| What it is | Food hung from a tree |
| Method | PCT hang, counterbalance |
| Vs canister | Lighter but harder to do well |
| Difficulty | Intermediate |
A bear bag is a method of hanging food and scented items in a bag from a tree branch, out of a bear’s reach, to protect it overnight. Techniques like the PCT method suspend the bag high and away from the trunk. Bear bags are lighter than canisters but harder to do well, and are banned where canisters are required.
How to hang it
Aim for ~12 ft up and ~6 ft from the trunk and branch; the PCT method uses a stick toggle so no rope is left for a bear to chew.
Bag vs canister
Lighter than a bear canister but trickier and ineffective against canister-savvy bears. See bear canister vs bear bag.
Frequently asked questions
How do you hang a bear bag?
The goal is to suspend your food bag roughly 12 feet off the ground and 6 feet from the trunk and any branch, so a bear can't reach it from the ground, the tree, or the limb. You throw a line over a high, sturdy branch, hoist the bag, and tie it off — the PCT method is a popular, effective system.
What is the PCT method?
The PCT (Pacific Crest Trail) method hangs the bag without leaving a rope tied to the tree: you hoist the bag, clip the line to it, and use a stick toggle so the bag stays up with no anchored rope for a bear to chew. It's a reliable, widely taught hanging technique.
Bear bag or canister?
A bear bag is lighter and packs small, but requires the right trees and good technique, and fails against bears that have learned to defeat hangs. A canister is heavier but foolproof and is mandatory in many areas. Choose based on regulations and the local bears.
Sources
- Food storage in bear country — National Park Service