Still about bear defences, but this time on Hudson Bay, north of Churchill. In 1997, Kathleen and I paddled the Seal River in Northern Manitoba, down to Hudson Bay.
We spent our first night near the mouth of the Seal River in this small cabin where canoeists are usually picked up to be taken by barge to Churchill. The cabin was built to provide safety from Polar Bears. This one casually strolled by as we were enjoying morning tea down by the water.
But we paddled 6 km (4 miles north) to the Seal River Lodge, as encouraged by the owner, who promised to fly us to Churchill. But when we arrived, the lodge had not opened up, so we moved inside the fence. Only problem was that we had to walk about one km (0.5 miles) to the nearest fresh water. You can see the lodge in the far background on the right.
Every time, over four days, we were followed by at least one Polar Bear.
Bear thinking about getting us by going over the fence.
Maybe under the fence is easer.
If the bear gained entry, my plan was to climb up the stairs to the lookout platform. If he came up, we felt confident with the bear spray and the .308. Perhaps foolishly confident.
But the bear finally grew bored with the game, and wandered off into the ebbing tide.