jedimaster

I think we would all agree that leaving open food around your campsite is a no no. Part of the reason for hanging your food is not to keep the bears away its to keep them from eating your food. Thats why I keep the food hung away from my tent. Like I said I don't particularly want to come back to my campsite to find all my food eaten. If your comfortabe with carrying a barrel with you and jamming it under a picnic table than go ahead, but when I am in bear country I pack very light as we are portaging and I don't portage with barrels or coolers. I choose to hang my food to prevent it from being eaten.

As for predatory bears they are there and they will attack and kill moose. Part of the reason people are asking for the return of the spring bear hunt is because black bears are preying on moose and the population has seen a steady decline since the spring bear hunts removal.

Here is a link to a study on Black bears. some quick points from the 5 year study incase you don't want to read it.

five year on-going study (1992-97) of large (120kg+) adult male black bears

there could be as many as 191 large males breeding within unhunted Algonquin Park

Predation by black bears on as many as five moose (Alces alces) (four calves, one yearling bull and possibly one cow) and one black bear has been documented during this study.

Predation by large adult male black bears on Algonquin Park moose (Alces alces) and other bears in excess of 40kg has been documented, proving that these bears are capable of preying on, and have developed a search image for, prey equal to or larger in size than many humans.

Back country bears that normally avoid human contact become quite tolerant of human presence at dump sites (food sources) that they frequent during the non-breeding period. The presence of food at back country campsites however, may trigger unpredictable responses toward humans by these same bears.

As a result of five human deaths inflicted by two large adult male black bears (Ursus americanus) in Algonquin Park, Ontario, a long-term study is being conducted to examine certain aspects of bears anatomy, physiology and behaviour which might lead toward a better understanding of such attacks. While it is extremely unusual to be attacked by a black bear, most such instances across North America ( 96.6%, n = 29) involve adult males in excess of 120kg body weight. Evidence at Algonquin Park kill sites indicated that the attacks were predatory in nature.

Perhaps the most prototypical quote form this survey is this last one.

Funding constraints have led to a phasing out of the Algonquin Black Bear Study. Monitoring of the one remaining radio-collared bear will continue through 2001. In addition, efforts will be made to publish the results of this 10-year project.

Misfish yours is 800 x 122.

Here is the resized version.

I would think over feeding is your culprit. Those filters are also pretty crappy. Might want to invest in a better filter. Its far better to have a bigger filter than one just barely good enough.

What do you have in the bottom of the tank? Sand, Gravel, Nothing...

Koi and other goldfish are notoriously dirty fish so you are much better off with as big and as good of a filter as you can. Is the filter getting clogged with waste or with something else like perhaps algea? Have you been doing regular water changes? 5 - 20 percent per month? Is it sitting in a window? how long do you leave the lights on the tank. When you say murky do you mean hazy like a foggy or murky like muddybrownish dirty looking water like Lake scugog?

When breaking into someones house how do you know if they are a gun packing Dead Head or just a normal sane person?

Have you ever heardof a bear going into a camp site and eating a human because it couldn't get to food that was hung? I haven't but I have heard of bears comming into camps and attacking humans where there was food laying around the camp site.

I guess if you feel happy enough that you can safely bait a bear to your picnic table 15 feet from your tent so it will ignore you in your tent than so be it. I would still rather not have my food eaten and be forced to cut my trip short because I didn't hang the food. Of course you need to weigh the effort for yourself as to the likely hood of a bear being in your camp site. I mean if you haven't seen one in the are you camp in in 25 years then its a pretty good chance that leaving your food on the table isn't going to attract one.

I dunno personal preference I guess. Just seems dumb to not bear proof if your in a spot where you know there will be bears. It doesn't take all that long to hang a rope from a tree. tie rock to the rope and toss it over, or even just loop it over not really that hard ot time consumming. Once its done once for that site you can just leave it there the whole time. No skin off my teeth if you get eaten by a bear in your sleep or you food gets eaten by a bear while your away from your camp.

But if your asking for advice I would srecommend 100 percent everytime when your in an area with bears that you should bear proof your site. But do as you see fit. It seems that most people bear proof there sites from reading this thread.

Cool they need to make those for sleeping bags for when you camping in Bear Country.

I don't think a single person, myself included has said it's not a good idea to hang a food pack, just that in remote areas it's not really necessary.

I find it funny to see people whose idea of living in the north equates to Muskoka and whose actual bush experience has been limited to Algonquin Park, attempting to offer an educated viewpoint on something they have no real first hand experience in.

 

If you talking about me, and we are talking about living with bears then I have lived with bears in my yard, does it matter where I have lived with them? As for where I have camped Algonquin is only one of the many places I have camped. I mention Algonquin in my thread as that is where most people will encounter a bear when camping. I have only ever seen one bear while camping outside of Algonquin or Silent Lake. and yes they just happen to be provincial parks. I thought we were talking about camping with bears?

If you look at the original post you will see the person is from Southern Ontario and camping in the Back Country. I had assumed this was the Back Country as refered to in Algonquin. I have never called or heard of anyone calling some random bush up north the Back Country.

That is why I have been talking about Algonquin. If you want to talk about camping much further north outside of Provincial Parks and away from human population(garbage dumps) than yes I think you will find that you will almost never see a black bear. Most certainly not see one in your camp as they don't associate people with food. In those circumstances they associate people with bang I am dead.

Although I haven't seen any stats I would imagine that the vast majority of bear maulings and deaths have taken place in provincial parks or designated campgrounds.

I still can't see why someone would not recommend anyone to not bear proof there campsite when they are in an area with black bears....especially if they are in Algonquin or another Bear Country Park. Come to think of it, the last time I was in Silent Lake a Park Ranger was making rounds reminding people to bear proof there sites as there was bears in the area.

Also I wouldn't particularly call a random bush far away from civilization Bear Country neither. To me the term "Bear Country" is reserved for areas where you have a chance of seeing a Black Bear, not just some random bush wher eyou will camp for 25 years and never see a Bear. If you have never seen a bear in 25 years of camping have actually been camping bear country. I would think your not in Bear Country, your just out in the bush with squirels and racoons... jmho.

Make sure you follow the correct regulations when carrying a firearm of course. Also you better damn well understand that you are going to get charged with poaching black blears if you don't have the legal shot size and a tag. I always buy my bear tag incase I see one. I don't go bear hunting but I like to know that I can legally shoot it if I do run into one.

No doubt when you go outside the main park areas and away from garbage dumps you will see fewer bears.

But thats where most people see them and thats where most people go camping and need to bear proof. In provincial parks while camping with families and at home in the outskirts of rural towns. These encounters are far more likely to be dangerous in these areas and thats why every park you go to that is in bear country will absolutley 100 percent recommend that you bear proof your campsite.

Thats also why they are in the news. When you see a black bear in the far north away from human population, chances are very likley it will bolt the instant it notices you. But like you said in the provincial parks and rural towns they can indeed be dangerous as they are looking for food.

Its from the understanding and research of their behaviour that is leading to legislation to hopefully allow for the thinning out of the bear population(spring bear hunt's return).

Bear population is on the rise.

Bear incidents are on the rise.

These have been proven to be related to the reduction of bear hunting.

Black bears are not an endangered species there are thousands of them. Many in places where its not safe for them or humans.

When your in there backyard its best to place safe don't you think? My idea of bear proofing is not mine. Its what is recommended everywhere. I didn't invent bear proofing you campsite. I just prefer to not take the lazy way out and think nothing will happen. The same as how I put a life jacket on when canoeing. I am confident in my skills and the calm lake but I still wear it. The same as I am confident that a bear won't attack me in my tent, but I still prefer to bear proof my campsite when camping in areas with bears and where its recommended to bear proof your campsite.

Also about bears not being killed because if we educated ourselves about them. The first thing ANY bear research program states is no food around equals no bears. Don't have bird feeders, don;t leave your garbage outside, clean your barbeque. Why anyone would choose to ignore that research seems silly to me but to each their own.

I dunno, I guess I still carry a northern resident view on black bears. Definalty not PC on the matter.

Just picked up my ice fishing companion last night. Alaskan Husky. It will be pulling me and my ice gear out for me. well not this year but next year it will be pulling me. I sold my boat so I am totally read for ice fishing. Although not til I fill my hunting tags though.

I dunno, I have carried firecrackers with me in the past I paddled past a bear on shore and light it off and it took off into the bush like a bat out of hell.

Only thing is it would be a bit fumbly to light up a lady finger when you cross paths with a bear and your addrenaline starts pumping.

I would also recommend against the flame thrower idea. Although it sounds like a cool idea I think it would present a bit of danger especially from inside a tent. A can of pepper spray without the use of alighter hsould be sufficient.....The normal bears will just run away when you make your presence known screaming, banging, pepper spray etc... but if its an aggresive bear out to attack you the only thing you can do is beat it away. Rocks paddles etc...

A bear was beaten away by camp councilers with paddles in algonquin when it attacked and pinned a boy.

These "Man eater" bears are said to naturally occur in Algonquin park every 5 years or something like that. They will stalk and attack humans. Its a genetic defect in the bears. This is well documented.

In all likelyhood you won't even see a bear let alone a "man eater". But if your lucky or unlucky(depending on how you see it and your circumstances) you may have an encounter.

No matter what anyones experiences have been good or bad...I just can't understand how you would in good conciense tell someone they don't need to worry about Black Bears in Bear country and don't need to hang there food away from there tent.

I doub't anyone here would tell someone that they don't need to wear a life jacket while canoeing, or wear a seat belt or not drink and drive. It just doesn't make sense to me.

Certainly no offense to anyone that doesn't bear proof there campsite, like I said its your life and your picnic basket. Just don't cry out for sympathy if it were to happen to you.

I have been camping in bear country for over 20 years, often times by myself(I used to Loop from Opeongo, Happy Isle and Merchant for 2 weeks while I was in college by myself).

I have had bears enter my camp and I have seen bears enter other peoples camp. I have heard of more people drowning than I have being mauled by a black bear as well.

Will you ever see a black bear in your camp? Maybe not. But why take the chance? And what exactly about my comments are dangerous?

Hang your food away from your camp, cook and eat away from your camp and sleep soundly. Leave your food laying around and try to have a good nights sleep wondering if you forgot to close the peanut butter jar, or if the cooler lid is off or the bag of freeze dried nuts and berries was left open.

In Silent Lake I know personally of 3 different people that have had black bears trash there site, once while sleeping and they cut a hole in there tent to escape to the van that was luckily parked right near the tent with the sliding door facing the tent.

In algonquin we were once chased off of Happy Isle by a black bear.

I have seen several sniffing and exploring camp sites while paddling up opeongo, Usually in the lower arm near Bates Island.

So I am happy for those of you that haven't seen black bears while camping, but don't expect any simpathy from anyone if you were to have a bear ravage your long weekend or ruin your two week portage because you didn'tkeep your food stored securly.

I am still curious as to why you find y commens dangerous?

There ARE maulings that don't make the news, there are Sites that get trashed that don't make the news. The hanging of food is not just to keep you from getting killed(not very likely at all) but how happy would you be to paddle back to your camp site only to see a bear mowing down you loaf of bread that was sitting on a stump?

Bears are shot and relocated all the time in Large bear country parks because of encounters. Few are do to death, I think the average is one death every 3 - 5 years in algonquin. Use your brain. Tie up food, pay attention when walking the trails especially when going around corners. From my understanding most black bear maulings are from jumping a bear comming around a corner on a trail.

Yah I am actually amazed at how well Raycroft has played since being demoted behind Vesa. Happy to see the leafs have a decent tandem in nets. The bad side is when you give up 50 shots in a game your going to lose. Even with a guy Roy or Hasek in net you will lose more than you win.

I mean what goalie is going to stop a goal in the last 5 minute of a game when you give up a 3 on 1.

Maurice promissed better defense this year. So far the defense has sucked BIG time.

I would also like to add that my 11 year old son said to me last night. after they lost.

"Gee Dad I wish we had a better team to root for."

I said...

"Yah me too"

I guess it may very well depend on the type of liner used.

http://hartshearth.com/chimney/flexreline_diagrams.htm

According to this website they recommend that everyliner used in a wood burning install should have insulation. But that may be for a masonry only install and not a clay tile install.

Eitherway I'll just let the Wett person decide.

To the guy that said you have a better chance of being struck by lightning....

Well if you ran around in a thunderstorm with a 10 foot metal pole duct taped to your head you would greatly increase your chances of being struck by lightning.

Keeping food at ground level or even worse in your tent is like running around with a pole on your head in a thunderstorm when in bear country.

Use your head for more than a hat rack. Tie up your food and sleep soundly. or if you want to get your rocks off. leave it on your picnic table 10 feet from your tent wake up in in fear at every crackle or sound when inside your tent.

Thanks, I have talked to several Wett installers and waiting to get a few quotes back. I need a Wett installer to do the install of the liner otherwise I will have to find a new insurance company and I don't want to go through the hastle.

The insulation will not overheat its there to protect the walls and brick from overheating. Apparently it is 100 percent neccesary if the inner lining of the chiminey is degraded(The clay tile inserts are crcked worn broken missing etc...

I have looked down and the tiles seem to be in good shape.

The hardest part of the job in our case will be removing the concrete thimbal and putting one back in place.

Its a bit hard to tell but is anyone in this thread Wett Certified and looking for a job?

The funniest thing is when I was on my way home from work last night I was thinking man if Mcabe keeps getting boo he is just gonna turn around and fire a slap shot at there own net and score on purpose then skate off the ice and quit. I was talking to my sone about what I was thinking when I got home and then sure enough what happens he fires it in the net. Not on purpose but we laughed for a while at it.

you can give up 90 shots in two games and expect to win.

The Leafs defense is just aweful it looks like they are short handed when they are at full strength. Its also not just the Defense that sucks. the forwards re too slow on the forecheck this causes quick turn overs and forces the defense to back pedal the entire game instead of pressing the puck in the other end.

The leafs are too slow to compete. I am totally ammazed that they managed to come up with a point. That is a HUGE acheivement for such a lousy team. They may even be able to be in the chase for the last playoff spot again. That would be an achievment. Being in the chase for the last play off spot.

Why take the chance. There are far more bear attacks than what you hear about in the news.

Hang it far away from where you will camp. If a bear enters your site one nite looking for food, move far away to another site. It will come back.

Sent a PM to a BrickNblock or something like that, its an older ad, not sure if he is still on here.

Hey folks,

Just wondering if anyone here is wett certified or knows someone that is that could answer a question for me.

I am going to be installing an SS flexible liner inside of a masonry factory built chimney, just wnat to know if you need to insulate it? The existiing chimeny has a clay insert in it now but is a bit crmbly in a few spots.

I have phoned the Towns inspector but he does know, and phones two places now and they won't tell me if insulation is required or not, just that they will install it.

Lookingt o buy a bass boat style Fish n Ski.

Not a bowrider thats been converted(Been there), Need a shallow draft bassboat, that just happens to have seating for 5 or 6, either a bench seat and two jump seats in front ortwo captains chairs and a bench behind.

Lots in the states, but none in Canada. Lots of Bass boats but they only seat 2 and unless my wife divorces me I am not allowed to have a boat for 2.

Not too worried, although I was all ready to go, been looking for a while and am ready to pull the trigger on the right boat for the right price. They are tough sells in the states because most guys want all out bass boat with as much deck space as possible, I am willing to give up the deck space for a few extra seats.

A Bowrider is too deep of a draft for where I will be fishing. So that kinda limits me.

Procraft, Stratus, Tracker and Cajun are the models I am looking at.

Yah I have a few other leads, just waiting for the exact right type of boat. Not many around that suit what I want....None in canada. They aren't popular up here.

Will keep looking.

Yah imo if something triggers off negative its time to step back right away before something else goes wrong. I have been caught up in snowballs before.

NOpe can't get one til next week. Gonna pass. I am a big believer in the snowball effect. If one thing goes wrong many things that follow usually do. Will keep looking.

Hmm, Looks like I may not be going down after all. The guy lost the title, he is calling the Department involved to see if he can get a replacement by tomorow.

Thats why I have picture n picture, fishing on the big one and porn on the little one. No need to watch softcore nonsense.