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Will a porta potty attract animals at a hunting camp?

Luis A.asked 2 viewsHome Renovations & Long-termOdorPlacementLong term rentalWildlifeHunting camp

We run a hunting camp in the Montana backcountry and are setting up for the season. The camp will have a crew of about six guys for three months straight, with no septic system on site. I'm planning to rent a standard portable toilet for the duration. The unit will be placed on a flat spot near the tents, a good 40 yards from the cook area. The service truck can drive right to it for the weekly pump-out. My big worry is the wildlife. We have black bears in the area, and I'm concerned the smell from the holding tank will act like a dinner bell. The rental company uses a formaldehyde-free deodorizer, which they say helps with odor. Does a porta potty actually attract bears or other animals? And if so, what's the best way to secure it or manage the smell to keep them away?

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Ashley M.Boise, ID

A porta potty can pull curious wildlife if the holding tank is overdue for service or the deodorizer charge is weak, but bears usually hit the cook area and trash first.

At our place we keep a standard unit out by the packing shed during harvest. Critters sniff around when the tank gets ripe between pickups, but the real dinner bell is food scraps and open trash. Your 40 yards from the cook tents is smart. Keep the cook garbage sealed and away from the toilet so you are not stacking two smells in one spot.

Weekly pump outs matter more than anything fancy for odor. Ask the driver to keep the holding tank charged with fresh deodorizer each visit and make sure the door latches shut so raccoons and smaller animals cannot climb in. A flat pad with clear truck access for that weekly stop is already half the battle.

I would not try to bear proof the plastic cabin itself. Focus on camp hygiene, keep the unit serviced on schedule, and leave a little space between the toilet and where you store food. That combination has worked for us on remote acreage without turning the rental into a wildlife buffet.

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