1. I’ve made a canister, can I get it approved by the SIBBG?

2. I want to buy a canister, is it approved by the SIBBG?

3. What does conditional approval mean?

4. If I invest in a canister, will I always be able to use it in the Sierra?

5. Where are canisters mandatory?

6. What happens if I don't use a canister in mandatory canister areas?

7. What is the difference between a hard-sided and soft-sided canister?

1. I've made a canister, can I get it approved by the SIBBG?
The SIBBG will consider bear-resistant products designed for commercial sale or rental. Containers created solely for personal use will not be considered or approved. Interested manufacturers or product developers must first contact a unit representative from SIBBG to have a container tested for approval by the SIBBG. Please contact us for more information.

2. I want to buy a canister, is it approved by the SIBBG?
Click here to see a list of food storage containers approved by the SIBBG.

3. What does conditional approval mean?
If a container passes the visual inspection, the structural test, and the zoo trial, manufacturers will be granted conditional approval, which allows that container to be legally used, as intended, in the INYO/SEKI/YOSE administrative areas and elsewhere. During the first season of conditionally approved use, the containers will undergo an in-house field evaluation. The container will be evaluated on ease of container use, durability of the container under field conditions, and the level of security from bears. The field evaluation may be discontinued, and the conditional approval pulled, at any time due to failures. In addition to structural failures, if visitors habitually abandon a type of container, or its contents, in the backcountry, the container will fail. Potential reasons for abandonment include mutilated food, or containers that are carried away by bears. If a “conditionally approved” container does not have a pattern of failures during this three-month evaluation, the container’s status will be upgraded to “approved.”

4. If I invest in a canister, will I always be able to use it in the Sierra?
Revocation of a product’s approval may occur at any time based upon the SIBBG consensus. This may include evidence that bears have mastered the container/device, use of the container is resulting in environmental damage, the container is being commonly misused, or weather and/or exposure are causing structural failure.

5. Where are canisters mandatory?
Click here to see detailed information on food storage regulations in SIBBG areas.

Bears are successful at obtaining food hung in trees and this method may only be a delay tactic. Where canisters are not required, SIBBG strongly recommends that backpackers and stock users use an approved bear-resistant canister or pannier.

The following is a list of general areas where canisters are required. Please click on the above link for updates and more detailed information regarding food storage.

Yosemite National Park
Throughout the Yosemite Wilderness (counterbalance hanging is not allowed anywhere in Yosemite)

Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks
· Rae Lakes Loop & Vicinity
· Dusy Basin Area
· Rock Creek Area

Inyo National Forest
· Rush Creek/Mammoth Lakes Area
· Duck Pass and Fish Creek Areas
· Kearsarge Pass Area
· Bishop Pass/Dusy Basin Area
· Little Lakes Valley Area
· Cottonwood Lakes/Pass Area
· Beck Lake
· High Trail
· Main Mt. Whitney
· Bishop Pass
· JMT/PCT South
· Red Cones
· Cottonwood Lakes
· John Muir Trail North
· River Trail
· Cottonwood Pass
· Kearsarge Pass
· Rush Creek
· Duck Lake
· Little Lakes Valley
· Shadow Lake
· Fern Lake
· Minaret Lake
· Trail Crest (exit)
· Fish Creek
· Mono Pass
· Treasure Lakes

6. What happens if I don’t use a canister in mandatory canister areas?
Failure to use an approved canister where canisters are required is considered improper food storage and may result in a citation, property impoundment and/or you will be asked to leave the backcountry.