How do you deal with bird droppings?

[tennistime99]

Never dealt with bird droppings, but I did have a misting of maple sap this summer. Luckily it wiped off easy with a damp towel. I think you could just wait to clean at home rather than pack extra water.

Sent from my XT1575 using Tapatalk

[OneClick]

No tarp poop after 4.5 years with me. Much of the time I never even use a tarp, so things could get messy if my flying friends ever target me.

I guess if I did, I think I could clean it up with "one square" given the small load size

[BeechGirl]

I never had it happen in the woods. Only in a campground. Was the ground covered in poop under the tree? I have one tree in the backyard that the birds all stay in and anything under it gets pooped on. I would never hang there. I assume this was not backpacking based on what you said. If I was in the woods and had it happen I would use whatever leaves and dew I found to get most of it off then some tp to finish it up.

[OutandBack]

Garden hose, backyard, during gear cleanup time post hike.

[vuanguyen]

Great question! Never thought about it since it ha never occurred to me. But I can imagine that this can be quite a nuisance. Can a tarp help with such a situation???

[ouroboros]

Never had it happen but I carry a small towel in my pack all the time (about 1.5'x2.5') and I'm sure getting it damp and wiping it off would work fine. Haven't dealt with bird droppings but I have dealt with sap, etc.

[southernfire97]

So true. This reminds me of when I was on Whiteblaze looking for a solo tent and a few keys folks would ask me, "why do you want to sleep on the ground?" !!

But sounds like his camping in limited, and I know even in very forested N.Ga, these campgrounds tend to be cleared of trees, or the trees are unhealthy, or too large (widowmakers), or are simply strict about adherance to camping on tent pads.

That's what a good turtledog stand is for.

[W8lkinUSA]

as for free camping in Texas...yeah I know..it sucks, but you do have a few options for free, dispersed camping along the Lone Star Trail in Sam Houston National Forest.

Thanks. While I can save $15+, Sam Houston is nearly 3 hours away from me, so I'd only go once or twice a year. Time is expensive nowadays..

Why do you want to sleep in a tent in the summer time?

No trees above me => no bird droppings.
Electric campsites => fans.
No trees at some campsites => tent required.

I've lived in New England for a few years and have camped in the Rockies once. So, saying that I envy campsites north of Texas would be an understatement.

Normally here in Florida there is enough dew on the tarp in the AM that a handful of Spanish Moss or Grass will just wipe the droppings off. Part of sharing the woods with the animals.

Sleeping in is normal for me. As a matter of fact, I stayed up with friends until 5am and slept in until 11am on my last trip. There's also no moss and very little grass in Central Texas.

If you have a RR, ... I presume its double layer?

I'm not getting the bust part as it relates to your new hobby and the cleaning of gear at your apt and/or taking along extra water for cleaning in the field.

Happens nearly every time out that some bird takes target practice, but its nothing I've ever given a second thought to.

Yes, my Ridgerunner is double-layer. I've just discovered issues with condensation during cold weather, so I'll need to research the temperatures at which this begins to occurr...

When the benefits become less than 60%, I begin to question whether my quest is even worthwhile.. Time is valuable to me. Though not terribly comfortable, I've spent many nights on my livingroom's carpet (plus rug), so an air pad probably won't be so bad..

Since I'm often at campsites, I suspect birds stick around for the scraps. I just happen to be underneath their favorite perches. What can I say, I am lazy with cleaning since it isn't very fun.

No tarp poop after 4.5 years with me.

How lucky!!

I never had it happen in the woods. Only in a campground. Was the ground covered in poop under the tree?

If there were bird droppings, I couldn't tell. Once my backpacking gear purchased and my body recovers, I'll try my luck in more primative areas (don't get me started about backpacking in Texas; it's like playing ice hockey here...). Less work when I get home would be a real treat.

[gargoyle]

Tarps are waterproof, so clean up is generally a quick wipe with a damp cloth. A small amount of water is all that is needed.
If the droppings are dried, they will usually flake off. Clean up in the field is best, while the tarp is deployed.
$hit happens...

[Freakin Farmer]

Let it dry and it should fall right off. A quick flick from the underside of the tarp should eliminate any spots that don't come off. Works for me, anyway.