Talk to the ranger when you check in. They know of the sites that are frequented by visiting bears. They'll have some tips to avoid them -- certainly one will be to keep a clean camp. Another will be to avoid certain locations. If you do have a bear problem (or any other problem for that matter), the rangers will appreciate a visit on your way out too, to keep them up-to-date. Generally, bears in Quetico are a nuisance in the spring (after hibernating and before the berry crop). Still, it seems to me, Quetico has FAR fewer bear problems than the BWCA.

As far as fire wood, island or not, I set up camp then take the empty canoe for a short paddle, land the canoe, walk in 15 yards, and pick up enough wood to fill the canoe. Usually paddling 200 rods is far enough away from camp. People generally will not walk that far looking for wood.

Posted by Ken E. Brown on December 23, 1999 at 11:56