Easier said than done. I have read that a bear can smell a can of tuna even if you've removed the label and washed the can. As for keeping the food out of a bear's reach all the time you wouldn't be able to hike very far if your food is hung from a tree 24-7. Sooner or later you'll have to put it on your back and walk.
>> “I have read that a bear can smell a can of tuna even if you’ve removed the label and washed the can” <<
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My cat can definitely do that.
They do make bear canisters, and some hiking food is known for not being that attractive to bears. I realize if he planned to stay for a month he could not pack enough canisters due to weight- so would likely have to set up a base camp of sorts and circle back to replenish from a canister stash. Keeping food from bears is not easy but many manage to do it. I have a cousin that used to guide hunters for Kodiak bears and he knew many tricks since you don’t want to cross those bears for sure.
As I see it the worst mistake he made was not being armed, and I realize legally that may not have been allowed- but if not I wouldn’t have went to begin with. I used to spend a lot of time in the great outdoors and would not have considered going where I couldn’t be armed. Too many critters to deal with in different climates- not to mention every once in a while someone encounters people that are bad news.