I just got back from an amazing trip (report to be completed in a few days) but I wanted to relate a bear situation/possible problem on near Robbins Island on the South West side of Knife Lake.

This info was related to me by two other paddlers who were staying at a site near the old "Root Beer Lady" cabin site. They had what they concidered the "largest black bear they have ever seen" walk into camp, mess around with their gear then just sit down for a while and wait. The bear was within 20 feet of them. They had their food in a box (which the bear ignored) because he was more interested in the packs; green colored packs in particular.

Nothing these guys said they did scared the bear off. They apprently yelled, banged pots, et al, but nothing worked. The bear eventually walked off down the toilet path. The guys decided to take off, paddle a few miles to a different site to stay.

Just passing along the info for anyone who might be staying in that area in the near future. This all happened this previous Friday (03 Sept).

Where is Maddog?

He could go in and stick one of these bears at problem sites. He's been trying to do that for some time.

Thanks for the info.

Why is it everyone that has a bear encounter says it is "The biggest bear they have ever seen?" and never just an average or small bear?

T

quote timatkn: "Thanks for the info.


Why is it everyone that has a bear encounter says it is "The biggest bear they have ever seen?" and never just an average or small bear?


T"

good one! remember the bear attacks in the bwca in the late 70's?
every one who encountered it said the same. turned out the dnr shot a bear just over a hundred pounds and claimed it was the right bear.
some said it was a few hundred pounds, some said they shot the wrong bear. but still the attacks stopped.

maybe it's also the ONLY black bear they have ever seen ;-)

Thanks for the info.

timatkn - Probably for the same reason people only miss 8 or 10 point bucks during hunting season ! Ever hear a story that someone missed a 3 pointer ?

quote izzy: "timatkn - Probably for the same reason people only miss 8 or 10 point bucks during hunting season ! Ever hear a story that someone missed a 3 pointer ?"

I'll tell you about my missed 3 pointer at Wingnite!

butthead

Seems the bears love to go camping in the BWCA this year....

I am not to afraid of bears in general but, one that is intent (as was relayed to me) in Green colored bags tells me that it knows what it is looking for.

What a stupid bear. I guess blue barrels are safe from him! lol

on knife? ...damnit. :/

A bear in camp automatically doubles in size. One that won't leave adds about 20 pounds per minute.

quote oldgentleman: "A bear in camp automatically doubles in size. One that won't leave adds about 20 pounds per minute."

I am quite sure that is true :-)

kanoes, that's the first thing I thought of when I read knife... was you. good luck buddy.

PS kanoes - wanna borrow my pepper spray? I think bears that sit down and stare at you in your campsite need a little encouragement to find their own dang food in a rotting log or something...

K, when is the trip? Perhaps the bear will den by then. The bear center people said it looks like bears are leaning toward early denning this year....

Don't worry...you've got that charge-the-bear thing down pat. LOL. And the EC will be safe inside your barrel this time, right? ;-)