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Post by qp on Mar 24, 2005 23:06:48 GMT -5
I was wondering of those that are reading here of your back country animal encounters. Any close calls with a bear or moose. For me back several years ago I had and encounter with a moose. As I portage the canoe and looking at my steps I came to a suddent halt with a loud thud. What lead to about 2 min of a stareing (it seemed eye to eye) with the big guy slowly strolling off. I sure was glad it wasn't rut season. Any one here had a close hand shake with a bear or moose. I've heard of one here on the qp that has well see if he still remember his story. qp
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Post by VoyageurNorth on Mar 25, 2005 0:48:03 GMT -5
No encounters in the woods, but about 3-4 with a bear in my garage in the spring! My fault, I left the garage door open (the other door leads to my kitchen) and some garbage in the garage. Luckily, a bit of yelling and a 39 pound barking dog always works!
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Post by bogwlkr on Mar 25, 2005 8:53:48 GMT -5
Same here Lynn,
While at my father-in-law's house in Embarrass I heard a noise on the porch. When I got to the porch I saw a big black bear trying his best to get at the dog food. He had ripped through the screen door and truing to use his big paws to get dog food from the container. Some yelling and my father-in-law coming over to shoot a 30-06 round over his head got his attention and he left.
That was as close as I hope I ever come to a bear.
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Post by intrepidcamper on Mar 25, 2005 9:24:38 GMT -5
When I was growing up, in the 60's, we also lived on the North side of the lake, without roads, so traveled by boat then to get home too. I would have to take myself to the mainland to go "out" or visit friends and came home after dark most of the time. We had a big 30 gallon metal can with all the food garbage in it that would accumulate over the month, it was in a stand of four poles with chain around, so the bears wouldn't tip it over (they had to crawl in the top to eat). So we had bears in the can almost every night. I had to walk by them, about 75 feet away, when I came home. 100% of the time they'd snort and take off a short way into the woods until I was past. My dad never worried about me unless we knew a very persistent and bold bear was frequenting the garbage can; then he said he would stay awake until he knew I was home. If we did have such a bear, it usually was eventually shot dead to get rid of it. These were the ones who would also try to break into the house, but they were not common. I was warry, but not generally afraid of them. Sometimes they stood their ground, but not once has one ever come after me. IC
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Post by intrepidcamper on Mar 25, 2005 9:32:37 GMT -5
My most exciting Moose encounter was in Gardner Bay (northeast of Crooked Lake), I was going solo and had camped on a tiny rocky ledge point because a thunder storm was approaching. I set up camp and started dinner, and was sitting by my campfire stirring dinner when I heard some kind of gutteral snuffling. I couldn't see what it was and finally decided it was Bullfrogs talking. Just then out of the corner of my eye I see a BIG Moose swimming toward me, his breathing in the water was making the noises. He swam along the shore, just off shore, and was coming my way. He kept coming until he was less than 30 feet away; I finally said "Yo Moose" because I thought I was going to be stepped on when he got out of the water; and I was looking for a tree to climb if I had to. Apparently he hadn't heard humans much, because he didn't flinch, but did end up swimming parallel to shore, past me, very close. He went on to a lily pad patch about 150 feet away and began eating. He stayed there the entire time I cooked and ate dinner, and finally wandered off. He was so close I could hear him chewing.
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Post by wildernessmama on Mar 25, 2005 9:45:03 GMT -5
There's nothing so impressive than an encounter with a moose and we've had several. The most exciting was when we were awakened at 2 a.m. by a grunting sound outside our tent. (This WAS during rutting season!) A cow moose had been bawling just down the shore from our site earlier in the evening, but we had heard her splash off about 11 p.m. The sight of the bull standing a mere 10' from our screen door was a sight to behold and a real heart stopper as he studied our tent and tried to figure if we were a threat. We held our breath and waited for endless moments before he sauntered down the trail, and fortunately, avoided the food pack hanging directly above him. The next morning he came back and strolled behind our tent for a closer look. We agreed to give one another space, and our healthy respect for one another led to a peaceful ending.
Hoping to see a bear on our May trip. I don't have any bear stories to tell yet! ;D
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Post by wildernessmama on Mar 25, 2005 9:51:14 GMT -5
OK, this encounter may not be as exciting as a moose or bear, but the personalities of those little red squirrels can sometimes exceed their cuteness. The one that befriended me at breakfast was funny to say the least. I was sitting by the grate enjoying a second cup of coffee when all of a sudden "Whap!" I felt something hit my shoulder. When I slowly turned my head I made eye-to-eye contact with the little critter who was perched on my shoulder. I don't know who was more startled. He wasted no time sliding down the back of my coat, leaving me with a lasting impression of my close encounter with wildlife.
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Post by HowardSprague on Mar 25, 2005 10:31:23 GMT -5
No encounters in the woods, but about 3-4 with a bear in my garage in the spring! My fault, I left the garage door open (the other door leads to my kitchen) and some garbage in the garage. Lynne - Good thing it didn't steal your car. My closest moose was about 50 yds away. Crawled out of my tent on Sandpit one morning (trip was my canoe camping intro), heard splashing, looked to my left, & there she was coming out of the water & into the woods. Up 1 minute later, & I'd never have known!
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