Tent safety and wildlife

[The Adam Blaster]

After reading the OP I did some googling and found this:
Bear Fence

Seems like a good idea if you were camping up in Alaska or Canada.

Despite the popular-held belief, Canada does not have bears rambling through every square foot of land in our country. lololol

But, in most camp sites they will post whether there have been bears in the area lately, and when to take extra care how you store food etc.

One thing many people don't think about keeping packed away properly is toothpaste. It has a fairly strong and attractive scent to a bear, and most people have it tucked away in a little toiletry bag that gets brought into th tent with them at night.

 

[shahram]

A buddy who I camp with in the desert likes to sleep under the stars in all but the most inclement conditions. I always worried that I might wake up to an unwanted visitor, perhaps a pissed off baby rattlesnake snuggled up in my neck, or an errant scorpion in my bag. Maybe a tarantula would mistake my mouth for its funnel burrow. Maybe a mouse or kangaroo rat would nip me on the lip or face during the night out of curiosity, or because I had leftover boerwors and curry on my moustache.

I would close the zippers shut tight on my tent before I could fall asleep and dream of swatting and slapping and nipping and stinging and fighting and writhing. Wake up in a sweat, because the tent flapping sounded like anything from a bat's wings to a snake's rattle to a killer's footsteps. That cloth membrane did nothing for peace of mind, until I was awake enough to check the zippers, look out the windows, mind the pistol next to me.

Recently, I have taken to sleeping under the stars like my buddy. No flapping tent sounds, plenty of fresh air, and the view is unbelievable. So far, no animal has taken a liking to me enough to disturb my slumber. Maybe it's the bear-like snoring. Maybe it's the garlic and bourbon breath. Maybe the farts.

I can't say why or how, but opening myself up to direct attack has given me peace. I am no longer worried about little invaders that will work the tent to trip my defenses of nylon to wreak harm upon my exposed face. I have surrendered. I have said Go ahead. Nip. Bite. Sting. Snuggle. Do what you will. No? Then let me get some sleep!

 

[R_Lefebvre]

Thanks for the replies.

I agree that it is more dangerous in our cities, that's why I don't ride my bike anywhere near them and I fear setting up my tent in my own back yard. Those on this forum that live in or around a major suburb know the crazies that are out and about.

But like others have stated we have to have common sense to avoid any silly mistakes from the wildlife.


Thanks again for the replies.

RG

Damn... if you feel that way, why don't you move somewhere else? In Canada, outside of the major cities, this is the last thing on your mind. I only lock my doors when I go to sleep. Sometimes I leave them unlocked on my trucks overnight because I forgot. No big deal. I have a shed out back with stuff in it that doesn't even have a lock on the door yet. I don't have a fence, but wouldn't hesitate to let my kids sleep in a tent in the back yard. The vast majority of people don't feel the need to have home defense weapons. You can wander most cities at night alone with little risk.

As for animals, in eastern Canada there are no grizzlies, only black bears. Black bears are not a real threat except for near the car camping areas (ironic). In the more remote areas, bears are still afraid of humans, and will only approach if they don't know you're there. Once you realize they're close, if you take the right actions, they will leave. We don't really have anything poisonous around here.

Near the car camping sites, bears have learned that people are food sources, and that they don't pose a threat. It's a big problem with them getting into your stuff, and if you don't handle the encounter properly it could be a problem.

 

[The Adam Blaster]

Near the car camping sites, bears have learned that people are food sources, and that they don't pose a threat. It's a big problem with them getting into your stuff, and if you don't handle the encounter properly it could be a problem.

People out in this area can get pretty stupid around the wildlife, mostly the tourists going through the major National Parks.
I've seen people get out of their cars with their kids and tell their kids to go stand by that elk or moose so they can take a picture of them.
:clapsmile
Good work folks, way to put your kid in direct danger.
I yelled at one group of folks that started to get out of their car to look at a bear...

 

[bucketosudz]

I agree with the sentiments of many, that the two-legged should be our worst fear. I grew up hunting and fishing in western Wyoming and one thing my Father always reminded me of, was that I was encroaching on Wildlife territory, not the other way around. Mutual respect in the outdoors will give all of us many, many years of enjoyment.

On another note, I spent a weekend at Lake Powell one Summer. It was Hotter than blazes out, and frankly I was too lazy to put a tent up. So I pitched my sleeping bag out on a large, wide rock for the evening, and commenced to sleeping. The following morning I awoke and was beckoned to breakfast, I ate, then returned to retrieve my bag. What I saw as doing so wrecked my senses forever. As I picked up the bag to fold and roll, a six-foot long rattler had taken up residence under my bag!!!:Wow1: Scared silly, my mind could only wonder how long that thing had been shacked under my bedroll. Needless to say the following night, I slept in the bed of the truck.

 

[cowboy4x4]

I'm suprissed that snake didnt nail you during the night while moving around in your bag.

 

[R_Lefebvre]

I've always wondered... since I rattlers don't live up here... why would they CHOOSE to sleep near you (for warmth?) but then get upset when you moved? If they don't want to be near another "animal"... then just go away.

Do they curl up next to mongooses?

 

[bucketosudz]

Surprised YES!!!! Yikes... It was like watching a movie in slow motion as the rattler slithered away unbothered, heart racing and everyone around me slackjaw in disbelief. We all were in wonderment as to how long it had been there. I was also fortunate to have picked up the right end of the bag.

Rattlers will sun themselves during the daytime sun, then as the sun sets they seek shade and warmth. Under a rock, Sage, downed debris, errant sleeping bags:Wow1: ect. I wished I still had the photo to share, it was one of the largest snakes I've encountered.

One more, A good friend and I during summer break while I was in highschool, decided to hike the falls near Sinks Canyon in the Wind River Mountains south of Lander, Wyoming. We backpacked up and fishing for "brookies" along the way for supper. Full-belly and tired, I threw down a small tarp and my bag on a large rock near the water. I got in the bag and covered the top of myself with the remaining section of tarp. It was an absolutely beautiful evening, stars bright and twinkling, just and ever so subtle breeze. I slipped off to slumber.

Unconsciously I remember wiping what felt like dew or mist from the falls from my face a time a two. Then all of the sudden I heard the loudest sneeze, snuffle, whatever you call it, and I open my eyes and a cow moose is standing over me:elkgrin:. I was too startled to yell so I grabbed the first thing I could throw. The moose went on about its travels. After settling down, and returning to sleep, I awoke to sun cresting the mountain, and spent the rest of the morning looking for my wallet, I threw at the moose.........:wings:

 

[maximumrob]

If y'all haven't noticed, there's a trend amongst these replies. The folks who spend the most nights outdoors are the least worried about critters. Those who spend the least are looking for ways to protect themselves from monster, ravenous predators.

I've no issues with those who carry if it makes you feel better, and feel better myself with something on my hip, but the comments here make it worth noting the trend!



.