Backcountry hunting safety (bear fence)

[jdwilson]

Does anyone have any experience with one of those portable bear fences that run off of D cell batteries? Do they work?

During my scouting weekends in the last 6-8 weeks or so, I have been sleeping out in the backcountry without, just the one man tent with bear spray next to the sleeping bag (not sure what good that would do, I guess pepper myself before he takes a bite...lol). I am new to Alberta, so have no experience with Grizzlies. I realize that I could continue having no issues and maybe never see one, but it may be worth the investment.

Thanks in advance.

[Pasc43]

This has me thinking, would a taser work on a bear?

[jdwilson]

Originally Posted by Pasc43

This has me thinking, would a taser work on a bear?

I would not want to get close enough to try it...

I assume that is the theory behind the fences. It has a capacitor that jumps up the power from the two D cells when something organic makes contact. It is probably just enough of a sting to get the undetermined ones to move along, but if he wanted in, he is getting into your defensive perimeter....At least that is what I am thinking

[fish_e_o]

Originally Posted by jdwilson

Does anyone have any experience with one of those portable bear fences that run off of D cell batteries? Do they work?

yes i have one, no it doesn't work.

1. the spark is weak compared to traditional fences
2. there is a video out there of a grizzly bear eating electrified meat and it doesn't give up
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pdM9YOYrcbs
3. the hair is often to thick that brushing a wire isn't enough to jolt them

[jdwilson]

Originally Posted by fish_e_o

yes i have one, no it doesn't work.

1. the spark is weak compared to traditional fences
2. there is a video out there of a grizzly bear eating electrified meat and it doesn't give up
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pdM9YOYrcbs
3. the hair is often to thick that brushing a wire isn't enough to jolt them

Thanks for this, that is what I figured. I will save my money.

[3blade]

Originally Posted by Pasc43

This has me thinking, would a taser work on a bear?

Not reliably, due to the thick fur.

I've heard the fence that runs off auto batteries does a good job. Seen videos of it working to deter a summer polar bear. One zap and he didn't come back for seconds.

[mad mountain mike]

If you spend enough time in bear country you will encounter grizzly bears. The trick is to avoid CLOSE encounters. Keep a clean camp, don't eat where you sleep, make a little noise in the thick brush...... Carrying bear spray is a good idea, I wouldn't put much faith in the backpacking electric fence, follow the bear safety guide lines, sleep light and carry a big gun and you should be fine. All that being said, there are no guarantees.

[Dean2]

I have seen the odd black bear break through full strength electric fences to get to Bee hives and stored oats but they are effective at keeping 98% of the bears out. I can't imagine the backpacker fence doing much good. You are better off if the fence set of a really loud audible alarm. The noise is more likely to scare the bear off; two, you are awake and ready for the bear if it keeps coming.

[MountainTi]

Have one that uses 4 D batteries. Works well. Keep the wire(s) low and keep ground rod area wet

[Smokinyotes]

We had a bear wreck a tent once. This year i am going to be putting up 3 electric wires around the tent. 12 volt deep cycle battery, gallagher electric fencer. If a bear can with stand that i dont want to be hunting in the area anyhow.

[elkdump]

Nice thing about electrified fence around your tent,,,

If you get up for a pizz in the middle of the night! you WILL KNOW when your peeing on the boundary of your campsite !

[glen1971]

We've got two - one for the kitchen and one for the tent. Never had any issues with bears, and don't know that we've had to "test" it. That bein said, it does give a pretty good zap (from personal experience to prove it works), but as stated keep the ground spike damp. I think the theory is you tie flagging on to the energized wires, it attracts their curiosity and get zapped on the nose.. Again, I'm just going from what I've read, and I know that it is some peace of mind after we had a bear in camp one year.. Keep your camp as clean as you can. We are in the bush for about 10 days, so it is tough to get everything put away.. At best, it's in a cooler.. And we cook on our stove and bbq.. But we have the same rule from when we were kids - no food in the tent..

http://www.udap.com/mm5/category/bear-electric-fences

[craig82]

Clean camp , gun you can shoot quick , and don't camp in a bunch of bear sign.
I do t think I'd let bear spray off in a tent...

[Prairiekid]

Originally Posted by mad mountain mike

If you spend enough time in bear country you will encounter grizzly bears. The trick is to avoid CLOSE encounters. Keep a clean camp, don't eat where you sleep, make a little noise in the thick brush...... Carrying bear spray is a good idea, I wouldn't put much faith in the backpacking electric fence, follow the bear safety guide lines, sleep light and carry a big gun and you should be fine. All that being said, there are no guarantees.

I am used to bears, I live in WMU 410. I will be heading into the back country next week to chase me some deer. How far do you guys keep the place you eat from the place you sleep?

[glen1971]

Originally Posted by Prairiekid

I am used to bears, I live in WMU 410. I will be heading into the back country next week to chase me some deer. How far do you guys keep the place you eat from the place you sleep?

We're probably 50-60 yards as the crow flies.. Hanging pole is usually (when we need it) about 40 yards from the kitchen and further away from the tent..

[Red Bullets]

Instead of worrying about bears on the ground, consider getting a suspended tent you can anchor between trees up off the ground. There are several designs .

[Grizzly Adams]

Originally Posted by Red Bullets

Instead of worrying about bears on the ground, consider getting a suspended tent you can anchor between trees up off the ground. There are several designs .

Better be 10 feet off the ground.

Grizz

[mad mountain mike]

Originally Posted by Grizzly Adams

Better be 10 feet off the ground.

Grizz

Yes and good luck finding trees big enough for that in sheep country. I really don't think bears in your tent while you are occupying it is an issue. When was the last time a hunter was jumped by a bear while sleeping in his tent? I'm sure it has happened but doubt it's common.

[dave99]

Edit

[Jalan]

Even if the bear comes back the initial bolt and noise would hopefully make you aware there is a bear there. Rather than being surprised.

[fast_pass88]

If you quad or pack into base camp then sure a good fence will be worth taking. but anything you carry in a backpack won't be worth a rip.

Follow the advice on here, east, cook, sleep in 3 separate places. hang food 10 feet up and you won't have a problem. Don't bring wrappers or anything scented into your tent. We often hang our packs in trees usually, as there's often food scent on that.
If the only thing in your tent is a sleeping bag, mat, clothes, gun, and a headlamp there simply isn't anything he's going to want in there.

Higher chance of getting killed in a car accident on your drive to the trail head...

[Smokinyotes]

Hmmm. I guess we probably shouldnt be cooking bacon in the tent then eh.

[mad mountain mike]

Originally Posted by fast_pass88

If you quad or pack into base camp then sure a good fence will be worth taking. but anything you carry in a backpack won't be worth a rip.

Follow the advice on here, east, cook, sleep in 3 separate places. hang food 10 feet up and you won't have a problem. Don't bring wrappers or anything scented into your tent. We often hang our packs in trees usually, as there's often food scent on that.
If the only thing in your tent is a sleeping bag, mat, clothes, gun, and a headlamp there simply isn't anything he's going to want in there.

Higher chance of getting killed in a car accident on your drive to the trail head...

This forum could use a like button, this post pretty much sums it up perfectly.

[kman35ca]

4 claymore mines would do it.

[Grizzly Adams]

Originally Posted by fast_pass88

If you quad or pack into base camp then sure a good fence will be worth taking. but anything you carry in a backpack won't be worth a rip.

Follow the advice on here, east, cook, sleep in 3 separate places. hang food 10 feet up and you won't have a problem. Don't bring wrappers or anything scented into your tent. We often hang our packs in trees usually, as there's often food scent on that.
If the only thing in your tent is a sleeping bag, mat, clothes, gun, and a headlamp there simply isn't anything he's going to want in there.

Higher chance of getting killed in a car accident on your drive to the trail head...

Gather, in Yellowstone, so much as leaving a water bottle out, will get you a ticket.

Grizz