Are Canoe Barrels Bear Proof? - Fresh Water Fishin

During a canoeing trip, there are many safety precautions to consider. One of the most important ones is keeping food and essentials safe from animals, and this is where canoe barrels come in handy.

With that in mind, it’s not uncommon for people to be curious about how the canoe barrel will hold up against bears.

Well, a canoe barrel is not entirely bear-proof, but it is still better than a backpack!

Let’s take an in-depth look to understand it better.

Table of Contents

What is a Canoe Barrel?

A canoe barrel is a sturdy plastic barrel with a watertight seal. In general, canoeists use it to store food and gear.

It works as a pantry to keep the food dry and safe from scavenging critters. Moreover, it can protect sensitive, fragile gear when packed carefully.

In terms of versatility, canoe barrels come in a variety of sizes and types. There is, for instance, a 30 L barrel for easy transport and a 60 L barrel for better carrying capacity.

Thus, it is a simple but effective piece of storage equipment for all canoeists.

A Little about a Canoe Barrels and Bears

If you are familiar with extended canoeing trips and campings, then you are probably aware of the relationship between canoe barrels and bears.

Usually, the canoeist will pack their paddling gear, food, and essentials in a blue watertight plastic barrel. If the barrel carries food, it will most likely give off a scent.

This scent of food is what attracts the bears!

Besides the scent, a bear is naturally curious. It will investigate noises, smells, and objects to see if they are edible or exciting.

Plus, this omnivorous animal has a sense of smell strong enough to track down food from a mile away!

Are the Canoe Barrels Bear Proof?

Despite being quite sturdy and capable of protecting its content from small woodland creatures, a canoe barrel won’t outlast an aggressive bear.

Fortunately, even if the bear finds a canoe barrel, it will most likely not take a swipe if there is no strong scent of food.

However, if it does decide to bite or take a swipe, the barrel is bound to be damaged.

After all, this is the animal that finishes off mountain lions or wolves with a single swipe!

Barrel Materials & Construction

A canoe barrel features high-density plastic construction materials. Unlike epoxy resins and polycarbonate plastics, these materials are usually BPA-free!

The barrel boasts a sturdy frame and a cylindrical shape that helps it safely carry a wide range of supplies.

Moreover, it’s pretty lightweight when empty, and the watertight lid can keep its contents dry from the occasional water splashes that occur while paddling a canoe.

This construction method makes the canoe barrel a viable storage option for paddling trips, but it will need a bit more work before it becomes bear-proof!

Food Scent

Primarily, the scent of food is what attracts a bear to the canoe barrel. These barrels are relatively airtight, but they still can’t stop a bit of the smell from escaping.

Therefore, if you are packing a lot of food or food with a strong odor, you will have an increased chance of encountering a bear.

Take note that the scent of food will spread faster and further if you are canoeing during the summer. This spread happens because of the food molecules diffusing faster in the hot air!

Bear Appetite & Sense of Smell

Bears have an incredible sense of smell and a massive appetite to go with it. No matter how airtight a canoe barrel is, the bear will be able to detect its scent if it wanders nearby.

Additionally, when it picks up a smell of food or a novel smell, the bear will investigate to satiate its hunger or curiosity.

If the bear is hungry, even the plastic barrel smell will register as potential food. But, if it’s not famished, it may still perceive the barrel as an object of interest and decide to play with it!

However, it’s better to travel with an airtight barrel than a backpack that will give off a much stronger scent.

How to Keep Your Canoe Barrel Safe From the Bear?

While the canoe barrel is not bear-proof, it still has some resistance to the animal. As such, it is possible to reinforce the barrel further to ensure the safety of your supplies.

Here’s how to to keep your canoe barrel safe from the bear,

Doing a Bear Hang

The bear hang is a traditional way to protect your storage container, barrel, or bag from bears. It’s relatively simple and pretty effective as long as you can find the right place.

To do a bear hang, first, you need to find a tree with a sturdy branch. It will be ideal if the tree is about 150-200 feet away from your camping site.

Even if a bear comes to investigate the canoe barrel, this distance will keep you safe.

After finding a suitable tree, you will need a bit of rope to hang your canoe barrel. You can also use any cordage that can withstand the weight of your barrel and the supplies within.

While hanging, keep your barrel at least 15 feet high from the ground and 10 feet away from the tree trunk.

This method will make it difficult for the bear to reach the canoe barrel even if it is good at climbing trees.

Take note that the myth of bears not being able to climb trees has been debunked several times. So, be careful while you hang the barrel.

Using Accessories

Besides the bear hang, you can use accessories to lower the chance of a bear finding your canoe barrel.

For instance, with a barrel harness or bucket, you will quickly move the barrel further away, and these will also lessen any food odor that may escape from the barrel.

When you choose any of these accessories, remember that a bear can perceive colors well, but it’s not attracted to any particular color.

However, a bright color will be more visible over long distances than a softer color.

Cleaning Often

As we have seen before, the bear will pick up an odor way before it spots the canoe barrel, and cleaning up is the best way to reduce food smell.

By washing every surface after preparing any meal, you can keep your cooking areas clean and free of smelly odors.

Moreover, it would be best if you clean up immediately after eating. Afterward, double-check that there is nothing edible lying around before leaving an area.

To ensure the best outcome, you should use these safety measures in conjunction with other deterrents.

Remember to carry bear spray for an emergency.

Conclusion

A canoe barrel is quite convenient for canoeing and camping, but it’s not sturdy enough to stop a bear. After all, it’s plastic against an animal that’s five times stronger than a human!

In addition, it can be a nerve-wracking experience when you face a bear at your canoe campsite. So, even if your supplies are important, keep the canoe barrel further away from your camp.

Bears are pretty intelligent, and it will take time while inspecting your canoe barrel. Make sure you do not invade its critical space, as it can be fierce when challenged.

Fortunately, as long as you understand standard bear behavior and the canoe barrels construction, you will be able to mask the smell of food to some extent.

In this way, you will reduce the risk of encountering a bear, and it will keep your barrel safe while you enjoy canoeing!

Read here more about How are Birchbark Canoes Made in 2022?

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