Cats & Wolves & Bears, OH MY! Tips for caching

[huffinpuffin2]

We’ve not yet come face-to-face with a bear or wolf or big cat while caching, but as we cache more and more in the areas they inhabit, we increasingly come upon ‘fresh evidence’ that we’re coming close to each other. (fresh prints, scat, howling)

Are Bears, Wolves and/or Big Cats a real threat when caching way out in the wild? And if so, how are folks keeping things ‘comfortable’ when caching on their turf?

Thanks 😯 😯

[JimandLinda]

All large Wisconsin beasts ONLY feed on LCG players with more than 50 points for the month. 😯

😉

[uws22]

i’ve spotted bears twice while up north specifically caching. once placing a cache, once finding (of course plenty of other times hunting and riding and whatnot). neither were that close up, but since I was out of the car, it was definitely something that got my attention. While working at Copper Falls SP I came pretty close to both bears and wolves, but they always took off.

Like caching in the desert in the middle of nowhere, when I cache in the Chequamegon Nat’l Forest I carry a .357 magnum, but also try to make lots of noise. keys stay clipped on the outside so that they make more noise than just in my pockets. also, unlike when I’m hunting, I will step on branches and whatnot to make more noise.

[BeccaDay]

Last summer I was caching just outside Tetons NP. I had just seen a black bear in the park earlier that morning. I was hiking by myself and had forgotten about making noise so I was kind of freaking out when I entered this area that had really high brush. I was bushwacking to get to the cache when a grouse or pheasant or something shot up about a foot or two away from me. I nearly had a heart attack! I’m pretty sure I shouted a few obsenities too. 😆 If anyone’s interested, it’s still one of my favorite caches: GC1516B

Not all who wander are lost. -J.R.R. Tolkien

[Barry Butrymowicz]

I also keep my keys hanging on a beener on my belt for noise, you can also take a bell and clip it to your shoe or buy “bear Bells” they are like a elastic ankle bracket with bells to make some noise usually that will keep them far from you.

[huffinpuffin2]

Thanks much for the insights so far! Appreciate it!

We’ve been using bells that we bought out in Glacier National Park, where they sold them to help ‘announce’ your presence to Grizzlies. So far, so good, while using them.

But did see bear from time to time, years ago, in Chequamegon while mountain biking, but had no intentional noise-makers at that time. Did not think they posed a threat at the time. But also felt pretty invincible in general, back then……….

A little over a year ago, got caught out caching one winter night by Conover/Land’O Lakes, still about a mile from the vehicle and moving slowly in deep snow, when a bunch of wolves started howling nearby. Had no idea if they were a concern, but sure picked up the pace, just in case. Not sure a GPS and a couple of TB’s would have been useful for defense, if needed……

[Barry Butrymowicz]

Depends on the size of the TB, We have moved a 14lb bowling ball (Black Beauty) TBHEMK. We have also moved a full size car tire TB (Tommy the Tire) TB46EF

At least the tire could have been used as a chew toy.

[huffinpuffin2]

@sweetlife wrote:

Depends on the size of the TB, We have moved a 14lb bowling ball (Black Beauty) TBHEMK. We have also moved a full size car tire TB (Tommy the Tire) TB46EF

At least the tire could have been used as a chew toy.

Yes! Gotta think outside the box! Thanks!

Hmmmmmmm, .357 magnum TB sounds a bit easier to carry………… must check eBay…….. 😀

[Team_Sandman]

@sweetlife wrote:

Depends on the size of the TB, We have moved a 14lb bowling ball (Black Beauty) TBHEMK. We have also moved a full size car tire TB (Tommy the Tire) TB46EF

At least the tire could have been used as a chew toy.

Those are two awesome TB’s I want them.

[Northwoods Tom]

Noise, noise, noise! Like to sing, sing out loud! If it knows you’re in the area, it will avoid you, most of the time.

I purposely travel silent when caching in the north woods trying to view/photograph wildlife at the same time. Yet I also occasionally will carry a firearm when I’m in an area of high wolf depredation. The DNR identifies these areas on their website. Bear encounters are becoming less of a problem due to the increase in hunter tags being issued. Those bears want nothing to do with humans unless you get between a sow and its cub. Wolves are another problem, with their protected status, and their association with humans as being a curiosity that seems to pose no threat, they will check you out. Often you will never know. I personally have never had any adverse encounters with either species, but am aware of individuals who have with both. Cougar encounters in Wisconsin are extremely rare yet they are there. Traveling in a group or with a partner, lessens the chance of encounters with all those critters even more.

As far as being comfortable, I don’t think you ever are completely when traveling far off the beaten path on foot. You know they are there, they know you are there, you just stay aware. Even when I carry a firearm, I still remain alert. This isn’t a cache in your city park you’re going after, and the rewards are so much more when you get there, especially if you safely encounter lions, tigers and bears, OH MY!

[Trekkin and Birdin]

We’re out in those kinds of places and yes, have seen some of those critters, from fairly safe distances. Rather than freak about it, I see such sightings as a gift; those animals are allowing us to see them. We aren’t foolhardy and use caution, but don’t carry firearms or any such thing. In full disclosure, Trekkin’ has done 1750s primitive encampments in the area you just cached, sleeping in those woods in only his bedroll, and on those occasions, has carried an unloaded smoothbore flintlock. 😉

The critters are out there and we share the land with them. Most don’t want to be bothered with us. In early spring, bears can be grumpy and it’s good to know that. We’ve had a few close wolf encounters. Have never had the good fortune to see pups, but if they aren’t threatened, they’ll just size us up and move along. Seeing these animals is part of why we love caching in areas like that. Though we haven’t actively pursued Lonely Caches since the first year, people might notice we’ve often visited many of them before they ever became “lonely” and offered points. The remote locations and chances for animal sightings are part of the reason we love them.

[rtrezrsnhvn]

This is a great conversation and reminder to me as we head up to the Eagle River/St.Germain area next month. I remember locating ET’s Cache last yr and it was eerily quiet (AND BUGGY) as we hiked to gz from the road. No one knew where we were and I kept scanning the area for creatures that might want to “share the land” with us. My kids love that kind of stuff; I just need to make sure we are smart about it when we are in their territory. I’m pretty sure we had the noise level covered…. and if you’ve met RT4, you’ll understand completely 😉

[The Pirate Monkies]

For some advice regarding bears see this link… GC1TVXF

[huffinpuffin2]

@The Pirate Monkies wrote:

For some advice regarding bears see this link… GC1TVXF

Having a nice cool drink on a hot day, and then this pops up!

Great! Thanks! 😆 Wiping off the Keyboard now…………..

[Timberline Echoes]

We have crossed paths with Bobcats a few times. They just run off as fast as they can.
One wolf we have crossed paths with hackled up and stared at us, then ran off before I got the camera out. Two others at another place just ran off. Although there have been a few people in our area that have had their dogs attacked or killed by wolves.

We have run into bear more times than we can count. Their usual behavior is to run a short distance, turn and look at you and then high tail it away.

Now Sandhill Cranes that is another story. They will sneak up on you and run at you and scare the living daylights out of you. One pair took to the air and kept circling above us.

We just make a lot of noise and have not had any problems.
TE

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