Hanging Food while backpacking in Alabama

[Sticks]

Good Evening,

Perhaps this topic has been covered but I didn't see it. I was wondering if most folks (or any) hang their food when tent camping on a backpacking trip IN ALABAMA. Lately I've become kinda paranoid about bears when backpacking in Georgia & North Carolina and I always hang my food over there. Ran into bears twice on the A.T. and they couldn't get away fast enough. Since this problem is mostly (if not completely) non-existent in Alabama, I've never hung my food here......just kept it in my tent. Never had a problem so far. I don't camp at or near shelters either so have never had any problems with mice. Would appreciate any feedback on this topic. Thanks.

Sticks

[southmark]

There is no need to hang food in Alabama or on the AT for that matter. I always sleep with my food in my tent on the AT unless I happen to be at a shelter.

[scrambler]

During heavy insect months, I've hung food in Alabama just to keep the ground bugs out, but typically don't hang food in Alabama.

In bear country, I use odor-resistant food bags and always hang my food.

[Mountain Dog]

I never leave my pack or food on the ground outside my tent when in Alabama. I do not worry about bears but raccoons and such can play havock with your gear. In Alabama, I'll probably have my gear inside my tent and the food hung outside. I do not hang it high because I use a Ursack and I trust I will be able to save my food before any varmit could do much damage. I used to keep food inside my tent or hung close by when on the AT. But, I changed after spending a night with a bear walking around my tent. Bears that are in areas sometimes open to hunting are not apt to break into your tent or do any serious damage. But, tourist bears, those used to being fed by tourist, are apt to do anything because they have lost their fear of people. The stretch south of Damascus, Va. has bears that were bothering tourist in other areas of the Smokeys and were relocated. That is an area needing extra precaution.