Bears are active right now - Sept 17, 2015

Report from the USFS, Kawishiwi Ranger Station, Ely MN

Bears are really active right now—reports from the old Service Center on Central Avenue in Ely, to the Passi Road on Burntside, to the large island in the South Arm of Knife Lake and even Lakes One and Two.

Now is the time to put bird feeders away, stash any trash in secure buildings, and be extra mindful when camping in the BWCAW. Please remember, coolers are NOT bear resistant containers. Once a bear gets hold of food it will return many times to the same site looking for more food. Save a bear and be stingy with your left overs.

·        The report received from the large island in the South Arm of Knife included tents torn. This is likely a mother bear and cubs who have been pretty active in this area.

·        No specific details on the bear in Lake Two area. It may have damaged a tent.

·        A bear on Lake One got a group’s entire food bag. No information on which site.

Hang your food bag or use a bear resistant food barrel

·        The bear in the Service Center was easily scared away.   The bear on the Passi Road destroyed some bird feeders. 

Bear Encounter Report - August 17, 2015

This report is furnished by the USFS, Kawishiwi Ranger Station, Ely MN

•       On 8/11 on Spoon Lake south side, first site to the right of the south portage. At 5:30 a.m. bear wandered into camp and was chased away. 10 minutes later bear was in food pack tree. Was chased out but stayed near campsite for some time.
• .       8/15 and 16: south shore of Vera, second site to the south: Large bear pulled group’s food pack down while they were out on a day trip. Group returned before bear got into their food and they retrieved the pack. Bear continued to circle camp, woofing, most of the day.
• .       8/14 Knife Lake site 16 south of Thunder Pt: Bear tore into hanging food pack while group was on a day trip, managed to reach into cooler inside pack and pull all the food out. Group was experienced but pulled pack high and the pack came close enough to the tree for the bear to reach it. Group did not see the bear

Bear Awareness

1. Keep your campsite clean. Never eat or store food in your tent.
2. Take all precautions to discourage bears from visiting your site, including hanging your food pack or using a bear-resistant container, as well as garbage and anything that has a strong or sweet odor (soap, toothpaste, lib balm, etc.)
3. Some bears overcome their fear of humans and approach campsites looking for food. This includes island campsites since bears are good swimmers.
4. If you do encounter a bear, most will be scared off if you make noise (shout, bang pots, or throw fist sized rocks at the bear, etc)
5. A very persistent bear may be discouraged by spraying pepper spray into its eyes.
6. When scouting out a campsite and you spot bear scat (poop) in the campsite, assume bear frequent the site and move to another campsite. If you do not know the difference between bear scat and wolf poop, assume it is bear scat and move to another campsite.

Spirit of the Wilderness Outfitters & Outdoor Store, Ely MN rents and sells bear resistant barrels and pack hanging systems. Give us a call at 218-365-3149 or 800-950-2709 today and start planning your September BWCA adventure.

30 liter, 60 liter barrels w/harness

Kondos pack hanging system

    

Kawishiwi Ranger District update - June 25, 2013

      More campsites have been opened on Three, Horseshoe, Harbor, and the Wilders. This should be the last group of campsite openings for the Kawishiwi District.  116 campsites were affected by the 2011 Pagami Creek Fire on the Kawishiwi and the Tofte Districts.  To date 18 sites remain closed in the Kawishiwi Ranger District.  These sites will remain closed for a rest period of 4-10 years.  

      

     The maps will be updated on the Superior National Forest web page;

      http://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/superior/home/?cid=stelprdb5341928#maps

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      Bear activity

      The USFS has received a few more bear reports:

o    S. Arm of Knife L (probably the same bear making its rounds). No aggressive action but quite persistent.

o   Basswood: especially around Washington Island. Also no aggressive action but very persistent.

Remember to keep your campsite clean, do not bring any food or toiletries into your tent, hang your food pack (12 feet up and at least 3 feet away from trunk of tree) away from your tent and main area of your campsite or use a bear resistant food container.

Entering & exiting the BWCA:

·         You are required to enter the BWCA on a specific date at a specific entry point as listed on your permit. Once you exit the wilderness your trip is done and you will need a new permit to re-enter. The USFS is hearing reports of people who camp on Disappointment or Lake One and other close-in lakes who are treating their sites like campgrounds—going into town or nearby resorts to shop or buy ice cream then paddling back out to their campsite. There are campgrounds and dispersed sites (Tofte, Snowbank, Triangle, Ojibway, Burntside, Bass L., etc.) if you are looking for that sort of experience.