Sure is quiet here.   Maybe someone has a trip report they can tide us over with until OS starts reminding us that Copia is coming up?  Something. Anything.   

MB

MossBack wrote on Oct 8^th, 2019 at 11:31am:


  I was thinking the SAME thing MB 

Typically I have only attended Copia for one night, but  throughout this year I lobbied and won a full 2 day kitchen pass so I can enjoy more of the QJ event and people.  I also want to congratulate Magic in person as another member on my short list of hero's.  Please don't ask me what I had to give up in barter and trade to get the second day.

Regards,

MossBack

"Something. Anything."

its not Quetico, but it does have some portages

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After two weeks out west and a week up at the land I flew out to San Diego today to dog sit for a week.   73 and sunny today, tomorrow, the next day, the next day.....you get it.  I never envisioned being so busy in retirement.

I was online the last couple of days researching next years adventures.  Never to early to plan!

When do the QJ group singing lessons start Wayne? 

Later........

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?

Forgot one.   Campfire; run like hell before the cops come!

mpeebles wrote on Oct 10^th, 2019 at 6:30pm:


Since we are a virtual community, it would stand to reason that we would have a virtual campfire.

db wrote on Oct 10^th, 2019 at 7:54pm:



Ya, that's what I meant 

Mad_Mat wrote on Oct 10^th, 2019 at 9:08pm:


I'd rather have a shotgun and NOT need it than NOT have one and REALLY wish you had it!

I don't know if they had more than ONE can of Bear Spray but they only hold a few bursts in them. That bear was detoured for a bit but not like you would think he would be.

As the spray runs out if they keep coming they learn that it's not fatal, only uncomfortable. No different than a drugged-up thug attacking you and being sprayed with civilian pepper spray. 

You've seen police videos, they'll walk right thru it.
I'd spray a bear ONE time good and if it came back it would be 12 gauge slug time for Yogi.

Magicpaddler wrote on Oct 11^th, 2019 at 1:33pm:


  I've seen the same thing. Those deer are running on adrenaline/nerves, like a chicken with its head cut off.

  Big Game guides that take clients after dangerous game often carry a rifle that is way more powerful than the one the client is able to shoot accurately.

The reason is they need that KNOCKDOWN power, which literally knocks the animal to the ground. Killing something isn't the same as stopping it at close range. The Inuit people are known to hunt/kill Polar bears with calibers considered suitable for varmints. Stalk close and shoot them in the head.

Since the game laws say you can't kill a bear unless it's right upon you, more than likely your going to go for a headshot. The right ammo to pierce that thick skull will drop them like a rock.

Of course under stress that isn't an easy thing to do.

  If it were me, I'd have both Bear Spray and a shotgun. IF possible I would hit them with the Bear Spray and follow that up with a NON-LETHAL load from the shotgun.

They make hard rubber 00 Buckshot/Slugs that hurt like hell but do no long term damage. You want that bear to FEAR humans and leave the area.

That couple in M_M story kept the bear off them but it destroyed their canoe and left them stranded. That extra hurt from non-lethal rounds would have probably driven it far off. Bears are smart. Once they relate humans to pain, they'll steer clear. Good for the humans, better for the bear as nuisance bears get killed by the game wardens.

I've missed Q for a couple years now. We've been doing some arctic trips though. But one of the best trips I done was last summer hiking the John Muir Trail. It's just beautiful and enough of a challenge to feel like a feat. Kind of a shorter version of a bigger thru hike, but 3 weeks instead of 3 months.
I thinking it's time to return to Q next year.

Speaking of doldrums.  I'm out in San Diego for a while dog sitting for the kids so I have some time on my hands.  On the plus side I'm getting in some nice hiking up and down the hills AND we managed to catch a lobster, my first ever!  Ahem....forgot to mention the weather.

I took Opasquia off of this years list as I have one or two folks going along who have never done this type of tripping and I thought it might be a bit much.  Still trying to decide between another trip into WCPP or head into Atikaki.  The WCPP trip would be Burntwood/Dutch R/Thicketwood/Sabourin R/Little Bigshell/Bigshell.  This year we went from Bigshell to Young.

I have no clue yet as to where I'd go in Atikaki but have contacted Blue Water Aviation in Bisset, MB and got some info from them.  Also in contact with Manitoba Parks for info.  I'll try to hook up with Martin sometime this winter and talk about Atikaki as well.  Hopefully will see ya'll at Copia and we'll be talking there as well.

Anyway, something to do till I get back home and head up to the land to do some hunting.  Somehow, I agreed to babysit for two days next week but I might have to subcontract that out.  Some folks like winter/fall/summer/spring.  I like the rut.

Later.......

You left out some of the colorful characters who comprise QJ. 

The Angry Trout serves up some awesome whitefish, lake trout, herring, and smelt depending on the season.
When local fish are not available, they serve fresh Alaskan sockeye salmon. You can’t make a bad choice.

Don’t overlook the Dockside Market next door. They have smoked salmon and all of the Lake Superior fish. For a “to go” lunch, you cannot beat their fish wraps.

Retirement is just a matter of finding another way to live...

The Angry Trout has excellent fare!  Worth a stop for sure.  Stop at the Dockside Fish Market and pick up some Walleye Dust for your spice kit - a great compliment to those Quetico marble eyes, fried, baked or grilled!

pd

Twas me on the sheep question.  Congratulations !

Quote:



   They have them already. They're called VEGANS and they have their own little DINNER bells on their shoes. 

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Possums are a favorite of mine.  When I was a teenager I was a typical "kill every wild animal you can" kind of douchebag.  Me and my friends had pellet guns and would inflict unnecessary terrorism on the bird, rabbit and squirrel population.  Well one night on a sleepover in a tent we walked the neighborhoods after curfue dodging cop cars only to find a possum crossing the street.  So we grabbed sticks and beat it to death.

That was a turning point for me.  It wasn't long after that I sold my pellet gun and gravitated myself away from those "friends".  My love for all creatures now is to the point where I'm letting spiders roam free in the house or putting them outside.  Yes, people CAN change their ways.

No possums or any other living creature was harmed in the telling of this "Tongue In Cheek" tale.    Well, OK, maybe the ex's cooking ability might have taken a small hit.

I have possums on my front porch every night cleaning up what the lazy overfed cats leave behind.  I watched one get bigger and bigger, until one night I saw the new brood all hanging on her back.

Grit  magazine just ran a story about how possums may be a benefit to the spreading Lyme disease problem.  Apparently much of their regular diet consists of ticks.

Regards,

MB

MB. I caught the bologna gravy post and thought it was funny
I always joke that my wife cooks just like my mom did but my mom didn't poop in it. 

Like some others I needlessly killed some critters when I was a kid.  I think that may have lead to my deep respect for all living things that I now enjoy.

SP2.  I caught that neat water effect on the pic as well. 

Later......