Just had a group come back and said they had lots of bears on Nina Moose. Turned out it was a mama bear & 3 cubs. They were reported to be very persistent but not aggressive. Definitely hungry and looking for food. Didn't hardly pay attention to the people who were banging pots & pans.

It was the last night our customers were there and there was no report of food or gear stolen.

Dry weather = no berries = extra hungry bears?

or

Lots of first timers not keeping a clean camp and bears getting more human food than usual? Or a little of both?

VoyageurNorth: "Just had a group come back and said they had lots of bears on Nina Moose. Turned out it was a mama bear & 3 cubs. They were reported to be very persistent but not aggressive. Definitely hungry and looking for food. Didn't hardly pay attention to the people who were banging pots & pans.

It was the last night our customers were there and there was no report of food or gear stolen."

I believe these 4 bears are the ones that were on Agnes. I came out last Tuesday from Oyster and met a group that was staying on Agnes. They had those bears in camp and they reported talking to another group where the momma bear tore
through the tent because they had left food in the tent.

Lynn - Did the group mention which site? We were on Nina Moose #1787 this past Mon-Thu and saw no evidence of bear activity. That site is one of the more northerly on the lake and heavily used, so figured if they were the ones moving down from Agnes, it would be a likely stop on their circuit. (This was one John thought might have been closed...)

We had purposely stopped short of Agnes due to previous bear activity reports. Well, and due to the wind... and the heat... :-)

We're happy Bear Vault users, BTW.

When I was there for 5 nights 3 weeks ago we did not have bear problems but others did.

Received the same report of a sow with 3 cubs.

We saw them from the water around 10am Friday (July 3rd). They were checking out the (vacant) northwestern site on Nina Moose. We were on our way in from 3 nights on southeast Agnes and didn't see any activity there.

I was picking blue berries last weekend in Ely, I hope the bears will find them too!

Does 3" of rain sound about right since Sunday night?

I’m going through Nina Moose and Agnes at the end of August and I’m hoping to get through the area before having to stop. I even bought an Ursack which I never thought I’d do. Also thinking about cooking and eating away from camp which I’ve never done. I think the bears are just conditioned to check the sites out of habituation.

Nigal: "Also thinking about cooking and eating away from camp which I’ve never done. I think the bears are just conditioned to check the sites out of habituation. "

Cooking and eating away from camp will not reduce the chance of a problem bear nearby stopping by. Their sense of smell will lead them to wherever you are. Keep your camp clean and food stowed to prevent odors. Keep food and toothpaste out of your tent.

Please note that the current bear issues on Agnes and Nina Moose are on a few of the busiest lakes in that part of the bwca. Bears should be expected to be hanging around like bears do on every busy route.

The bear issue is really a human issue. Too many people with fun smelling food.

In my 70 trips I have only encountered a problem bear one time.
Tom

No it is really a bear issue.

And just a sow and 3 cubs issue.

Take care of the problem bears no more issue.

tumblehome: "

Nigal: "Also thinking about cooking and eating away from camp which I’ve never done. I think the bears are just conditioned to check the sites out of habituation. "

Cooking and eating away from camp will not reduce the chance of a problem bear nearby stopping by. Their sense of smell will lead them to wherever you are. Keep your camp clean and food stowed to prevent odors."

Will it eliminate bears coming into camp? No. Will it reduce the chances of a bear coming in? Absolutely. Compare the difference on the chances by imagining me sitting in camp. Now imagine me sitting in camp eating a steak.

It’s not an esoteric mystery as to what will increase and decrease bear encounters.

acanoer: "No it is really a bear issue.


And just a sow and 3 cubs issue.


Take care of the problem bears no more issue."

I'm sort of thinking that the BWCA might not be a good destination for you. You see industry, natures infliction on mankind, and commerce. Most people see sunrises, natural beauty, and solitude.

Sorry,
Tom

Last year was too good. Sow has too many cubs to feed in a drier year. She can't gain weight for the winter and feed the cubs enough to last through the winter too. Unfortunately, she has discovered an alternate source of food (with more calories faster) and there are just enough newbies (Food in the tent?! Sheesh!) that she has become successful. Unfortunately, she is teaching the cubs the bad behavior and it may cost all of them their lives.