A wolf howl, a moose swimming across the lake, a Minnesota black bear... being cautious and sleeping with one eye open is a joke to me. I've never read a post where any of those animals harmed or killed anyone in here, so why sleep with one eye open?

I personally have seen bears and moose in the BWCA and love hearing the wolves howl at night and at dawn, but people on here are too scared. They are not going to eat you unless you provoke them.

Is there anyone who has camped when they were actively being hunted by wolves, bears or moose?

I did sleep with the hatchet next to my cot while winter camping in the Hiawatha National Forest. I was awakened by the blood-curdling scream of a nearby bobcat.... sounded like a crying baby being tortured.

Bears, wolves, and moose do not actively hunt humans, moose are vegetarian animals. I have hunted bear, listened to wolves howling at night and woken up in the middle of the night to yell at the noise Randy was making outside the tent. Opened the tent and stuck my head next to a big hairy hoofed leg that did not belong to Randy. Closed the tent and went right back to sleep.

butthead

I've never spoken to fellow BWCA-trippers who have had a genuine fear of any BWCA-present animals. A fear of them stealing your food while you're sleeping or out in the canoe hunting for dinner? Sure. But I gotta believe only children have a fear of any animals that reside in the BWCA.

DRob1992: "I've never spoken to fellow BWCA-trippers who have had a genuine fear of any BWCA-present animals. A fear of them stealing your food while you're sleeping or out in the canoe hunting for dinner? Sure. But I gotta believe only children have a fear of any animals that reside in the BWCA. "

This wasn't articulated the best. What I mean to say is I've never met an adult who is familiar with the BWCA and has a fear of bear, wolf, or moose attacks on a human being. Not to say it's never happened or never will happen. But I gotta assume the chances are smaller than miniscule.

You can always find something on the internet to refute an argument or add to a discussion...

Moose destroys campsite

wolf attacks man in tent

I'm not going to lose sleep over this... but I'll keep the hachet handy while winter camping.

bobbernumber3: " wolf attacks man in tent


I'm not going to lose sleep over this... but I'll keep the hachet handy while winter camping."

Creepy, no doubt. I was fortunate enough to see one, lone wild wolf in my ten combined BWCA/Quetico trips. It was a big, black wolf and I locked eyes with it for a brief second. When it decided we were too close for comfort, it was gone so quick that it didn't even seem possible. It was like it just floated away with frightening speed, acceleration, grace, etc. That particular wolf vs me in a cage match would be an absolute joke. I guess my instincts, whether it's stupid or naive or whatever, tell me there's no need to fear an attack (unless I were to get sick or hurt to the point of near death). Now if we're talking areas outside of the BWCA, to me, that's another discussion.

I spoke to a guy who was unfamiliar with the BW. He herd I was going alone and his response "Man I can't believe you're not brining a Piece with you." I explained to him that the animals aren't out to get me and the humans that go there are of the peaceful nature. No need for a "piece" for me.

Blatz: "I spoke to a guy who was unfamiliar with the BW. He herd I was going alone and his response "Man I can't believe you're not brining a Piece with you." I explained to him that the animals aren't out to get me and the humans that go there are of the peaceful nature. No need for a "piece" for me. "

That's a good point, too. I've been and lived in many areas in the United States. The only place I've ever felt totally comfortable and not threatened in any way by other humans is the BWCA. People that I've encountered on my trips in the BWCA haven't always been out-of-their-way friendly, but you can just tell that they mean no harm. They are there for the same reasons as me. You pass an individual or a party and there is that unspoken bond between everyone that allows you to be one soul momentarily.

I sleep with one eye open for storms at night in my tent. I worry about falling trees and electrocution. Of course there is nothing I can do about it if a white pine smashes me.

Never worried about the critters.
Tom

tumblehome: "I sleep with one eye open for storms at night in my tent. I worry about falling trees and electrocution. Of course there is nothing I can do about it if a white pine smashes me.


Never worried about the critters.
Tom"

A strong wind tends to creep me out far more than anything else when camping. I don't have too many fears of nature (although I do respect nature and understand its power). I spend a great deal of time fishing on my trips and, luckily, have never had an accident. When I played ball at Murray State, we played Vanderbilt at home in a 3 game series. Their leadoff hitter absolutely crushed us to the tune of 12 hits, 11 runs, and 9 RBI in the 3 game series. This guy had to learn how to bat right-handed, rather than his natural left-handed stance, in middle school after a fishing lure took out his lead batting eye. No joke. Talk about a resilient, badass kid.

tumblehome: "I sleep with one eye open for storms at night in my tent. I worry about falling trees and electrocution. Of course there is nothing I can do about it if a white pine smashes me.


Never worried about the critters.
Tom"

Spot on

DRob1992: "...The only place I've ever felt totally comfortable and not threatened in any way by other humans is the BWCA..."

Wow. That's crazy.... and maybe worthy of some professional help?

bobbernumber3: "

DRob1992: "...The only place I've ever felt totally comfortable and not threatened in any way by other humans is the BWCA..."

Wow. That's crazy.... and maybe worthy of some professional help?"

Lol. No, I'm sane. Just have lived in some very rough areas throughout life. Honestly, I'm glad I've lived in the areas I've lived in and experienced the violence and crime first-hand. Not advocating violence at all. But when you're able to overcome it and make it out alive (and well), your perspective is different than folks with safe, dull lives who concern themselves with gossip and how their yards look. My appreciation for waking up every day and for all the great people that are out there (I like to believe there's far more good people than bad) is far higher than the average Joe's.

People tend to be most scared of animals with which they are less familiar. Black bears, moose and wolves don't worry me at night. I am watchful for animals when portaging as accidentally coming between a mom and baby or surprising a bull moose could result in an unpleasant encounter. But in my campsite, I am much less concerned.

However, animals outside my knowledge base do freak me out. Pulled into a campground in FL at night, set up the tent, and proceeded to lie awake all night certain that the rustling near the tent meant an alligator was coming to get me. Turned out it was just gray squirrels...LOL. But my imagination was running wild so I get why people who are unfamiliar with black bears, wolves, or moose might be nervous at night.

Now polar bear country...that is a whole 'nother story...worthwhile keeping one eye open and a "piece" at hand.

This one of the few instances where I see an upside to being almost fully deaf w/o my hearing devices. When I go in the tent the devices come off and the world is a quiet place - I am even unaware of thunderstorms.

I met a guy on a tow who was attacked by a bear in the BWCAW. He was 72 when we talked, I think he was in his early 50’s when the bear came into the camp. He and his son, made lots of noise, tried to look big and the bear charged them…they took off running in different directions. He dove into the water and swam about 200’. Felt guilty for leaving his son so stopped and turned around…the bear popped up right in front of him…latched to his head and left shoulder with it’s jaws…and proceeded to drag him to shore. His son charged out of the woods and broke a paddle over the bear’s head. While it was disoriented they got in their canoe and headed out on to Lac La Croix the bear followed for quite a distance before giving up. They hailed a powerboat down on the Canadian side and he was flown out to the Ely Hospital. He joked around…the bear is dead but I’m still coming to the BWCAW. That bear attacked 1-2 more people before the FS sharpshooter killed it. The BWJ has a good story on this. I might be remembering a few of the details he told me wrong too, it was in the early 2000’s we met. So it’s been like 15 years since he told me the story.

Never did find a good reason for the attacks. I believe Lynn Rogers did some research on the bear and basically came to the conclusion, just like some humans are prone to violence or are bad…this bear was similar.

All that being said…not sure I get the preface for the OP. This site has over 30,000 members I believe. Very few seem to be afraid of wildlife. Being prepared isn’t the same as being afraid either.

T

That's vicious. Glad they survived the attack.

I must confess that as I age I get more concerned and don't sleep as well, even when not in bwca.

We had something sniff all around our tent when camped on Vera. We were convinced it was a wolf since it sounded like a dog sniffing, not a bear sniffing,snuffling sound.

Granted vera is near ensign which is renowned for bear issues.
There was quite a bit of wolf poop around the vera site

The wind, or as we call it in Chicago "The Hawk" is what keeps me awake at night in the BW

A teacher from from the small town where I live died a while back when a tree fell on his tent in a storm. An outfitter told me a story where a wolf fallowed him while walking the grand portage. Iv had a bear in camp in the BWCA and had mama elk with calf’s walk past my hammock in banff a few times. Will these experiences keep one eye open at night? No they won’t cause I can’t sleep with one eye open I need both of them closed

DRob1992: "

timatkn: "

T"

That's vicious. Glad they survived the attack."

I give him credit he kept coming back. Statistically speaking I think the most dangerous thing we all do on a canoe trip is the drive up to the North country, then probably falls, drowning, lightning, or a tree falling…but after being attacked I am not sure I could go back.

He said it took them a few years to be able to relax again. He and his son brought a gun when they first started going back and that they were so concerned about where the gun was and gun safety that they forgot about the bear and found they were more worried about the gun :) At the time I met him they didn’t bring a gun and didn’t worry about bears anymore.

T

No place I ever felt so comfortable closing both eyes.

nctry: "No place I ever felt so comfortable closing both eyes."

You wouldn't say that, Ben, if you knew I was camped in a nearby site.

timatkn: "All that being said…not sure I get the preface for the OP. This site has over 30,000 members I believe. Very few seem to be afraid of wildlife. Being prepared isn’t the same as being afraid either.


T"

Well said.

Bo, there are documented and first-person accounts of attacks by all the animals you mentioned. I can see how it seems foolish to those who are assertive and strong and confident. People read accounts and close calls on the internet, magazines, and books. Creates fear. Some have limited firsthand experiences out in the woods.
If a bull moose in rut heads your way you are foolish not to climb a tree or flee. A starving adolescent bear boldly attacked a father & son out on a camping trip--while they were swimming near the shore. Excess hunger drives animals to be daring and bold. A lone wolf recently trailed a child returning from the pit toilet in BWCA until the child screamed invoking an adult in camp to run to the rescue.
Those are just three accounts that come to mind, at the moment.
Sadly, fear can overwhelm too. People project such intense fear that it's almost tangible. Regarding animals, and humans, I think a high fear level actually can invoke an attack. Predatory animals sense things. Like, fear & vulnerability.

mjmkjun: ". People project such intense fear that it's almost tangible. Regarding animals, and humans, I think a high fear level actually can invoke an attack. Predatory animals sense things. Like, fear & vulnerability.

"

As an example at my clinic we get a flock of turkeys that like to hang out by the door. When staff or patients that are timid or scared approach…the turkeys charge them and scare them off…when one of us that is not afraid or hunts just steps one foot out that door those turkeys can’t get out of there fast enough :) very perceptive on who to fear.

T

deerfoot: "This one of the few instances where I see an upside to being almost fully deaf w/o my hearing devices. When I go in the tent the devices come off and the world is a quiet place - I am even unaware of thunderstorms."

My husband has a cochlear. He also takes it off in the tent and is oblivious to all noises. Which means I sleep less because I then listen for everything.

4keys: "

deerfoot: "This one of the few instances where I see an upside to being almost fully deaf w/o my hearing devices. When I go in the tent the devices come off and the world is a quiet place - I am even unaware of thunderstorms."

My husband has a cochlear. He also takes it off in the tent and is oblivious to all noises. Which means I sleep less because I then listen for everything.
"

I have a cochlear implant on the right and a paired aid on the left. My wife sounds just like you, she’ll wake me up if something concerns her.

mjmkjun: "A lone wolf recently trailed a child returning from the pit toilet in BWCA until the child screamed invoking an adult in camp to run to the rescue."

Hey mjmkjun, any additional information on this one? As a parent who recently started taking young kids up there, this one hits a little closer to home than I would like to admit.

In general, I'm definitely not afraid of the critters. A healthy dose of respect for visiting their home goes a long way. That said, traveling with kids changes my mindset a bit. That comment of a wolf along the latrine trail makes me second-guess allowing my kids to independently play along the tiny trail that looped around the back of our campsite this past summer, or allowing them to go to the toilet alone. At 5 and 8, they are still little! One of my joys in taking the kids is watching them thrive in the unstructured wilderness. The trick is in allowing them enough freedom to experience that independence while keeping them close enough to protect against the major problems that could arise.

So....

We have an account of a wolf attack.
A moose attack.
A bear attack.

These three combined are still no match for being struck by lightning which is about 1 in 600,000

They are however, more likely than winning the power ball which is about 1 in 63,000,000

The odds of drowning in the BWCA are about 1 in 260,000. Wear your PFD

The odds of hurting yourself on a portage and needing rescue are about 1 in 88,000

The odds of catching dinner are about 1 in 1

The odds of a sulfide mine eventually polluting the BWCA are about 1 in 1 over time.

Animals are not your problem up there.

tumblehome: "So....


We have an account of a wolf attack.
A moose attack.
A bear attack.


These three combined are still no match for being struck by lightning which is about 1 in 600,000


They are however, more likely than winning the power ball which is about 1 in 63,000,000


The odds of drowning in the BWCA are about 1 in 260,000. Wear your PFD


The odds of hurting yourself on a portage and needing rescue are about 1 in 88,000


The odds of catching dinner are about 1 in 1


The odds of a sulfide mine eventually polluting the BWCA are about 1 in 1 over time.


Animals are not your problem up there.


I think your odds of catching dinner are a little high! For you they might be 1 to 1. But not do for the average person. I went up with people who couldn’t catch a fish of it jumped in the boat! And that really brings the odds down. Lol

tumblehome: "So....


We have an account of a wolf attack.
A moose attack.
A bear attack.


These three combined are still no match for being struck by lightning which is about 1 in 600,000


They are however, more likely than winning the power ball which is about 1 in 63,000,000


The odds of drowning in the BWCA are about 1 in 260,000. Wear your PFD


The odds of hurting yourself on a portage and needing rescue are about 1 in 88,000


The odds of catching dinner are about 1 in 1


The odds of a sulfide mine eventually polluting the BWCA are about 1 in 1 over time.


Animals are not your problem up there.


I think your odds of catching dinner are a little high! For you they might be 1 to 1. But not so for the average person. I have went up with people who couldn’t catch a fish if it jumped in the boat! And that really brings the odds down. Lol

Tony,

True. My odds for fish are a bit generous for the casual fisher person.
However, if you spend enough time in a canoe with a pole, a day, week, month. You should eventually catch something which mathematically puts your odds in your favor! :)

The realistic odds for me to catch fish are about the same as a moose attack. Not too high.

I have only had two encounters make me edgy in the BWCA, and both were a result of me encroaching on the animals' natural domain while on different solo trips.
1. I came upon the portage from Rose (I think) to Hustler and noticed a very fresh half devoured fish with what were clearly bear claw marks across it's body. I remember thinking, you better hustle, because his mid dinner smoke break isn't going to last very long. I hauled my butt across that portage and was planning to camp on Hustler, but then decided to push until dusk into the PMA and put as much distance as possible between myself and that bruin.

2. I was making my way up the Stewart River after a later than expected start, shooting for the seldom used campsite on White Feather lake. As I came around a corner I heard a large animal. As I proceeded cautiously I saw a cow moose and her youngster bedded down right next to the river about 30 yards ahead. What do do?! It was getting dark and I had to get by or turn around and camp in the car. I tried to make some noises to move her off but she just looked at me like I was stupid. The river was probably only 15 feet wide where she was. I decided to speak gently and try to ease on by... Well, she liked me less the closer I got. When I was about 20 feet from them she stood up and was clearly pissed off. This was my first moose sighting/encounter and she seemed much bigger than I had imagined she would be when she stood up. I slipped on by and almost shat myself while doing so. I kept thinking she was going to charge into the water and stomp the day lights out of me with her monster hooves, which btw, are not attractive; not sure who chose to mate with that beast.

Other than those two encounters, I sleep like a baby in the BWCA. If it's my time to go, it's my time to go. If I was risk adverse, I probably wouldn't go in the first place. If anything is going to keep me up at night it is tipping my canoe over in freezing cold water and dying a shivering death.

eagle98mn, I tried to find the source unsuccessfully. Ugh! It's either on this site or Facebook BWCA. Darn memory. I just read it last week, for goodness sake!
It was a dark lone wolf following a young child as she was returning to the campsite from the latrine. She turned around to look behind and saw the wolf--not giving chase but following. Then screamed--which brought the adult running. The wolf was gone but the time the adult reached her. I thought, "Oh man! what if this happened on one of those long latrine paths!"
I was surprised to read of it but not shocked. It's the reality of a wilderness area, after all. It is an odd & unusual occurrence. I don't have kids but if I did the little ones would be kept within sight 24/7. I know. It cramps their style and spontaneous energy.
I am a soloist and am up in age at 71 but I don't fret about animals in the woods. I don't like promoting fear of animals either but some accounts have to be shared so people are cautious; not to incite fearfulness. I have always slept soundly in the BWCA--tent or hanging. The only thing that has ever bothered me is a mosquito or two that snuck in the tent. They have to be snuffed out before I can sleep. whinny little annoyances! meh
EDIT: Ah! Found it. scroll to RedLakePaddler's comment. HERE

bumabu, your moose encounter is funny stuff! You are bold.

deerfoot: "

4keys: "

deerfoot: "This one of the few instances where I see an upside to being almost fully deaf w/o my hearing devices. When I go in the tent the devices come off and the world is a quiet place - I am even unaware of thunderstorms."

My husband has a cochlear. He also takes it off in the tent and is oblivious to all noises. Which means I sleep less because I then listen for everything.
"

I have a cochlear implant on the right and a paired aid on the left. My wife sounds just like you, she’ll wake me up if something concerns her."

Haha! So that's why you guys bring us along. I figure by the time I wake him up, he finds his processor, & puts it on, a bear could be long gone with our food so I might as well deal with any problems myself!

4keys: "

deerfoot: "

4keys: "

deerfoot: "This one of the few instances where I see an upside to being almost fully deaf w/o my hearing devices. When I go in the tent the devices come off and the world is a quiet place - I am even unaware of thunderstorms."

My husband has a cochlear. He also takes it off in the tent and is oblivious to all noises. Which means I sleep less because I then listen for everything.
"

I have a cochlear implant on the right and a paired aid on the left. My wife sounds just like you, she’ll wake me up if something concerns her."

Haha! So that's why you guys bring us along. I figure by the time I wake him up, he finds his processor, & puts it on, a bear could be long gone with our food so I might as well deal with any problems myself! "

And that is assuming he doesn’t just pretend to stay asleep so you deal with it anyway.

Bear, wolves, and moose all have the capacity to be very dangerous. Wolves especially - as a species - can be incredibly dangerous to humans if they learn to see us as prey. We are fortunate to live in a time and place where wolves fear humans, and they do not pose a real threat to us as we explore their environment (although I have read accounts of wolves deep in the wilderness out west that are not so courteous).

I like to remember that these animals can be dangerous. It doesn't keep me awake at night, but it does keep me respectful of them. It adds to the experience of seeing them and exploring the wilderness they call home. I wouldn't want a tame wilderness.

Should you take precautions against them? Of course. Hang your food, don't get into their space to take pictures, keep young children and dogs close, and don't count on statistics to keep you safe. If a firearm is a tool you are competent with, bring one if you want it. I do. But solely relying on a firearm (hatchet, knife, spray) to keep you safe from an animal is like relying on your seatbelt to make up for reckless driving. Surviving a crash is great, but it would be better to avoid an accident altogether. So learn about the animals that live where you venture. Know how to avoid conflicts with them. You'll fear them less and respect them more.

Anyways...sorry for the ramble.

97% of the mammal biomass is humans and cows. Treasure the other 3%.

mjmkjun: "EDIT: Ah! Found it. scroll to RedLakePaddler's comment. HERE "

Thanks for the link!

I'm definitely not losing sleep over these animals. It just makes sense to continually listen to others' experiences to be best prepared in the future. My kids were in sight the vast majority of the time. This just reinforces to remain vigilant even in my relaxation. :)

I was "hunted" by a bull moose a fall trip. I was guiding four other people of various skills during September. We were on the portage between North and South Temperance and it chased us to the end of the portage and up the shoreline toward Brule. It was much too close for comfort at times, I'm talking within 20 ft at times. Big mean SOB.

Blondie1: "I was "hunted" by a bull moose a fall trip. I was guiding four other people of various skills during September. We were on the portage between North and South Temperance and it chased us to the end of the portage and up the shoreline toward Brule. It was much too close for comfort at times, I'm talking within 20 ft at times. Big mean SOB."

What is the most likely cause of that bull moose's behavior? I have a few ideas but would like to hear your thoughts.

Rut and poor eye sight.

Keep an eye out for widow makers.
Put my canoe well into the woods at night and tie it off.
Keep a clean camp.
Keep my food secure.
Have a waterproof tent.
Slide onto my Exped.
Breathe deep for ten seconds.
Realize how lucky I am to be there.
Sound asleep within seconds.
No eyes open!

GraniteCliffs: "Keep an eye out for widow makers.
Put my canoe well into the woods at night and tie it off.
Keep a clean camp.
Keep my food secure.
Have a waterproof tent.
Slide onto my Exped.
Breathe deep for ten seconds.
Realize how lucky I am to be there.
Sound asleep within seconds.
No eyes open!


"

Yeah--this is the way!

TZ

bumabu: "I have only had two encounters make me edgy in the BWCA, and both were a result of me encroaching on the animals' natural domain while on different solo trips.
1. I came upon the portage from Rose (I think) to Hustler and noticed a very fresh half devoured fish with what were clearly bear claw marks across it's body. I remember thinking, you better hustle, because his mid dinner smoke break isn't going to last very long. I hauled my butt across that portage and was planning to camp on Hustler, but then decided to push until dusk into the PMA and put as much distance as possible between myself and that bruin.


2. I was making my way up the Stewart River after a later than expected start, shooting for the seldom used campsite on White Feather lake. As I came around a corner I heard a large animal. As I proceeded cautiously I saw a cow moose and her youngster bedded down right next to the river about 30 yards ahead. What do do?! It was getting dark and I had to get by or turn around and camp in the car. I tried to make some noises to move her off but she just looked at me like I was stupid. The river was probably only 15 feet wide where she was. I decided to speak gently and try to ease on by... Well, she liked me less the closer I got. When I was about 20 feet from them she stood up and was clearly pissed off. This was my first moose sighting/encounter and she seemed much bigger than I had imagined she would be when she stood up. I slipped on by and almost shat myself while doing so. I kept thinking she was going to charge into the water and stomp the day lights out of me with her monster hooves, which btw, are not attractive; not sure who chose to mate with that beast.


Other than those two encounters, I sleep like a baby in the BWCA. If it's my time to go, it's my time to go. If I was risk adverse, I probably wouldn't go in the first place. If anything is going to keep me up at night it is tipping my canoe over in freezing cold water and dying a shivering death. "

I met a guy once on the portage into Iron from that direction. Told me the same story...

missmolly: "

nctry: "No place I ever felt so comfortable closing both eyes."

You wouldn't say that, Ben, if you knew I was camped in a nearby site."

Thanks... now I sleep with my eyes open! Haha! Wait a minute... who’s the cannibal here? I know what frenchy19 would say.

Blondie1: "I was "hunted" by a bull moose a fall trip. I was guiding four other people of various skills during September. We were on the portage between North and South Temperance and it chased us to the end of the portage and up the shoreline toward Brule. It was much too close for comfort at times, I'm talking within 20 ft at times. Big mean SOB."

That 618-foot portage must have stretched into 'mighty long' with the potential threat for injury. Clearly, you all had your wits together. I'm curious how you managed a testosterone-crazed moose who targeted y'all. Is there/will there be a trip report with the strategy of what you/ group did to evade Mr. Moose? Mostly sheer dumb luck?

mjmkjun: "

Blondie1: "I was "hunted" by a bull moose a fall trip. I was guiding four other people of various skills during September. We were on the portage between North and South Temperance and it chased us to the end of the portage and up the shoreline toward Brule. It was much too close for comfort at times, I'm talking within 20 ft at times. Big mean SOB."

That 618-foot portage must have stretched into 'mighty long' with the potential threat for injury. Clearly, you all had your wits together. I'm curious how you managed a testosterone-crazed moose who targeted y'all. Is there/will there be a trip report with the strategy of what you/ group did to evade Mr. Moose? Mostly sheer dumb luck?"

Mostly dumb luck. This was 30+ years ago. I was a guiding for Gunflint so I had to keep the other folks close otherwise I would have up a tree in no time. Another problem was I had the packs with me and the canoes were on the other end of the portage with a mad moose in the middle

At the end of the portage it veered one way and we went the other. It tore up the ground and trees for about 15 minutes and then started our way. Basically it went on like this for an hour. We'd move further down shore and it would stop and raise holy hell for a bit and then continue on towards us. My plan was to eventually swing around it but I wasn't too keen on bushwacking with the group. It didn't have to come to that, he eventually lost interest in us and moved on.

eagle98mn: " That said, traveling with kids changes my mindset a bit. That comment of a wolf along the latrine trail makes me second-guess allowing my kids to independently play along the tiny trail that looped around the back of our campsite this past summer, or allowing them to go to the toilet alone."

I totally agree. Bears (part time) and wolves being carnivores might hunt anything that looks small to them, from ants up to moose calves. It's straight dangerous letting unattended kids wander in the woods or along trails.

Way more reasons to keep one eye open while at home. In my tent...in the BWCA - I sleep very soundly...finding the animal sounds comforting. Hard to explain this, but there it is.

I'm not a cannibal, Ben. I'm something far, far worse; I would collapse your tent.

EddyTurn: "

eagle98mn: " That said, traveling with kids changes my mindset a bit. That comment of a wolf along the latrine trail makes me second-guess allowing my kids to independently play along the tiny trail that looped around the back of our campsite this past summer, or allowing them to go to the toilet alone."

I totally agree. Bears (part time) and wolves being carnivores might hunt anything that looks small to them, from ants up to moose calves. It's straight dangerous letting unattended kids wander in the woods or along trails."

I read a cool article a year or two back about the diet of wolves. Needless to say, this article taught me a lot (of which most has slipped my memory). The article described how wolves will catch and eat fish, ambush beavers, and eat much more small game than most people would guess. There was also evidence of far less frequent big game hunting and eating by wolves than what we believe. I'll try to find the link. It may have even been posted to bwca.com. Anyways, it is worth the read if I can find it and post it.

In 1967, Glacier NP had 28 lightning fires caused by one storm. The first fire crews were briefed that they were not to be concerned about bear encounters for the park had never had anyone ever killed by a bear. On August 13, 1967, two young women were killed by two different bears on the same night. After the attack, we were then given a very different briefing. The bear experts had no idea of what had taken place so that there was a great deal of speculation as to why this had happened. Unfortunately, much of what they said got into print and is still excepted as being true. Believe whatever you want but doublecheck where it came from.

missmolly: "I'm not a cannibal, Ben. I'm something far, far worse; I would collapse your tent."

Noooooooo! Not my tent!!!!

smoke: "In 1967, Glacier NP had 28 lightning fires caused by one storm. The first fire crews were briefed that they were not to be concerned about bear encounters for the park had never had anyone ever killed by a bear. On August 13, 1967, two young women were killed by two different bears on the same night. After the attack, we were then given a very different briefing. The bear experts had no idea of what had taken place so that there was a great deal of speculation as to why this had happened. Unfortunately, much of what they said got into print and is still excepted as being true. Believe whatever you want but doublecheck where it came from."

The Night of the Grizzlies is still a tough read for me, especially when I'm camping amongst them. One of the girls was from MN.

Night of the Grizzlies

nctry: "

bumabu: "I have only had two encounters make me edgy in the BWCA, and both were a result of me encroaching on the animals' natural domain while on different solo trips.
1. I came upon the portage from Rose (I think) to Hustler and noticed a very fresh half devoured fish with what were clearly bear claw marks across it's body. I remember thinking, you better hustle, because his mid dinner smoke break isn't going to last very long. I hauled my butt across that portage and was planning to camp on Hustler, but then decided to push until dusk into the PMA and put as much distance as possible between myself and that bruin.



2. I was making my way up the Stewart River after a later than expected start, shooting for the seldom used campsite on White Feather lake. As I came around a corner I heard a large animal. As I proceeded cautiously I saw a cow moose and her youngster bedded down right next to the river about 30 yards ahead. What do do?! It was getting dark and I had to get by or turn around and camp in the car. I tried to make some noises to move her off but she just looked at me like I was stupid. The river was probably only 15 feet wide where she was. I decided to speak gently and try to ease on by... Well, she liked me less the closer I got. When I was about 20 feet from them she stood up and was clearly pissed off. This was my first moose sighting/encounter and she seemed much bigger than I had imagined she would be when she stood up. I slipped on by and almost shat myself while doing so. I kept thinking she was going to charge into the water and stomp the day lights out of me with her monster hooves, which btw, are not attractive; not sure who chose to mate with that beast.



Other than those two encounters, I sleep like a baby in the BWCA. If it's my time to go, it's my time to go. If I was risk adverse, I probably wouldn't go in the first place. If anything is going to keep me up at night it is tipping my canoe over in freezing cold water and dying a shivering death. "

I met a guy once on the portage into Iron from that direction. Told me the same story..."

I need to get around to completing that trip report Ben, still my favorite trip for so many reasons.

Mocha: "I must confess that as I age I get more concerned and don't sleep as well, even when not in bwca.
"

Over-the-counter Melatonin in 5 or 10 milligrams. Effective. You should allow for 6 to 7 hrs duration of sleep time otherwise there's a very slight hangover if sleep is less than 6 to 7 hrs. Strong Coffee clears 'hangover' pretty quick.

Having unrealistic fears about anything is not good.

Not recognizing the danger something poses is not good.

Both can cause one to take improper actions.

Wow, I would have pulled out the bandana and sharpie and started requesting autographs! Sorry I missed you guys. Have a safe and wonderful time, Steve!
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