Bears can really be problematic. When all else fails, I suppose the
Bear-cure devised by some fishing guides around Yakutat, Alaska during
one year of particular bad bear activity, could be applied.

Several strips of smoked bacon were wrapped and tied around a can of
engine-start either and kept unfrozen but chilled, in sealed freezer
bags to reduce odors.

When a bear came into the camp, the bear bomb was tossed and when the
bear bit the can the either escaped with a rush into the mouth and nose
of the bear, totally discouraging  any inclination whatsoever to forage
the camp for days after.

Regards,

John Rodgers
88 GL Driver
Larry Chase wrote:

>John,
>
>First of all .... Thank you taking the time to email and offer
>encouragement.
>
>Notes like this provide a great deal of inspiration and motivation to
>keep on trucking :)
>
>Secondly, you bring up a very good point and one of concern.
>
>This past year I've traveled from Baja, Mexico to Chicken, Alaska, much
>of the Yukon, BC and parts of Alberta.
>
>Any much of it has been in wild back country rather than developed
>campgrounds.
>
>As you can imagine, I've been in a fair amount of bear country.
>
>"be sure to keep anything that might attract Yogi & company (that
>includes scented stuff like deodorant) well away from the RoadHaus,"
>
>That has posed a real problem ....
>
>When one is traveling and living fulltime in one of these rigs, you end
>up with stuff stashed into every available nock and cranny.
>
>Reality ... it's darn near impossible to remove everything each night
>that might attract one of these noble beasts.
>
>Of course I do sensible things like not Popping the Top and not leaving
>trash and such outside.
>
>I've talked with a fair amount of Rangers and Outdoors people about what
>to do.
>
>In short ... I have not identified the perfect solution.
>
>What I do.
>
>1. Put out an outside spot light that can be turned on from inside the
>Van.
>- Will scare away some critters when turned on
>
>2. Keep my Car Alarm Remote handy so I can activate the ear Piercing
>Alarm.
>- Will scare away some critters when turned on
>
>3. Keep the Van ready for a quick getaway in the middle of the night.
>- Keys in the ignition and pointed at a good evacuation route
>
>Other that those things, I'm a little stumped.
>
>Suggestions most welcome.
>
>
>
>Larry Chase
>Email: RoadGuy@RoadHaus.com
>Web: WWW.RoadHaus.com
>Cell:  408.202.1217
>What: North American Road Trip
>How: RoadHaus - 1990 White VW Westfalia Syncro
>Today: Florida
>
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: John F.
>Sent: Saturday, February 14, 2004 2:26 AM
>To: Larry Chase
>Subject: Re: Antifreeze and pests and pets
>
>Clipped >>>>
>
>Anyhow, just wanted to drop one quick note.  Living near bear country as
>
>I do (Yosemite, CA), be careful stashing food and any other scented
>items that may attract critters inside of the van.  Nutria are harmless
>enough, and their maneuvering for your foodstuffs makes for great
>storytelling.  But animals of greater capacity are just as intersted in
>what you might have stuffed away and won't stop at just scurrying up the
>
>side of the van to get at things.  If you're ever in bear country, be
>sure to keep anything that might attract Yogi & company (that includes
>scented stuff like deodorant) well away from the RoadHaus, or you might
>get an uninvited (albeit furry and warm) visitor.
>
><<<< Clipped
>
>
>