Forts 4 legged creatures...

[LHARPSTER]

Im sure that there are racoons and other creatures who would love to eat my food at the fort.

How do you keep them from getting into coolers outside? I was thinking I could put the cooler under our camper but I don't know if that will stop them.

Any suggestions or lessons learned???

 

[bama_ed]

Lori,

I've never had a problem with the animals getting in my cooler.

Reports in the past have been about teenagers checking out other folks' coolers looking for adult beverages in the past. (keep it out of sight thus out of mind).

One time on a Boy Scout campout I had a racoon who knew on Friday night how to work a zipper in a gym bag to get at a bag of potato chips.

On Saturday night we left him/her an open tin of sardines with jalapenos. It was gone in the morning. I'd like to think there is justice in this world.

So the 4-legged critters aren't a problem unless you leave somthing on the picnic table for a while. It's the 2-legged critters you have to discourage.



Bama ED

 

[2goofycampers]

We have used a bungee cord to keep a tight lid on our cooler.

 

[Butterbunkins]

Having never camped at the Fort before I can only say what we have done elsewhere. We tent camp so the tent isn't an option. We usually wedge the cooler under the bench of the picnic table. We have used firewood if there is a gap. Food not in the cooler goes in a runnermaid bin and is either also wedged or in the car.

 

[LHARPSTER]

It's the 2-legged critters you have to discourage.

Bama ED

I hear you about the 2 legged critters....we had a whole cooler (of adult drinks) stolen during an 7AM thunderstorm while we were up and in the camper awake. From that day forward we lock our coolers to the camper. We were so mad and couldn't believe that some one in the camping "community" would do that.

 

[WDWFWfan]

You are right to be concerned, I've had racoons nearly tear apart a screen room looking for food around the table inside (there wasn't any) and I've also had little paw prints all over my cooler before (although not at FW). Racoons are cleaver little creatures and are quite skillful about getting to your food. My suggestion is use a couple of bungees (if really tight) or a good rope. Also, don't leave anything that smells like food (soap, toothpaste, deodorant, etc.) in a tent or you might be sorry (just good camping precautions no matter where you camp).

A couple of years ago, FW was enforcing food storage policies (food must be kept in a vehicle, etc) because a bear had been spotted in the area. Didn't see that sign last time we were down that way.

 

[Bricon]

Hi, We have stayed at the Fort several times and seen armadillos but never raccoons. Never had a problem or really saw any evidence of any four legged critters causing any trouble.

The armadillo was very mellow and they seem to stay away from people, we never left any coolers out but did have a mini fridge outside and dirty pot or pan but none of them were messed with. So, I would say your pretty safe. You may just need a bungee as already mentioned, just to be safe.