Food storage in desert passages

[jonathanpatt]

Though I live and day hike in desert, nearly all of my backpacking has been at higher elevation, in bear country and where there are trees to hang food, so I am less familiar with food storage practices used when there aren't high trees to do a proper hang (but also aren't bears, generally). I'm interested in hearing what other people have done for food storage along passages of the Arizona Trail where bears aren't a concern (but coyotes, rats, mice, ringtailed cats, coatimundi, etc. might be). Canister or some other sort of rigid container? Ursack or similar puncture resistant bag hung off the highest bush in the area? Sleep with your food bag beside you? Something else?

[big_load]

I use an Ursack, tied to whatever seems up to the task.

[Tough_Boots]

I always use my ratsack wherever I go though I doubt it would stop a ringtail or a coati. Using a smell proof bag inside a ratsack might be helpful. I wouldn't pack in any special container, though.

[ttretta]

I use an Ursack combined with double odor proof bagging, both in and out of bear country. I vary where I tie it depending on the terrain.

[rcorfman]

If I'm worried about mice, I'll hang my food bag otherwise I just put it near my head so I can hear anything messing with it at night. I usually only worry about mice when I camp in places that other people camp at.

[nonot]

The ratsack (or the many equivalent made out of stainless steel mesh with velcro closure) works well when you don't have to worry about bears.

[autumnstars]

Be sure to hang if you use a ratsack and plan to leave it unattended for any period of time. Ravens can easily pry open the mesh if they have the ground or another object to press against - just ask writeslots!

I have an Ursack, and like others have said, the odor-proof bags are key. When there are no trees, I tie it to something, just so no animal can drag the whole thing away.