Isle Royale Forums

I missed out on visiting the island last year. Hoping to make it over on a spring trip this year- that will be a first for me. I have noticed on the national park site, they mention new food storage regulations due to wolf activity. From what I can find, it just looks like a bear type locker. Don’t know if they were in effect last year; has anyone been there since these were enacted? Are they at all sites?

Last year, most campgrounds on the east side had “lockers” installed and all food items were to be placed in them. In reality, these were the crates the wolves were placed in when being relocated to the island. Different rangers said the complete opposite of each other on this point, but i was also instructed to hang all food if no lockers were present.

Here is the latest from the NPS.
I did notice that Animal-Resistant containers are now required.

I noticed in browsing the NPS list of guaranteed compliant storage solutions that they are all, of course, only bear solutions. The Park seems to be thinking there are solutions that are not the bulky bear canisters but are not willing to go too far out that limb. Certainly, a wolf & squirrel system, even if it were engineered certifiable, should not be near as bulky as the canisters.

Midwest Ed wrote: Thu Feb 27, 2025 1:51 am The Park seems to be thinking there are solutions that are not the bulky bear canisters but are not willing to go too far out that limb. Certainly, a wolf & squirrel system, even if it were engineered certifiable, should not be near as bulky as the canisters.

Both Adotec and Ursack bags are on the list. Neither are cheap but they are compliant.

Kelly wrote: Thu Feb 27, 2025 4:17 am
Both Adotec and Ursack bags are on the list. Neither are cheap but they are compliant.

Also one of them has a leading contender for greatest product name of all time: the ursack minor!

Kelly wrote: Thu Feb 27, 2025 4:17 am

Midwest Ed wrote: Thu Feb 27, 2025 1:51 am The Park seems to be thinking there are solutions that are not the bulky bear canisters but are not willing to go too far out that limb. Certainly, a wolf & squirrel system, even if it were engineered certifiable, should not be near as bulky as the canisters.

Both Adotec and Ursack bags are on the list. Neither are cheap but they are compliant.

I've used an Ursack on the mainland before (and like it). One of its key features is that you don't have to hang it -- you can tie it to a tree trunk, or picnic table leg, etc. I assume that would be an acceptable use on the island as well.

G. My bear proof container is not light. I need a screw driver or a dime to get into it. I've never had an issue with any animal with my food, except a grey jay that got a nut I dropped. It got it within seconds. Hmm, re-thinking my possible summer trip.

dcclark wrote: Thu Feb 27, 2025 8:34 am I've used an Ursack on the mainland before (and like it). One of its key features is that you don't have to hang it -- you can tie it to a tree trunk, or picnic table leg, etc. I assume that would be an acceptable use on the island as well.

Technically, only some of the Ursacks are both bear and critter resistant.

I use my bear-resistant-only bag on the island every year and have not had squirrel troubles.

Anyone have any guess as to how this plays out? What do they mean that animal-resistant food storage will be required? Will someone be checking? Is this similar to the requirement that you filter and chemically treat water that most people don’t actually do? I’ve read that people coming from the seaplane into Windigo shouldn’t expect the traditional ranger talk. Just on our honor to bring proper food storage, or a risk that some may choose or choose not to take?

I’ve tried calling the Houghton VC without anyone picking up yet, which I kind of expected this time of year and amidst the staffing cuts.

HoosierHiker1202 wrote: Sun Mar 02, 2025 9:26 am Anyone have any guess as to how this plays out? What do they mean that animal-resistant food storage will be required? Will someone be checking? Is this similar to the requirement that you filter and chemically treat water that most people don’t actually do? I’ve read that people coming from the seaplane into Windigo shouldn’t expect the traditional ranger talk. Just on our honor to bring proper food storage, or a risk that some may choose or choose not to take?

I’ve tried calling the Houghton VC without anyone picking up yet, which I kind of expected this time of year and amidst the staffing cuts.

It is impossible to imagine that there will be anywhere near enough staff to police anything. I hope for better, but i suspect we will see more illegal fires, food storage issues and who knows what else this year.

Going to be fun times this year!

HoosierHiker1202 wrote: Sun Mar 02, 2025 9:26 am Anyone have any guess as to how this plays out? What do they mean that animal-resistant food storage will be required? Will someone be checking? Is this similar to the requirement that you filter and chemically treat water that most people don’t actually do? I’ve read that people coming from the seaplane into Windigo shouldn’t expect the traditional ranger talk. Just on our honor to bring proper food storage, or a risk that some may choose or choose not to take?

I’ve tried calling the Houghton VC without anyone picking up yet, which I kind of expected this time of year and amidst the staffing cuts.

I think the difference is if you don't filter your own water YOU suffer the consequences if something goes bad. For food storage, I imagine the "problem wolves" will be euthanized eventually.

Sorry to loop back to this, but this is new territory for me. Can any of you give me any thoughts on whether you'll be using a cannister, or suspending a bag, or if there's another option I should consider? Not sure if it matters, but I'll be heading on a small loop from Windigo, to Island Mine, Siskiwit, Feldtman, then back.

As always, I appreciate any feedback you can give.

In my view, a bear canister is a huge overkill. I am doing the same route and will hang my food. I will also place it in an ursak bag.

HoosierHiker1202 wrote: Mon Mar 10, 2025 12:42 pm Sorry to loop back to this, but this is new territory for me. Can any of you give me any thoughts on whether you'll be using a cannister, or suspending a bag, or if there's another option I should consider?

As of today, new rules & regs are still in progress: https://www.nps.gov/isro/planyourvisit/food-storage.htm
Extrapolating on what is said, my best predication is that there will be 3 options: bear canister, Ursack, or using bear bins (if in place). I doubt that simply hanging food will be an option, and would expect the new regs to be island-wide, but that's just my speculation. My biggest question is if they'll be able to get bear bins into all the campgrounds by the beginning of May.

I don't have a backpacking or canoe trip planned this year, but for the future I will likely take a big gulp, mortgage the house, and get the biggest Ursack, which seems the most consistent with how I pack for canoe trips (i.e. everything in dry bags so can't just stuff little things in nooks and crannies).