Bear. Coyotes., Eight Raccoons. BATTERIES! And fish.

You would think that there is everything a person might need to go out into the forest and fish at night in the back of my car. BUT SOMETHING WAS MISSING. Hundreds and hundreds of times in the forest, from a child until now. No cell phones back in the day, so my mom would worry until I got back home safe. My cell phone came in handy last night. More specific, the light on my cell phone. Sure needed that light last night because what was missing in the back of my car was batteries.

First head lamp went out no problem. Second head lamp went out no problem. The flexible flashlight around my neck provides enough light to fish but no distance to it. Then one light on that one went out. I always plan for things like this but this many at the same time...give me a break.

So I knew I could fish with one light around my neck and the light on my phone could help me see to walk out of the forest later. Or the other option was to fish until the sun came up, which I do all the time anyways. So continued to fish the shoreline for crappie. The crappie were hitting crank baits, but then the real fun started. Around midnight two adult and six baby raccoons invaded my spot. They wanted my fish and would not take no for an answer. Finally convinced them to leave me alone, but that took a lot of coaxing. Then the coyotes showed up but not too close, did not see them. It was a perfect night, nice and cool and not many mosquitoes fishing under the big pine trees. Continued to fish until I smelt the bear. Bears kind of smell like a skunk sometimes. Not because they were sprayed by a skunk, it is just a similar smell. Bears are beautiful, and my favourite animal, but they are very stinky. Did not see him for about an hour, so when he showed up I walked into the water just up to my knees. Threw two crappie as far as I could down the shore and walked the other way making as much splashing noise as I could. Did not see him anymore but was not pushing my luck. Quit fishing for the evening and walked back to my car. It was great night, Mother Nature watched over me. I Absolutely love bears and cherish the memories of every encounter. This was the shortest visit with a bear ever. He showed up, I split. Here are some pictures of a couple crappie.

Another. Hooked that one right in the eye.

Another.

Sorry one of those is the same fish. That's it I guess.

hahaha.......can't tell you how many times those lights have failed on me

nevertheless........a fine night for you


much respect for black bears..can have numerous encounters that end well, but ya just never know when you may bump into a nasty one....be safe

Yes you are right you just never know. I laugh every time I see those videos of people getting too close to wild animals. Don't feed the bears, or any other wild animal. I sent a message to an MNR CO and told him the area I was in and where the bear was. Hopefully he wonders back to where he will be safe, and not get into any trouble.

That’s a great adventure.You are lucky to see a bear as they are more secretive than Ontarios other big game animals. That being said it was a good idea to give it lots of space. Glad it worked out.

The back of your car is extremely well organized…..it puts the back of my truck to shame!

I have been very lucky to see quite a few bears in my life, from Ontario to Alberta and British Columbia. Amazing animals, I could and have watched bears for hours. It never gets boring watching the wildlife out there. From birds to Bears, we are lucky to have so much to see in Canada. As for your truck.... I love pickups. I miss my trucks, but no more horses to pull and no more Harley to drag race. Just an average SUV for me now, filled with fishing stuff.

Cool story...amazing what comes out to play at night!...and eat!!

My favourite time to be out on the water, or on the shoreline starts at sunset. The loons start their singing. The animals are always around in the woods, lurking in the shadows. Some of them observe us from a distance, waiting for the absence of light. Then their prominence takes over throughout the evening, as they go about their avocations. The murkiness is filled with crackles and snaps of twigs. A cool breeze with sounds and smells, and sometimes sights of the mysteries of night. This is their time to eat and amuse themselves until sunrise returns them to their slumber. Fishing at night is truly a gift for me.