Bear Problems at Low Gap?

imported
#1

I’ve read that tehy are having some bear problems near the Low Gap Shelter. Anybody have info regarding this problem? Will be through there in late June and am wondering what the facts are. Thanks!

Hardcharger

Hardcharger

#2

April 1, 2009 Due to the recent bear activity and new FS policy, the AT from Neels Gap to Tesnatee Gap is now closed to any camping activity for one month, effective immediately.

from GATC

bubba

#3

Bubba,

Any idea if they (FS) will do anything to solve the problem? But it sounds, from your report, that this isn’t going to (at this time) affect Low Gap Shelter. Is the GATC posting any info on this on their site?

Thanks, Bubba, for the info.

Hardcharger

Hardcharger

#4

The fact it was posted April 1 might indicate it was an April Fool’s prank.

joehiker

#5

Joehiker,

I took a look at the GATC site and the warning was posted. According to a lot of the journals there have been a lot of bear problems at Low Gap Shelter, so its probably pretty serious. At least serious enough to post some warnings. When Kayak Karl went through there there were signs warning about bear activities in the area. I hope they have the situation in hand before I hit there in late June. But thanks for the “April Fool’s Day” reminder.

Hardcharger

Hardcharger

#6

Not an April Fool’s prank!!! See NFS site:

http://www.fs.fed.us/conf/conditions/index.shtml

Yogi Bear

#7

I had a problem near Wolf Laurel Top last April. I set up camp and took a nap. When I woke up, there was a bear about 15 ft from me just sitting there staring at me. Looked like a dog waiting to be fed. Yelling at him didn’t seem chase him off, I had to resort to throwing sticks at him. But then he kept coming back. So I packed up and moved to a different spot and didn’t have anymore problems. I had noticed that the camp site I picked had a lot of garbage (candy wrappers and stuff like that) around and a fire ring. Clearly, the people who had camped here in the past didn’t follow LNT policies and that’s why they have such a bear problem. I reported the sighting at Neal’s Gap. They said there were a lot of bears in the area because of all the small caves in the cliffs around there. They make ideal bear dens. From the looks of it, the one I ran into had been hand fed by people in the past.

Not sure closing the area to camping is the best way to handle the problem. I think making sure campers follow LNT and fining those who don’t is a better way to go, especially large groups that tend to leave garbage and other food for bears. Not to unfairly place blame, but the campsite I was at is typical of what I see after a boy scout outing. Yes, every single boy scout leader I’ve ever talked to says his troup never leaves any trash anywhere, but every single boy scout troup I’ve ever camped near left all sorts of stuff on the ground when they left.

Bear Bag Hanger