Ever wonder how animals survive in the wild? They’ve got to eat, but they don’t have supermarkets and trucks bringing food right to them. They need to be able to find their own food. And so do you! But not all of us are as good at finding our next meal as animals are.
There are so many different foods out there that it can be hard to decide what to eat for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or even just an afternoon snack!
Luckily this article is full of wonderful food caching tips and tricks and how you can improve your scavenging skills and become a better hunter-gatherer.
How To Do Food Caching & Avoid Wastage, Robberies & Predators
Having a sound system for caching food is very important. If you go all out and hunt a deer, squirrel, or other game animals, it may take several days to get around to eating the whole thing.
It’s best not only to pre-cache your meats before hunting but also to invest in preserving your food after you’ve caught it. Read on for helpful tips on pre-caching your food and how to preserve it.
1. You Should Cache Lasting Items
In the wild, animals cache their food because it will spoil in a matter of hours. Animals also tend to cache more durable and less perishable foods like meats and fats (nuts and seeds). They know that they can return later to eat them when other food sources are scarce.
Likewise, we should only cache lasting items. These include:
- Dried meat and nuts
- Pickled food
- Meat preserved with salt
2. Be Assured To Find The Cache When You Need It The Most
Animals know that they need to be able to find their caches, even after they’ve been moved or partially eaten. In fact, many animals will cache themselves alongside the food – either at the same time as food storage or shortly afterward – for protection.
Caching yourself makes finding your own cached foods easier and is an excellent way to keep your food safe from predators, other humans, and other animals.
When caching human foods (like canned goods), be sure to mark your caches with different symbols like arrows or X’s if you don’t want to always return to the same spot. Otherwise, you might forget where some of your other food is hidden!
3. Be Aware Of The Predators
Many animals will cache their food in the open when they feel safe from predators. But when they know a predator is nearby, the animal’s caching behavior changes. You should do this, too!
If you see signs of dangerous predators around your caching places, make sure to:
- Caching during the day and moving at night
- Hiding your caches by digging them under or placing them high up
- Building a cache-shelter (see below for instructions on how to do this)
If you know that the area is unsafe, don’t risk it. Find another spot!
4. Add an Unopened Bottle of Liquor to the Cache.
If you’re caching an alcoholic beverage, be sure to add a bottle of liquor (not wine) to your cache. The high proof will help preserve the game meat inside and prevent it from rotting.
When storing alcoholic beverages for an extended time, be sure to store them in glass bottles. The glass will last longer without leaching into the liquid and gives you another option in a variety of situations.
Scout around for a discarded liquor bottle as you’re out caching. Once you’ve found one, remove the label and use the empty glass to leave marks on trees or rocks that will indicate where your next cache is.
5. Keep Some Instruments & Utilities In Cache Too
In addition to caching food, it may also be a good idea to keep some instruments and utilities in your caches as well.
These include:
- A lighter
- A magnifying glass
- Hunting tools like a knife, ax, or saw
- Survival caches gear like a compass
- Rope, wire, string
6. Keep An Eye On Long Term Caches
Caching is most effective when you remember where cached items are hidden. If your game meat, for example, is buried in different survival cache locations all over the area you hunt, it may not be easy to locate quickly and safely.
It’s best to make sure that you know exactly where everything is located before long-term caching anomalies set in.
You can do this by leaving markers or signs you recognize as yours. Examples include:
- Tracking your caches with symbols, words, or other items
- Digging up a cache and checking it periodically to see if its changed location
- Inventorying the food every time you empty the cache for other items or new food
Storing items in separate caches to know where each one is located.
7. Don’t Cache Food In Areas Of Extreme Heat Or Cold
Extreme temperatures can harm your food cache, mainly if they are unseasoned or unsealed after the initial caching supplies process.
Foods like game meat and salt fish can last for a few days or weeks in moderate or cold weather, but these temperatures can be dangerous for food that has been left out longer than necessary.
Store your caches where they will not be exposed to direct sunlight, and avoid digging them up until you’re ready to eat them – even if it’s just a day or two after you initially place them there!
8. Use A Cache Shelter
Building a cache shelter is also an excellent method for protecting your caches from the elements and animals.
Cache shelters are typically made by securing game meat or other edibles to trees or rocks with wire, string, rope, etc. But you can also wrap food in bark, cover it with leaves/grass, or place it in a tarp.
When using a tarp, be sure to attach it to nearby trees or rocks so that animals can’t just tear through the fabric and get your food.
9. Use Nets As Cache Shelters Too
Large nets are also great for hanging over tree branches around caching spots. But be careful because this method could also attract climbers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the need for food caching?
Caching helps you store food in preparing for a later date or time.
Why and when do I start caching food?
Start caching food when you won’t be able to return to the location for some time.
What are the best materials to be used as food caches?
The best materials to use are glass bottles or large nets.
What kind of foods can I store in caches?
You can store any type of food but avoid storing fresh food for longer times.
Where do I place the caches?
Place them somewhere you will remember the location after some time.
Can animals get into the cache if they smell food?
Yes, animals can access caches that have been made poorly.
How do I ensure that my caching system is safe for animals and insects?
Make sure to check your caches now and then for animals or insects. But make sure you don’t disturb a wild animal when caching.
What if I forget where the cache is placed?
Make sure to leave markers or signs that you recognize as yours.
How do I know my cached food will last long enough?
You have to ensure your caches are kept in proper conditions, and there is no direct sunlight on them.
Conclusion
Caching food is a smart way to keep your game meat fresh, but it can be very difficult. You’ll need to know the right places to hide them, how long they will last, and many other factors.
It might take you some time before you’re able to cache food successfully, so start early! Don’t wait until your backpacking trip is just a few days away to try caching.
Also, don’t be afraid to experiment with different techniques and strategies until you find one that works for you!
Good luck, and happy caching!
