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       FYI....bear issues on Shell
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Date/Time: 03/28/2024 06:43PM
FYI....bear issues on Shell

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Previous Messages:
Author Message Text
gopher2307 06/25/2018 08:47PM
I would imagine the two gentlemen sent in to address the bear aren't given the direction to just blast the first bear they see in the area. One would think they would attempt to observe the reportedly nuisance bear engaging in nuisance behavior, and then bust their strap. Relying on reports alone, while more reliable than no information at all, is probably not the lone operating procedure. I'd imagine those two guys make the final call from a first hand account.


That said, I'm glad they took the effort to engage sooner than later. Aside from what it means about this one, it seems to suggest the other bears must not be too much of a problem or they would be getting 'dealt with' as well.
MN_Lindsey 06/24/2018 04:50PM
Eek, but a bear who has become habituated to human activity needs to be dealt with.
inspector13 06/18/2018 11:03AM

The MN DNR makes the call. I couldn’t give anything more specific.


kegger70 06/18/2018 10:08AM
cowdoc: "Not surprised. Lots of encounters already for mid June. He was going to be trouble. I wonder who makes that call? "


No idea. I also what wonders what happens to the bear once hey shoot it. The game warden was pretty somber about it. It’s too bad because likely this bear figured this out because of human interaction. He left us with a gentle reminder to take care of your packs and follow the rules.
cowdoc 06/17/2018 10:15PM
Not surprised. Lots of encounters already for mid June. He was going to be trouble. I wonder who makes that call?
egknuti 06/17/2018 09:21PM
Thanks. Good to know.ill be up there tomorrow.
airmorse 06/17/2018 09:12PM
kegger70: "For anyone heading towards the Shell/Loon area:



I went into entry 14 with my group on the 14th, and on our second portage to Upper Pauness, we encountered 2 game wardens who were strapped to the gills. Upon noticing the second 12 gauge, my dad asked if they had to use it, and they responded with the nuisance bear issue was no longer an issue. RIP Bear.



In conclusion, the bear problem is not a problem anymore."



Well that didn't take long.


kegger70 06/17/2018 08:57PM
For anyone heading towards the Shell/Loon area:


I went into entry 14 with my group on the 14th, and on our second portage to Upper Pauness, we encountered 2 game wardens who were strapped to the gills. Upon noticing the second 12 gauge, my dad asked if they had to use it, and they responded with the nuisance bear issue was no longer an issue. RIP Bear.


In conclusion, the bear problem is not a problem anymore.
sns 06/16/2018 04:02PM
nctry: "you need to bring a good deterrent."


Hmm...well...I suppose I could bring my wife...
nctry 06/16/2018 10:45AM
Upper pauness was the first and most persistent bear I ever encountered. This was back in about '78. Down by the lake with buddy playing cards. Looked up to a bear dragging the food pack away. I ran after him with my old chessy Ruby. Ruby sounded tough as nails but wisely stayed behind me. The bear dropped the pack and ran off. The pack was pretty slobbered up. If your going into the area knowing there is a problem you need to bring a good deterrent.
tombo131 06/16/2018 10:23AM
Came across a group on the eastern side of Loon on 6/10 that were raided midday while the pack was hung. Maybe same bear?
schweady 06/15/2018 12:50PM
Brings back memories of the bear in our tent on our very first night ever in the BWCAW. Same area. Shell Lake, site #C0049. Some things never change.
egknuti 06/10/2018 02:37PM
Thanks for the heads up. I’m heading to that area on the 18th.
cowdoc 06/10/2018 01:10PM
Yup, it was two guys and a kid. Met you on the portage out of Shell. Hope Yogi didn't mess things up any worse for you than moving....bad enough. I'll check the report.
Nordic77 06/10/2018 10:03AM
Yep, you might've talked to us. My brother-in-law and I took our young nephew on his first BW trip. We camped on Shell three nights. Had to move camp because of this animal. Even so, we had the bear in both camps.


I just posted a report about the whole experience before I saw your post.


Take care.
pswith5 06/10/2018 09:29AM
Oh my!!
Goldenbadger 06/10/2018 06:32AM
We were on Shell last August. The folks at VNO told us of bear issues on the SW side of Shell. We were on the island and never had issues (not that islands are bear proof!). But maybe this is the same bear.
cowdoc 06/09/2018 05:58PM
Came out from Hustler yesterday to LIS entry. Ran into a group day tripping on Little Shell that said they were camped on west side of Shell and had a very persistent bear during the night. Also met a group on west Shell portage that had been on south side and had probably the same bear earlier in the night. After they finally got it chased off, they heard yelling up the west shore later.... probably the first people we talked to. Told the people at CCO about it and they had had a report a week or so ago also.