I've been hanging my backpack, with food in it, for years. I only hike 1-3 times a year. Where I hike, rodents is more of a concern then bears. So insted of leaving my pack on the ground and bagging my food, I hand the entire pack. Not an easy feat. But the need is the same; keep my food from being devoured by beasts other than my self, and keep my pack from having holes chewed in it. Am I being overly cautious about my backpack?

Depends on where you hike really.

I keep my food in my Ursack and I am not in Grizzly area, so I sleep with my pack under my feet, food outside.

Works for me.

Since I don't keep my food in scent-free bags, I'm concerned smells left behind in my pack will be enough to attract rodents that never think to use a zipper to a pocket, but chew their one door to get in.