Irresponsible behavior endangers not just bears — the safety of humans is a factor too. While it is well known in the Roaring Fork Valley that we provide trash can straps, we thought we would cover other bear proofing methods and bear safety measures here.
Do-It-yourself Trash CAN Modifications
Frequently Asked Questions
What is “IGBC Certification“?
Companies that wish to advertise as “bear proof” containers send their product, along with a fee, to the Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee in Bozeman, MT. The IGBC then gives Grizzly bears about 45 minutes try to break open the products.
Playlist
Why don’t you get your straps “IGBC Certified“?
Because the straps don’t qualify for the IGBC certification program. This testing is ONLY for commercial products. The only non-commercial products that they will consider are metal cans.
Moreover, our straps to deter BLACK bears — NOT Grizzlies. (Grizzly bear claws are upwards of 4″ long , whereas Black bears claws are only 1.5 – 2″ long. Grizzly bears easily outweigh and outsize black bears. Grizzly bears weigh 400 to 1,000 pounds compared to the 100 to 600 pound Black bear. Grizzlies can be 5 to 8 feet tall and tower over their 4 to 6 foot cousins.) We do NOT have Grizzly bears here in the Roaring Fork Valley. In short, the purpose of our trash can straps is not to be Grizzly proof, but to serve as a deterrent to local Black bears. The goal is to get them to realize that there is no easy food available and to move back to foraging for natural food sources.