In many parts of the wilderness, you won't be able to find the perfect branch, as described here. In these instances, try using natural features, such as a limb that extends out over a lake or a cliff to compensate for lack of height. When you're above the treeline, try jamming the bags into rock crevices, or covering the bags with large rocks. Remember, anyplace is better than inside your pack or tent. Especially your tent! You always want to keep a safe distance between you and a bear.

2torial #0892: Learn2 Keep Your Food From Bears (continued) Pick the right tree   Bears can climb trees very well--and they can stand on their hind legs and reach surprisingly high into the air. Here are some guidelines for choosing where to bearbag your food: Choose a tree with a limb extending at least 10 feet (about 4 m) from the trunk, and at least 15 to 20 feet (4.5 to 6 m) off the ground. The limb should be thick enough to support your food, but not thick enough to support even a bear cub's weight (about 40 to 70 lb./ 20 kg to 30 kg) Look for a portion about two to three inches (5 to 7 cm) in diameter is a good size, but sometimes you can't be that choosy. If possible, choose a limb which has few small branches or needles on it. Those little obstacles can snarl the rope that you'll use to suspend the food. Make sure there are no branches or rocks below the limb which could support a bear's weight, or assist the bear in reaching the food. Otherwise, a bear could climb out on the limb below, and with a swing of its mighty paw tear down your grub. Don't tear off limbs in order to make it more secure: that's ecologically reprehensible, and besides, any limb you can tear off isn't going to support a bear's weight.   Step 2