You gotta call off the dogs on this one, PJ.  It's always so much fun when it's an issue like this that is important to everyone and so many people are fanatical that their way is the only way!

Call these topics "phoenix" as they arise from the ashes again and again.

Me?  I quit hanging more'n 20 years ago and have yet to have a problem.  I think choosing the right campsite is the best bear deterrent there is.  If I ever camp in an area that has signs of recent bear activity you can be sure of 2 things:

1.  I will use pots and pans to set up a bear alarm.

2.  There is no better unoccupied campsite that was within reach before full dark set in.

I refuse to hang a pack unless there are trees around that will allow me to hang the requisite distance off the ground, below the tree limb, and away from the tree trunk (10 feet, four feet, and four feet, respectively).  I find such trees only occasionally.  Anything else is a bear pinata.  Hanging also allows maximum odor dispersal by any breeze which can call a bear right into camp.  Then there's the problem of leeches, toothpaste, deodorant, scent-impregnated baits, the landing net, etc., etc., etc.  While  having a bear get into these items is decidedly less catastrophic than a bear in the food, all of these could also attract a bear's interest.  Far better to just pick a campsite that bear are unlikely to visit in the first place.

But that's just me and I'm not out to convert anyone.  Hang 'em if you want to.  I will admit the bear barrells are intriguing, but most are too big or too small to fit with my packing system.