Boundary Waters Quetico Forum :: Listening Point - General Discussion :: What would you be more frightened of?
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Heyfritty |
I did have an interesting encounter with a wolf a few years ago. I was exploring our deer hunting territory after the season(probably December). As I walked down the west side of a ridge I saw a large wolf-kill site about 15 yards away. Blood saturated the snow over an area maybe 10’x20’. There were also smaller patches where the wolves had dragged the deer’s body parts. As I digested what I was seeing, 30 yards from me, a black wolf was slinking away. The wolf was clearly trying to sneak away without being seen. The whole event lasted maybe 20 seconds. The kill area in relation to my location was at about 2 o’clock and I saw the wolf at about 11 o’clock. Afterwards, I could see that the site was at least 24 hours old. Most of the bones had been stripped pretty clean. It certainly got my heart pumping. I wasn’t carrying a gun, but I did pull out my pocket knife despite my rational understanding that I was not in danger. Where we hunt, there is a lot of wolf sign and we frequently hear them howling, but over 22 years in our current spot, it was only the 2nd time one of us had spotted a wolf(we hunt for over 80 man-days each year). And I believe that is because they want it that way. In my 45 years of deer hunting I have also come across 2 other recent kills. This encounter will always be one of my most favorite experiences in nature. They are such elegant creatures. Fritty |
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jwartman59 |
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carbon1 |
I have seen bears and wolves in the last month. I have pictures on my game cams of 6 different bears within a half of mile of my house. Some has close as a 100 yards. I have pictures of a pack of wolves on the same game cam 100 yards from the house. Both can do you bodily harm if they desire to. I have had both within 25 feet of me on several occasions. I respect both of them. But would not be to concerned about shooting either if they threatened me. Yes I am armed anytime I am outside. |
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Banksiana |
I have been very close to both. I respect both. I spend large amounts of time alone in the woods. I don't fear either and never feel the need to be armed. |
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mjmkjun |
Near starving lone wolf or lone black bear.......either. They get bolder and more desperate in this scenario. Pack of wolves......Absolutely! find a tree to climb. bring w/ water & a snack. your wait time may be extended. |
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Frenchy19 |
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fadersup |
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JimmyJustice |
If you encountered it in camp, what would you be more frightened of...a Black Bear or Wolf? Happy Halloween. JJ |
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MidwestMan |
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merlyn |
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andym |
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MidwestMan |
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Savage Voyageur |
Black bears don’t want anything to do with you. They only want your food. |
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Minnesotian |
Probably the bear, as I assume it was looking or smelling my food and I would have to chase it off but it would probably keep coming back so that would mean eventually I would have to pack up all my stuff and leave the campsite completely. |
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Pinetree |
been around black bears almost every day and wolves close by. Zero problems. Neighbors dog-yes a problem. |
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LindenTree |
The next morning that bear decided to be a problem in the next campground, luckily it was not dispatched. We took Black bears very seriously in AK. Two people killed by black bears in Ak in two days. |
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timatkn |
Pinetree: "neither, but if you throw in mountain lions, I would be afraid. You never know what cats are thinking. My sentiments too T |
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timatkn |
In that case it really depends on how they are behaving, but if I have to make a decision I'd say Bear based on size and history in the lower 48. T |
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Scout64 |
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Duckman |
If it is a “we’re gonna fight” situation, I don’t know. I’m probably going to get killed either way, but I’m leaning towards the wolf and hoping I outweigh it. |
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chessie |
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arctic |
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JimmyJustice |
fadersup: "Yup. I see what you did there. :) |
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JimmyJustice |
timatkn: "I misread the original question...although neither are too scary I didn't fully read the part the animal is right in front of you in that moment of time. Yup, while sitting there in camp, tending to your lake trout on the fire...and one of those creatures came to check on you...which one would cause the most fright. |
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RT |
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Basspro69 |
Not worried about black bears . |
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nctry |
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missmolly |
However, the two scariest mammals are grizzly bears and bad men. |
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x2jmorris |
1. Cougar: I don't need a cat potentially hunting me. 2. Moose: bc I think it is rutting season and I am already nervous when they get close I don't like the thought of them being aggressive. And I see them on almost every trip and I know they are in the area I am going. 3. Wolf: I don't know... I hear them a lot but rarely have I seen them. If I saw one in camp it would make me much more uneasy than a bear. 4. Bear: Because I know the reason is my food or at least 99 percent chance its food. And they seem to run off when yelled at. |
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andym |
However, to put it in the original question I would be really afraid if one came into camp. They are amazingly shy animals. So one coming into a camp would signal something is wrong. |
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Canoearoo |
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Sparkeh |
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ockycamper |
That said, wolves travel in packs. I have never experienced two adult bears together. So I would far more concerned about wolves then bears. |
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ockycamper |
We go over: gather together and make noise throw things at the bear (if a bear) if the bear won't leave, each camp has bear spray If the bear is still a nuisance, we leave and choose a different camp site. We have never had a bear in camp. However we have had a moose in camp almost every year. We just get out of the way and it wanders on its way. I have emphasized that shooting an animal of any type in the BWCA will result in a very unpleasant conversation with the forest service. So pulling a firearm and firing is only last resort and in the occasion of an actual attack. Finally, every individual that has a firearm on our teams is an experience hunter as well. |
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gravelroad |
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MidwestMan |
ockycamper: "As to being frightened. . . .our camps are always armed with weapons that would have no problem handling either. The are also all trained in their use. As such, I don't believe our men would be frightened by either. Have you or your men ever had to draw and/or use a firearm on any of your explorations? Just curious. Not trying to stir the pot. |
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woodsandwater |
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