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First year I went solo, I did a trial, first time run into Algonquin park. After putting in at the south entrance, I soon realized that to get anywhere the solitude I was used too in the Q, I had to get at least a couple of nights from the day/overnight paddlers.

I busted butt and wound up having to stay at a designated spot that I would of never stayed if I had a choice. It was raining hard, getting dark, so I set up camp fast and built a small but cozy fire under my tarp.

The site was in a low lying area, near a swamp section of lake. While using the facilities, I saw fresh bear sign. I hang my pack and keep a clean camp, so after a nightcap, I called it a day.

I was wearing a head/swear band and had hung it on the tents fly pole when  I first got into camp. I woke to a noise outside of tent.
It was the sound of something big moving fast, and the death squeal of something being caught and devoured

The moon was up, and as I lay there listening, I could see the shape of a bear outside the tent. I could hear that deep guttural breathing they make, and in that moment I knew it was close and curious.

Earlier in the trip I had lost my bear spray when I walked my canoe up a creek in knee deep water. I stepped in a hole and nearly fell down. The spray was in a waist belt holster and somehow it came out. I never knew it until much later in the day.

So I debated what to do ? I had my survival knife and a tin cup in tent. I thought about going outside and scaring the bear off, but then decided that with clean camp and fresh kill, the bear was just being curious.

After a few anxious moments, my fear subsided and I fell into a deep but restless sleep. First light, I was up and  while taking down the tent, I saw huge fore-paw prints right outside my tent door! It appeared the bear had been sniffing my headband. Apparently my scent had put it off Must of been a "she"   I headed for the portage out of lake which was only a few hundred yards away.

At the portage I met two young Canadian guys, who were coming into the lake. They asked if I had seen the big bear on the portage landing?
They were both hunters and said it was one of the largest bears they had ever seen. I told them my story and we had a good laugh.

I bought a bigger bear spray and carry it in a modified case that can't come open accidentally.

I don't let the fear of a bear encounter deter me, but I make sure that  I have a little extra something to even the odds somewhat.

IF I was in the BW or where they allowed firearms, I'd carry one for sure. Self defense/survival tool, signaling device, it is a multi-purpose tool that has proved it worth since man entered the wilderness.

Sounds fun to me. Part of the excitement would be the anticipation.....wondering if anything is coming in or not.

Thanks for sharing.

Preacher wrote on Sep 27^th, 2010 at 8:47pm:


The outfitter I use has a map showing problem bears sightings each year for the past several decades.  Problem bear incidents have decrease significantly over the years due to educating campers on how avoid bear problems.  This includes keeping a clean campsite and proper disposal of food scraps.

starwatcher

I agree. And I miss Bernie. Give her a hug for me.

CanoeFly