for me. Doug

The bear biting into a can of pressurized whipped cream in Steve's cooler probably helped the cause a little as well. (insert smilie here of surprised bear with whipped cream on its face).

[S. Heisley]

Little cups of ammonia around the campsite at night manage to keep the bears away up here. At a gathering a couple of years ago...we had food sitting in the cab of a new truck with windows down, doors open on the tears and food in the back of my truck...we also had cups of ammonia. Steve and Dan didn't...the bear cleaned out Steves cooler and broke the window in the back of Dans truck to get to his eats. Steve was camped only 30' away from me, Dan was several hundred feet away so I know the bear was roaming. The best protection against bears is put away and pick up your stuff. In a campground, they'll go for the easy pickings of someone that leaves coolers and food sitting on the picnic table. Just what's worked for me. Doug

The bear biting into a can of pressurized whipped cream in Steve's cooler probably helped the cause a little as well. (insert smilie here of surprised bear with whipped cream on its face).

A visual of a bear with a whipped cream beard makes me chuckle!

Doug, the ammonia is a great idea! That's what coyotes do to protect whatever they don't eat...They pee in a circle around it. (I've come upon a few of those on the paths nearby.) Maybe that's sort of why it works with bears.

[coop74]

i was actually also concerned with any residual smell in the galley area. I too have seen bears coming out trailer and car windows.

What is really freaky is sleeping in a tent when one comes round.

[S. Heisley]

i was actually also concerned with any residual smell in the galley area. I too have seen bears coming out trailer and car windows.

What is really freaky is sleeping in a tent when one comes round.

...Especially when you wake up because they are sniffing the hair on your head through the tent fabric. Or, when you forget to remove the peppermint gum from your jeans pocket and the bear comes sniffing. (...Quickly buried the gum under my body. Luckily, the bear was a timid one and he went away....just a kid, then; but scared!)

[atahoekid]

Yikes. I forgot about that ammonia trick. I will pour some outside of the garage door when the bears seem to be active. Never had one come in the garage after I've done that, I can't prove that it chases away bears but I've got nothing to disprove it either. Doug seems to have proved that it does work. I still advise bear proofing your goodies.

NOTE TO SELF... BUY AMMONIA TO KEEP IN GALLEY...

[Roo Dog]

All the above makes the Aussie bush sound pretty safe. The thought of a bear snooping about the camp puts the wind up me.
The only nasty I have ever experienced whilst camping was a big black snake taking up residence in the tent whilst we were asleep.
Three blokes and a dog trying to get out through the tent fly at one time emitting more shrieks than school yard full of girls was terrible to behold.
We did manage to arrest the intruder, the dog came back after the snake had been dispatched and then the cowardly sod wrastled it for a while pretending he was the hero responsible. The dogs a hero with cowards legs.
Nah, you can have them bears.

Take it easy.

RD

Sorry to go OT.

[nevadatear]

Hey we had at least two bull snakes in Unionville. Kept slithering back and forth across the grass. Wasn't a problem, just caused a little surprised startlement every now and again. I do believe i can still hear lisa's squeal ringing in my ears! )

[nevadatear]

Hey we had at least two bull snakes in Unionville. Kept slithering back and forth across the grass. Wasn't a problem, just caused a little surprised startlement every now and again. I do believe i can still hear lisa's squeal ringing in my ears! )