[pct-l] cloth tabacco bags

[Edward Anderson]

Hi Shepherd,
 
In parts of the Yukon they are called "Bear Charms". I have used cotton tobacco sacks with two or three mothballs inside for about 23 years in bear country. I carry about 18 stored in an OPSak, and surround my tent area with a circle of them - a diameter of about 25 feet.
 
Most bears find the smell repulsive - not something that they would consider eating. I know people who live in bear country who use mothballs to keep bears away from their garbage cans. I talked to one of Firefly's neighbors in Old Station who uses them that way. Bears are repelled by the smell. I have not found that rodents are also repelled by the smell. I have tested that. In camps, and in my caches, I also use OPSaks to eliminate food smells. Then, all bears can smell is the mothballs.
 
Where do you buy them?  In COASTAL areas cotton tobacco sacks are used by SURF FISHERMEN as weights. (Cheaper than lead weights).  They are sold in those areas by stores that sell fishing tackle. In Fort Bragg, I could buy them at RiteAid.
 
MendoRider-Hiker
 

________________________________
 From: "aslive at charter.net" <aslive at charter.net>
To: PCT-L <pct-l at backcountry.net> 
Sent: Wednesday, December 26, 2012 10:50 AM
Subject: [pct-l] cloth tabacco bags
  

I have seen some discussion on the use of small cloth tobacco bags with 
month balls inside to dissuade critters from entering a tent or 
attacking food storage.  This sounds interesting but I can't find any of 
these bags.  Does anyone know where I can find some?  Thanks.

Shepherd
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