In 30 or 40 trips to the Bwca and Q, I had never encountered a bear. Can't say that anymore.

I was on a six day solo entering the BWCA at 14, Little Indian Sioux north. I started on Sunday, 6/10/18. I started out around noon and was on Loon Lake around 5:30. (I am slow) The second campsite on the right looked great and was empty. I later learned that the people staying there lost their hanging food pack to the bear and had to head out.

I set up my hammock and was sitting near the fire great unpacking my cook kit when I turned around and saw a large black bear walking past the hammock. I shouted at it to go away and it ambled off. Around 7:30 I was frying up a smallmouth to go with a side of Thai Noodles with seseme seeds when I looked up at the lake and the bear was standing there watching me, from about 10 feet away.








I then practiced the first rule of bear safety by telling the bear not to move while I went over to my pack to take out my phone to take the picture. The bear stayed where it was and after taking the picture, I shouted at the bear to go away and it did.

During the next four days, I went north through Slim and continued to Snow Bay, returning to Loon Lake through Lac La Croix, returning to the same campsite. I decided to go out the next day, after learning about the weather forecast. I learned from people I ran into that the bear had gotten to at least three or four other hanging food packs during this time and was starting to act aggressively towards people. One pack was still hanging with the bottom ripped out, which tells me it was not hung at an appropriate height. I think when a bear sees a hanging pack, it sees a pinata, and most people don't know how to properly hang a pack. I now use an Ursak, and the bear walked right by it without realizing it was food.

On my way out, on Thursday the 14th, I met two conservation officers at the south end of the portage from Loon into Pauness. They were coming in for the bear. They caught up to me by the time I was bringing my stuff up to the parking lot. They told me that at the north end of the same portage where I saw them the bear went after their packs as they were loading the packs into the canoe. They also said it was the biggest bear they had seen in the BWCA. So if you explore the north end of the cascade portage, you can probably find the skeleton. I wonder if it would have been legal for me to go back and skin it?

We have been stashing our food in barrels in the woods.....Cliff Jacobson recommendation. Obviously this guy had to go....if he is greeting folk on the portages. At least you followed the first rule....get some pictures

:-)

dr bob

Wow, thanks for taking the time. Good story. Glad nothing bad happened.

You're lucky that the bear didn't care for Thai Noodles or he may have insisted staying for dinner.

Dang, that's close. Was this the same one bothering Shell or have they had and killed 2 problem bears there this year?

Chicagored, it was nice meeting you at the bunkhouse before our trips. I’m glad the bruin didn’t cause you any more trouble than he did. Great picture!

And you got him to smile for the camera too.

It's a shame to think that this bear is no longer.

Thanks for sharing the story. Glad you didn't have any issues and can now answer that bear question in the affirmative!

We met you on the devils cascade portage... You where great to talk to... We where struggling on portage’s and you said I just take my time I’m not in a rush and I don’t know it just clicked what are we rushing for. It was great to meet you!! (We where the people with the outriggers) Great picture of the bear!! I’m glad you where ok.

Our cat likes Thai noodles.

That’s a great pic and seems like you touched a lot of people,on your trip. Yes, it is sad that bear is gone. But sometimes it needs to happen. Wish people did a better job with their food. That low hanging pack tells us a lot about how they get those habits. Glad to hear the Ursack worked well, even with a very habituated bear.

Wow! Great story! Thank you for sharing! Love the photo!

Yep, sometimes bears need to go.habituated bears don't change and the sows teach their young. I detest the thought of disposing of fish remains on land near campsites as it only encourages bears to seek food near campsites. A stupid policy IMO.

The Indians had a saying, "the eagle seen it, the deer heard it and the bear smelled it".

A bears world is its nose and in that respect they are very similar to canines. Unless they have learned that your blue barrel has food in it if odorless most bears won't bother.

If you stash, as per Cliff Jacobsons recommendations, just make certain nothing odoriferous is emanating from your chosen container. Make abundant use of zip locks and double bagging is a good policy.

Another reason I like the Watershed Duffels........their ziplock seal is extraordinary and watertight to 30 ft. That's quite a seal. Airtight? Perhaps not but better than most other options. I also make use of barrels and ursak bags. Being in 30 miles from nowhere is not a good place to get clipped. Once was enough for me.

Great story and great photo. Glad he didn't go for your Ursack, and double glad he didn't think your hammock was a poorly hung bear bag!

Chicagored, it was nice to meet you at the EP that morning. I was with the group of 4 that launched ahead of you. Wish I could have given you a warning, we had come across the same group that had been raided at the Loon campsite earlier that day. Hope you still had a great trip. You were right, that "portage" into Fat was it's own kind of bear. =)

-Tom

airmorse: "And you got him to smile for the camera too.


It's a shame to think that this bear is no longer."

Agree. People go out in bear country and hang food packs funky, keep sloppy campsites and a hungry bear becomes a 'nuisance bear' then pays dearly.
Bear-proof containers should be mandatory. We spend a good bit of $$$ outfitting ourselves with canoe(s), clothing, tents, tarps, fishing gear, and stoves so a bear vault wouldn't break the bank.

Chicagored, seems you handled yourself calmly. Bravo. I assume you had a night of restful, solid sleep. ;-)

When you do things properly bears don't mess with ya too badly. I've never lost anything to a bear. I guess that makes my daughter's dog problemic. Haha...
Ya wonder why some people even attempt to hang... Oh yeah, the mice. Haha.
I can just picture a bunch of mice jumping up and down hollering to high, to high.
The bear just came by and fed the poor mice.
Glad you sustained no losses.

Stimpy: "Chicagored, it was nice meeting you at the bunkhouse before our trips. I’m glad the bruin didn’t cause you any more trouble than he did. Great picture!"

I enjoyed our conversation. I hope your dad had a good time. The weather was great through Friday, and the fish were biting, though slowly.

mitch

Stephmed: "We met you on the devils cascade portage... You where great to talk to... We where struggling on portage’s and you said I just take my time I’m not in a rush and I don’t know it just clicked what are we rushing for. It was great to meet you!! (We where the people with the outriggers) Great picture of the bear!! I’m glad you where ok. "

When I solo, I find that the portages take much longer then when I travel with others. I now realize its because I take the time to talk to everyone. You meet the greatest people when in the backcountry. Glad I was able to improve your trip!


mitch

andym: "Our cat likes Thai noodles.


That’s a great pic and seems like you touched a lot of people,on your trip. Yes, it is sad that bear is gone. But sometimes it needs to happen. Wish people did a better job with their food. That low hanging pack tells us a lot about how they get those habits. Glad to hear the Ursack worked well, even with a very habituated bear."

Over the years, I have gone more and more to a backpacking approach to food. Everything I bring is either in its original packaging or dehydrated and vacuum sealed. I used to use a 5 gallon olive barrel that a greek restaurant gave me, but switched to an Ursack and can fit a weeks worth of food for one into 1 sack.

tombo131: "Chicagored, it was nice to meet you at the EP that morning. I was with the group of 4 that launched ahead of you. Wish I could have given you a warning, we had come across the same group that had been raided at the Loon campsite earlier that day. Hope you still had a great trip. You were right, that "portage" into Fat was it's own kind of bear. =)


-Tom"

After the portage into Slim Lake from Loon, I was wiped out, so I applaud the fact that you then took the "portage" to Fat. I had a great trip, and caught fish most days.

m

Wow, way to keep your cool. That’s impressive. I was surprised when you said you went back to the same campsite. Trying to get a selfie with the bear?? Nice work. Sounds like you made some new friends along the way besides Yogi. Impressive as well.

mjmkjun: "

airmorse: "And you got him to smile for the camera too.



It's a shame to think that this bear is no longer."

Agree. People go out in bear country and hang food packs funky, keep sloppy campsites and a hungry bear becomes a 'nuisance bear' then pays dearly."

Last week I saw a bag hanging at a site, maybe only 6 feet above the ground and within a few feet of a tent. I really hope it was not a food bag.

mastertangler: "r young. I detest the thought of disposing of fish remains on land near campsites as it only encourages bears to seek food near campsites. A stupid policy IMO.

"

Not sure that's ever been the policy. Every time I pick up a permit the folks at the ranger stations always say to dispose of the fish remains far away from any campsite or portage. I've had them say the same thing on many occasions virtually word for word so I'm going to assume that is the official policy.

Doing so works well it just takes a little effort for everyone to follow through with it. If the policy said to sink the remains in deep water that would also work but again requires follow through by everyone. The lazy folks will burn you either way.

With the Ursack do you use the scent free liner? And do you tie it to a tree away from camp?

If I was cooking and looked up and saw a bear like that I likely would not have handled it so well.

It probably would have looked like an old black and white slapstick comedy routine and I would be glad nobody had it on video.

GearJunkie: "With the Ursack do you use the scent free liner? And do you tie it to a tree away from camp?"

I do both. I started using Ursacks in 2001 and for years they came with the Opsak liners and the designer very much pushed their use. I am guessing that they no longer come with the liners because of the switch to larger scale manufacturing and sales through stores such as REI. I’m not sure why they can’t include a liner now but that seems to be the switch. In the old days, he shipped from his house and may have had more ability to package things together.

I hope people keep using the liners or another scent blocking bag. I really don’t want bears getting used to going after the Ursacks. I have to admit that I am both happy for his success after many years working at this and a bit worried about them becoming heavily used which means some poor use.

Chicagored: "In 30 or 40 trips to the Bwca and Q, I had never encountered a bear. Can't say that anymore.





I then practiced the first rule of bear safety by telling the bear not to move while I went over to my pack to take out my phone to take the picture. The bear stayed where it was and after taking the picture, I shouted at the bear to go away and it did.


it?"

Where did you come up with thinking that talking to a bear is the first rule of bear safety


Another old wife's tale that doesn't have any merit in practice.


Dr. Tom Smith say talking to bears is stupid and does not accomplish anything.


As he stated BEARS DON'T UNDERSTAND HUMAN LANGUAGE.


His first rule is get your protection out and get it ready.


He totally destroys a lot of the old myths and wife's tales on how to behave around bears.


Dr. Tom Smith Bear talk.

riverrunner:
Where did you come up with thinking that talking to a bear is the first rule of bear safety



Another old wife's tale that doesn't have any merit in practice.



Dr. Tom Smith say talking to bears is stupid and does not accomplish anything.



As he stated BEARS DON'T UNDERSTAND HUMAN LANGUAGE.



His first rule is get your protection out and get it ready.



He totally destroys a lot of the old myths and wife's tales on how to behave around bears.



Dr. Tom Smith Bear talk. "

WHOOOOOSH

andym: "

GearJunkie: "With the Ursack do you use the scent free liner? And do you tie it to a tree away from camp?"

I do both. I started using Ursacks in 2001 and for years they came with the Opsak liners and the designer very much pushed their use. I am guessing that they no longer come with the liners because of the switch to larger scale manufacturing and sales through stores such as REI. I’m not sure why they can’t include a liner now but that seems to be the switch. In the old days, he shipped from his house and may have had more ability to package things together.


I hope people keep using the liners or another scent blocking bag. I really don’t want bears getting used to going after the Ursacks. I have to admit that I am both happy for his success after many years working at this and a bit worried about them becoming heavily used which means some poor use. "

Thank you. First time using both. Gonna stick to the plan of tying to a tree away from camp

riverrunner: "

Where did you come up with thinking that talking to a bear is the first rule of bear safety



Another old wife's tale that doesn't have any merit in practice.



Dr. Tom Smith say talking to bears is stupid and does not accomplish anything.



As he stated BEARS DON'T UNDERSTAND HUMAN LANGUAGE.



His first rule is get your protection out and get it ready.



He totally destroys a lot of the old myths and wife's tales on how to behave around bears.



Dr. Tom Smith Bear talk. "

Well, the bear *did* clearly hold still enough for a nice photo, so I'm guessing this is one of those bears that is capable of understanding human language. Also, I once yelled at a bear that it should run away, and it did, so there's that, too.

I agree with Carmike, that bear clearly understood English. It's a nice photo.
I think some humans don't understand English satire since I thought it was absolutely hilarious the way he wrote his story about talking to the bear!!

Tom

3rd vote for that being an english-speaking bear. It's obvious!

Tom Smith has probably confused bears not listening to him with bears not understanding him. He should try saying "please" and "thank you" next time.

Who knows for sure what effect speech may have on a bear. They are individuals after all. I spoke rather harshly to a mom bear which blocked the trail in Glacier. Her cubs, which I hadn't seen, took to the trees and she backed off.

Frankly I think it is rather sketchy (with all due respect) that your first inclination is to go for a camera instead of a deterrent. I might have done the same thing but it still shouldn't be your first reaction. Grabbing a can of spray and standing silently aside while the bear looks camp over for food and hopefully leaving after not finding anything. The spray comes into use if Yogi shows any interest in me.

Then, even if Yogi left, I would likely break camp and leave. To many people have had return visits with bad results.

Then, even if Yogi left, I would likely break camp and leave. To many people have had return visits with bad results. "

I just had a friend on SAK last week that did just this. Large Bear showed up at campsite, he tried to scare it away, it eventually meandered off into the woods, totally oblivious to him.

Sure enough, 10 minutes later, it circled around and came into camp from the opposite direction, my friend and his tripping partner again scared it off.

They then broke camp and moved, figuring it would be a long night and the bear would be back for sure after dark.

tumblehome: "I agree with Carmike, that bear clearly understood English. It's a nice photo.
I think some humans don't understand English satire since I thought it was absolutely hilarious the way he wrote his story about talking to the bear!!


Tom
"

+1

I also agree that this bear barely understands English. Nice photo.

It takes some forbearance to read these bear threads...

Thanks for sharing your experience with us. I like your humor too in this situation, keeping a cool head and getting the bear to stay in pose while you grabbed your camera. Experiences like these are awesome and rare.
Bears only want your food and so the lazy, sloppy, or just uneducated people contribute to bears learning that camp sites are an easy score.
As to the fish remains issue, I still don't understand why we do anything but throw fish remains back in the water away from camp sites and portages. Lakes are made to recycle fish remains. Thats where fish normally live and die. What could be more natural than giving them back to the lake?
I have heard every possible idea about what to do with fish remains over the years from the USPS. I was told by a ranger while picking up my permit last month that they recommend throwing fish into woods well away from camp and portage, "because setting fish on shore away from camp was bringing in seagulls, which are non-native". My head was spinning from this one. Seagulls are non-native? Where do they come up with this stuff? Read Sig Olson and how all the seagulls come in and nest in the superior/Quetico. This was written many decades ago. And really what is native to the BW? What was there 15000 years ago but glaciers, every living thing up there was invasive since then. But thats a another topic.
As far as hanging goes I like what Cliff Jacobson said(paraphrasing) in a video I watched, "There are 2 trees in the BWCA that meet hanging standards". I believe his approach to stashing pack in the woods outside of camp to be optimal. No more searching for "The Branch" or carrying ropes and or pulleys. I stow mine in the woods right before bed so it's out there only while I sleep.
My only bear experience was back in 1985, I was on a 3 week Outward Bound course. We had hung our food pack in camp and left the lake to go to the next lake to rock climb and repel up and down a big cliff for the day. When we returned to camp in late afternoon our food pack was still hanging but was ripped badly and all it's contents strewn all over camp. We had hung pack correctly but this bear had climbed out on the branch and jumped down on the pack, maybe multiple times, this wasn't it's first rodeo. Back then there weren't all the tasty options for food like now. Mostly noodles, dry beans, bannock and spices from what I remember and so the bear really just targeted the high fat stuff like our butter. This bear would come back into camp about every hour for the rest of the evening and night. We hung pots and pans on the food pack so we would hear it, and were ready with flashlights and loud voices when it returned. Our leader, her name was Jaqualyn(sp?), smart, tough and respected by all us 17 yr old boys for here outdoor knowledge and skills, told us this was probably something we did wrong by not keeping the outside of liner bag and or food pack clean. She told us that black bears need not be feared, but we should respect them and have a good understanding of what motivates a bear to come into contact with people, the last thing a normal black bear wants to do.
I firmly believe the reason I have not seen a bear in camp since then is due to my Outward Bound experience, and the wilderness education I received through them. I think everyone needs a "wilderness smart" mentor to teach them how to behave in the wild when they first experience the wild. I hope most people in the BW aren't being lazy but just lack the training and skills. You can fix ignorance easier than laziness. The video for a permit just isn't enough. Mike

Thanks for sharing your experience with us. I like your humor too in this situation, keeping a cool head and getting the bear to stay in pose while you grabbed your camera. Experiences like these are awesome and rare.
Bears only want your food and so the lazy, sloppy, or just uneducated people contribute to bears learning that camp sites are an easy score.
As to the fish remains issue, I still don't understand why we do anything but throw fish remains back in the water away from camp sites and portages. Lakes are made to recycle fish remains. Thats where fish normally live and die. What could be more natural than giving them back to the lake?
I have heard every possible idea about what to do with fish remains over the years from the USPS. I was told by a ranger while picking up my permit last month that they recommend throwing fish into woods well away from camp and portage, "because setting fish on shore away from camp was bringing in seagulls, which are non-native". My head was spinning from this one. Seagulls are non-native? Where do they come up with this stuff? Read Sig Olson and how all the seagulls come in and nest in the superior/Quetico. This was written many decades ago. And really what is native to the BW? What was there 15000 years ago but glaciers, every living thing up there was invasive since then. But thats a another topic.
As far as hanging goes I like what Cliff Jacobson said(paraphrasing) in a video I watched, "There are 2 trees in the BWCA that meet hanging standards". I believe his approach to stashing pack in the woods outside of camp to be optimal. No more searching for "The Branch" or carrying ropes and or pulleys. I stow mine in the woods right before bed so it's out there only while I sleep.
My only bear experience was back in 1985, I was on a 3 week Outward Bound course. We had hung our food pack in camp and left the lake to go to the next lake to rock climb and repel up and down a big cliff for the day. When we returned to camp in late afternoon our food pack was still hanging but was ripped badly and all it's contents strewn all over camp. We had hung pack correctly but this bear had climbed out on the branch and jumped down on the pack, maybe multiple times, this wasn't it's first rodeo. Back then there weren't all the tasty options for food like now. Mostly noodles, dry beans, bannock and spices from what I remember and so the bear really just targeted the high fat stuff like our butter. This bear would come back into camp about every hour for the rest of the evening and night. We hung pots and pans on the food pack so we would hear it, and were ready with flashlights and loud voices when it returned. Our leader, her name was Jaqualyn(sp?), smart, tough and respected by all us 17 yr old boys for here outdoor knowledge and skills, told us this was probably something we did wrong by not keeping the outside of liner bag and or food pack clean. She told us that black bears need not be feared, but we should respect them and have a good understanding of what motivates a bear to come into contact with people, the last thing a normal black bear wants to do.
I firmly believe the reason I have not seen a bear in camp since then is due to my Outward Bound experience, and the wilderness education I received through them. I think everyone needs a "wilderness smart" mentor to teach them how to behave in the wild when they first experience the wild. I hope most people in the BW aren't being lazy but just lack the training and skills. You can fix ignorance easier than laziness. The video for a permit just isn't enough. Mike

minnmike: " I have heard every possible idea about what to do with fish remains over the years from the USPS. "

Darn spell checker. Does that include return to sender? :)

LOL, USFS. I didn't think that looked right. I'm glad thats what you picked up from my post.

Some people will not agree with my food storage approach. I keep my food in a square plastic bucket that is in a small pack. At night I put a bear bell on the pack and set right next to my tent.

I haven't hung a food pack in 20 years. While I mostly dislike everything Cliff says, I agree that there are but two trees in the bwca that would work for hanging a pack and one of them blew down last winter.

Hanging a food pack at night just makes it easy for humans to feel like they did the right thing before going to bed
Tom

As to the fish remains issue, I still don't understand why we do anything but throw fish remains back in the water away from camp sites and portages. Mike

Agreed Mike,
In Alaska we were required to throw our fish remains back into the water, why?
Because they attract bears.
Just wish the USPS ;-) would agree.