Four Mistakes Backpackers Make With Food in Bear Country

Four Mistakes Backpackers Make With Food in Bear Country

Are you planning a backpacking trip in bear country? Avoid attracting bears to your campsite by learning from these common mistakes! In this video, I’ll cover four crucial errors that many backpackers make when handling food in bear territory: careless handling of food and wrappers on the trail, improper storage of food and scented items overnight, cooking and eating where you sleep, and leaving trash and food waste behind.

I’ll share practical tips to keep your gear scent-free, store food safely, and ensure your campsite remains clean. Let’s make the outdoors safer for everyone, including the bears!

If you found this video helpful, please like, subscribe, and share it with fellow backpackers. Have a mistake or experience to share? Leave a comment below. Thanks for watching!

Chapters:
00:00 Introduction
00:12 Mistake 1 – Careless Handling
01:15 Mistake 2 – Improper Storage
02:20 Mistake 3 – Cooking Where You Sleep
03:00 Mistake 4 – Leaving Trash Behind
03:31 Review

Disclosure: if you buy something through product “links” below, I may get a small share of the sale. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. You don’t pay anything extra by using these “links”.

Some of the gear included in this video:

Osprey Exos 48L backpack
https://amzn.to/45nWrsH

Big Agnes Tiger Wall UL2 Tent
https://amzn.to/3KxAu2g

Enlightened Equipment Revelation 40°F quilt
https://enlightenedequipment.com/revelation-sleeping-quilt/

Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite sleeping pad
https://amzn.to/3OujZFb

Snow Peak Mini Solo 2.0 cook set
https://amzn.to/450Ln4S

UDAP bear canister
https://amzn.to/440yczA

Video clips featured in this video:


Cephas, CC BY-SA 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0, via Wikimedia Commons


Cephas, CC BY-SA 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0, via Wikimedia Commons


Cephas, CC BY-SA 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0, via Wikimedia Commons


Kameron Perensovich, CC BY-SA 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

https://pixabay.com/videos/black-bear-bear-canada-yukon-3343/
brigachtal

#Backpacking #BearCountry #OutdoorSafety #LeaveNoTrace #HikingTips

16 Comments

  1. @golDroger88 on August 8, 2025 at 1:32 pm

    1:26 Tell that to anti-guns geniuses hahaha.

  2. @Fender1031 on August 8, 2025 at 1:32 pm

    We tested Smellyproof and Smellyproof HD on our SAR and cadaver dogs and they failed. Marketing ploy. If a dog can find a persons sock in one of those bags I would not trust them to hide smells.

  3. @cherylaversano4885 on August 8, 2025 at 1:32 pm

    Well that was your best delivery yet!! Confident, engaging and perfect eye contact. Be like this always and you’ll be my number one speaker 😉

  4. @CameronVirrill on August 8, 2025 at 1:34 pm

    Specific, clear, and comprehensive. Thank you.

  5. @treybargatze6419 on August 8, 2025 at 1:35 pm

    Great video!

  6. @TheNoobHiker on August 8, 2025 at 1:35 pm

    Can’t count how many YT videos I have watched of AT thru hikers talking about sleeping with their food. It really isn’t always the bears, it’s the other critters and rodents that will destroy your food or gear getting to the food also.

  7. @TalesFromAbroad-SJ on August 8, 2025 at 1:46 pm

    Great tips for staying safe in bear country! 🐻 It’s so important to handle food properly when backpacking in these areas. I’ve definitely learned a few things I’ll keep in mind for my next trip. Thanks for sharing this helpful advice – it’s super useful for anyone heading out into bear territory! 🚶‍♂🎒

    Cheers,
    Simon – Tales From Abroad

  8. @jfowler on August 8, 2025 at 1:50 pm

    Learn some expert tips on using bear canisters here 👉 https://youtu.be/zFUms1F8rQ4

  9. @robz4825 on August 8, 2025 at 1:57 pm

    Fairly new backpacker/camper. What do you recommend to do with leftovers/food scraps? (steak fat, bread, oils/butters, pan drippings etc) TIA

  10. @hologos_ on August 8, 2025 at 2:00 pm

    I can’t believe I’ve just watched such an informative video that is just 4 minutes long. 🤯

  11. @1001RMJ on August 8, 2025 at 2:00 pm

    Solid advice. I live in NJ (no shortage of bears here) and see a lot of first timers at the shelters/campsites. As such, the mess they leave behind always saddens me. When I can, I politely educate them. Another tip for smellables, store them downwind from the campsite if possible – you don’t want a hungry bear going through your site to get to the yummy smells.

  12. @joannsmith9 on August 8, 2025 at 2:07 pm

    Some very important information was shared in this video that could save the life of hikers! You can never be too careful!! And just because you haven’t had a bear encounter yet—doesn’t mean you won’t ever. You didn’t comment on bear spray—do you carry that?

  13. @Oldsparkey on August 8, 2025 at 2:07 pm

    Florida is my camping area and it has a large Black Bear Population. In all my years I have never had a Bear problem but Raccoons are a different story. There is a reason they have a mask and love to make hit and run ,food runs. They are the best reason to never have food or aromatic items in your tent. Had a comedy show one evening with a bandit trying his best to get into the hard sided food container. He did everything and finally gave up after about 30 minutes.

  14. @smooth73074 on August 8, 2025 at 2:08 pm

    Will alcohol-based hand sanitizer attract Bears?

  15. @LucianaTiberio on August 8, 2025 at 2:10 pm

    What do you do with cooking gear? Do you put those in cans too?

  16. @orion7741 on August 8, 2025 at 2:14 pm

    its not "shocking" to sleep with your food.. jeez, fear monger much??? there is absolutely NO NEED to put your food away from your tent or where you are sleeping. I have hiked 2 long distance trails and over 8,000 miles and have never slept apart from my food. it is ALWAYS with me in my backpack right by my head. sure there has been a couple times bear and racoon have came up to me in the night, but a loud scream and good hard punch scared them away. stop spreading your own insecurities and your fear mongering! you are not doing anybody any good….

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