Mad_Mat,

I just finished your excellent trip solo trip report.
You ARE the man, I've never read at least on the QJ about a more harrowing/tough trip.

I'm glad you made it safe and sound. After a trip like that, a Q trip must feel like a vacation.

I know on one of your other river trips you brought a shotgun for bear protection? I didn't see it mentioned so I'm assuming you didn't this time? How about some Bear Spray?

I kept waiting to read about a bear encounter but I guess you didn't need that at least close up. 

ST,

I didn't have time to check on the regs for flying commercial with a shotgun, so didn't bring one.  I did have a can of bear spray.  Only saw one bear track, maybe they were all up higher to get away from the mosquitos.

M_M.  That's funny.  I can picture the guy thrashing around on the ground! 

My wife and I can relate to this as we were accidentally sprayed by a person demonstrating to us HOW to use the spray!  It knocked my wife to her knees as she got the direct hit in the chest (actually a ricochet off of a counter) and we both had trouble breathing for a while.  It also cleared out the other folks and staff that were in the small lodge.  It's some wicked stuff.  I knew the nice lady didn't know what she was doing when she popped the safety cap off and had it pointing at us (think gun here) but by then it was too late    We did see a huge radio collared grizzly on that trip at about 60 yds.  The size of that bear was unbelievable. Luckily it just walked off.   This took place in the Absoraka Mtns. outside of Yellowstone some years ago while trout fishing.  I've oft wondered if I'd even have the presence of mind to stay calm enough to use it effectively in a close encounter with a grizzly.  I do know that I wouldn't smell very good at that point.  I wonder how sh_t and bear spray pair together for flavor ?   I'm thinking the poor bear would have a hard time getting THAT taste out of its mouth for a while 

I had a black bear within a couple of feet of me while turkey hunting in WI but they're relatively harmless.  I was in a blind with shotgun in lap when it looked in the side window.  The very first thought that went through my mind was that my shotgun was pointed in the wrong direction. My second thought was that the bear had a "worried" look on his (thinking it was a large boar) face.  I bet that the bear thought the same thing of me. I didn't move a muscle and we stared at each other for perhaps 3-4 seconds before it walked off.  I do admit however that it was a bit unnerving to have a  bear in that tight 

Anyway, glad you had a safe trip!  Did you mention if you had any luck with sheep? 

Later..........Mike

Quote:


  I have a buddy who bow hunts. He was on his property in Northern MI in a tree stand about 30' high.

Hasn't seen any deer and he's getting hungry. Takes out some homemade venison jerky to eat.
Hears a clawing sound and looks down to see a big old black bear coming up the tree! 

He freaked out and thought he might have to shoot the bear in self-defense. He had a LEGAL pistol with him too.

Then he realizes the bear just wanted the jerky. He drops the jerky bag right on the bear's head. Yogi grabbed the bag went down the tree and disappeared in the woods.

My buddy was so freaked out he waited in treestand till his hunting partner came looking for him. 

Never told his wife or else he would never hear the end of it. 

I'm sure he needed to get some clean drawers when he got back to the cabin. 

Mike & Wayne,

Maybe you can organize a QJ campfire sing in the QJ room at Copia next year?