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I have three "Certified Bear-Resistant" Zarges K470 containers and have had them on adventures around North America over the last three years. I have two
#40810 and one
#40678.
Rangers have come in camp multiple times in bear country when on their rounds and twice have said the sizes I have, because they are
rated Bear Resistant by the Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee, are among the few containers for which they do not give a fine. A couple times in Smoky Mtn NP in TN; heavily visited, no bear boxes in organized campgrounds, cables for hanging food in many backcountry sites, and once in Big Bend NP in TX; bear boxes in both organized campgrounds and backcountry sites.
The day they were in my camp in the Smokies they issued fines to neighboring camps for leaving non-approved containers out and about but said I was good. I've chased black bears off more than once in the Smokies, both in broad daylight and on full moon nights.
Can't guarantee all rangers will be as informed as these rangers were, of course, though the ones I've spoken to sure recognized my K470s. One ranger nodded towards the containers, smiled and said "Oh, you know." While the Smokies have problems with black bears, and Big Bend with Mexican black bear, not grizzlies or brown, the containers IGBC rates are done with grizzlies with the Grizzly Bear Recovery Area in mind (location list here:
Food Storage Regulation Map), where you are far more likely to be fined for unapproved containers.
Though I've camped in black bear country in several other states and in grizzly country in Montana and Wyoming, I have no personal experience with rangers elsewhere in regards to containers.
Interesting article from May 2019 - Timeline: History of Grizzly Bear Recovery In the Lower 48 States
IGBC Certified Product List - Feb 2020
Food Storage Regulations organized by state with interactive map
Zarges K470
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