New Park Regulations for Food Storage

[johnhens]

The topic of food storage at tent sites has been discussed in the past. In the past there were no definite requirements ie hanging food ect.
It is my understanding the NPS will require you to hang your food from a tree or the like. A bear vault (Lexan type round food container) may be used in lieu of hanging. I will post more info as it becomes available.

[Ingo]

Curious to hear more about the rationale.

[Tom]

Interesting. I'll also be interested in hearing the thoughts on why. In all my trips to the Island, other than nosey foxes who seem to want gear more than food, squirrels have been the biggest camp raider. In the few times I HAVE hung my food, during one of them a darn squirrel shimmied his way over and chewed a hole and got in. (Those of you who've stayed at Desor North probably have met the same squirrel.)
I've actually had better luck, without need to shoo, by keeping things under the fly/vestibule of the tent. Sure, a big no-no in bear country, but it seems to work the best on IR..

[jerry]

Like Tom, I keep my food covered inside the tent and have never had any issues with the animals. Only when I'm eating outside the tent do they want me to share it with them. Especially, the jays at Washington Creek.

[head2north]

As this is news to me, I am unaware of the details and most importantly the reasoning supporting this proposal. I can only deduce that wolves are the primary point of causation.

I am not an expert on wolves. I understand the safety concerns regarding wolf/human relationships.

That said, I have a few questions:
If concern is fundamental human food handling -
Do you think that people who leave food buffets unattended on picnic tables for all nature will pull a 180 in attitude and appropriately pack food in the evening and take time to hang?

If concern is a hungry wolf –
I believe there is a more potent safety issue here than just granola. In the BWCA we hang food to keep away from bears. It is not always the case, but bears usually only roam campsite areas when the natural supply of food is limited (no berries, nuts, ……) Now with wolves being mainly carnivores, if their natural supply of food (moose) is no longer viable, I believe a granola bar won’t satisfy its hunger, and if that granola bar is hanging in a tree??????

Yes, I am not a wolf expert, these are just first thought and questions about wanting to understand what hanging food will really do on Isle Royale. I have no problem hanging food; I do it over 30 times every summer in the BWCA. I just don’t want to feel safe from wolves if I really shouldn’t be letting my guard down by "hanging food".

[johnhens]

I did not get any reasoning or rationalization for the decision. I know a lot of thought and discusion has gone into the issue and the experts were consulted.

Here is my opinion. I think it is a good idea and long overdue.
It is a proven fact the wolves eat food other than carrion. Daisy Farm has been closed in the past due to a wolf/wolves feeding on apples in the fall.
I remember someone recently telling of a wolf being on a picnic table.
Folks carry sausage, jerky ect. that have a strong scent. Wolves are curious by nature and the scenario of a wolf going up to an unoccupied tent to check out the smell of beef/pork/meat product is not without merit. Once a wolf gets a taste of said product, now we (we being the collective folks who go to IR) have a new problem to contend with, namely a wolf that has learned of food associated with humans/tents. The scenario, with bears occurs in Yosemite to the point that the bears pick particular cars to break into for the food inside.

The wolves on IR are under tremendous pressure, probably more now than ever. Decreased moose calf production means decreased potential Springtime food for pups. The decreased beaver population, a former food source, means even greater pressure on moose and wolves. The increasingly warm summers and increase in winter ticks and decreased forage oppurtunites for moose put more pressure on them and the wolves.

As far as enforcement, Isle Royale is a small community and word gets out quickly of Ranger enforcement of rules. Many here have related in TR's of being checked for permits in the backcountry. I know of instances of folks abusing staying at shelters, building fires at campsites where fires are not allowed and leaving fish remains littering a campsite ect. and having the NPS pursue these matters and those who were at fault having to make appearances in federal district court for minor offenses, a big inconvenience for most.

I think Education will play a big roll in preventing abuse of the rules. I think most folks who go to IR will be willing to hang food when it is explained to them the reasoning for it.

Again this is just my opinion.

[jrwiesz]

Nothing on the official web site, as of this posting, that I noticed.

http://www.nps.gov/isro/parkmgmt/lawsandpolicies.htm

Please, keep us updated with the continuing developments.

[johnhens]

I was discussing the food hanging issue with the NPS and was told the NPS would be recommending food hanging this year and not requiring visitors to do so. They are working out the details of site hanging and storage. Hope this clarifies the issue.

[Keweenaw]

I was discussing the food hanging issue with the NPS and was told the NPS would be recommending food hanging this year and not requiring visitors to do so. They are working out the details of site hanging and storage. Hope this clarifies the issue.

I thought that might be the outcome. Not a good idea to have everyone picking a tree and flinging a rope over it as this will kill branches eventually from the abrasion. Plus, some campgrounds don't have much in the way of trees. They will have to think about installing poles or bear (wolf) boxes near the campsites (but not too near). Might be a volunteer opportunity.

Bob

[zims]

I have to agree with the possibility of having to hang food and why. There was a morning we woke at west chickenbone and there had been fresh wolf tracks outside our tents, we were in site 2 and when followed down the trail, the wolf had also visited the group camping with only a tarp. there were fresh tracks there also. We have hung food in the smokeys and porky's, its a good idea. I would love to help if it becomes a volunteer chance.

[johnhens]

From the Superintendant's Compendium addressing food storage:

19. Food Storage
Reason for Restriction
Each year squirrels chew into backpacks or tents in search of food, and causing property damage to camping gear. Foxes make off with a bag of trash or an unattended/unsecured food sack spreading trash about the backcountry. Each time they get a taste of human food they are rewarded and the behavior continues. In 2007, wolves were being seen more often near campsites though have yet to learn of human food. In an effort to prevent wolf habituation to humans, and decrease that of fox, squirrel, and others we must increase our efforts to keep our food and trash from being accessed by Isle Royale’s wildlife.

[Ingo]

The regulation (from pg 12) states: "... In the backcountry, all food, garbage, and scented items shall be sealed so as to prevent smells."

That's apparently as far as it goes for the time being. I take it to mean "bring Ziplocks"!

[jrwiesz]

The regulation (from pg 12) states: "... In the backcountry, all food, garbage, and scented items shall be sealed so as to prevent smells."

That's apparently as far as it goes for the time being. I take it to mean "bring Ziplocks"!

The whole place should be treated as, "in the backcountry".

As soon as you step on a boat or plane, headed for Isle Royale, you should be considered, "in the backcountry".

It's a designated biosphere. We should do all we can to keep it that way. LNT, as near as possible.

Just, IMHO.

[Keweenaw]

The regulation (from pg 12) states: "... In the backcountry, all food, garbage, and scented items shall be sealed so as to prevent smells."

That's apparently as far as it goes for the time being. I take it to mean "bring Ziplocks"!

The whole place should be treated as, "in the backcountry".

As soon as you step on a boat or plane, headed for Isle Royale, you should be considered, "in the backcountry".

It's a designated biosphere. We should do all we can to keep it that way. LNT, as near as possible.

Just, IMHO.

Good thought! It is a bit hard for me to think of Rock Harbor as "backcountry", though - more like "zoo".

[jrwiesz]

Understood completely, been there done that, with the Rock Harbor "zoo".

Just an observation; that after the initial, "I'm on Isle Royale", wears off, we should all strive to keep it as pristine as we possibly can. To enjoy in its' pristine state, for continued memories and pleasures.

Education is the key. Spread the word through actions and discussions, such as here.

Proper food handling, is just one of the many areas, that education needs to be ongoing, to keep our wild places wild!