Low Impact Food Hoists

Authors(s): B. Vachowski

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Publication Date: 0000-00-00

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Location: Missoula MT

Abstract: Minimizing contacts between grizzly bears and humans has become an important focus of compliance with the Endangered Species Act in critical grizzly bear habitat. Agencies have proposed or implemented special regulations in many areas that require human and livestock foods and attractants to be stored so they are inaccessible to bears. Bear-resistant containers, hard sided vehicles, and food suspended out of reach are all acceptable techniques. Low impact hoisting techniques are a reasonable alternative where permanent structures are not desired or available, particularly in wilderness. They eliminate the expense and weight of bear-resistant containers and are suitable when the loads are not extremely heavy. This report describes techniques to hoist food -- both human and stock -- at least 10 feet high and 4 feet away from the support tree.

Keywords: animal, mammal, bear, Ursidae, grizzly bear, Ursus arctos horribilis, human activity, food, livestock