^ Well I'm happy to say though we've differed in practice the results have been the same. No issues.
I'm seeing a difference between sleeping backpack tenting and sleeping in our camper. Perhaps that's too fine of a distinction. That said, do I think a bear couldn't get inside - of course not ! We are always ready to leave quickly.
What I don't know about is the difference between residual interior cooking odour and interior stored food. Perhaps it depends on the food and how it's cooked. For us, we almost never fry, most cooking is simple and boiled. Food is stored as at home. I do know vole can smell my crackers, I'm assuming a bear could, as well as smell me, my soap, lotions etc.
Understood, odour created while cooking can be a huge attractant to the camp - huge. Clearly cooking outdoors is a big part of camping for many. If the cooking, eating and food storage is say 100m away then yes, I imagine that could make a difference for bear safety. But most groups I see like to cook within sparking distance of their tents and vehicles.
The sniffing, snorting bear I mentioned was at Redstreak CG, the guy in the tent nearby had the same experience. There were quite a few tenters there with all their stuff out for inspection. I don't think it mattered a wit to the bear who had cooked where. Might have been a problem bear IDK, mentioned it to the staff on check out and they closed the CG, two nights before end of season
The sow and cub I mentioned were in a remotish sub-alpine basin in the south chilcotin. I wouldn't think she was habituated - it was a long time ago before everyone and his dog had a 4x4 and the mtns were full of mtn bikers and extreme adventurers - but of course IDK. I figure they heard the vehicle and smelled it and or something inside and they made quick time to check it out.
I'm pretty certain other times bears have checked out our camp at night, it would be naive to think otherwise considering where we've stopped. If we've been lucky, I'll take it.
As always, YMMV. Do what you feel most comfortable with.
Edited by klahanie, 19 March 2018 - 01:33 AM.