Close call

**pop78** · 10-05-2015, 10:25

Was in Algonquin Park this past weekend and learned a valuable lesson. I was having a little trouble finding decent trees to hang from, stupid tents kept blocking access... The site we were on had 2 clearings, separated by about 20 feet of trail. Mind you, this was a wide trail with no game trails leading to or from. It was clearly man made to join the 2 clearings. So I find 2 trees across this path, look up for any possible hazards and hang my stuff. Well at about 1am I'm woken up by some loud stomping and a grunt that sounded like it was right next to my head. Right after that, more stomping and a slide a little up the trail. This is followed by the sound of 2 bodies forcing their way through the trees around my setup.

I tell the story the next morning around the fire and it turns out one of the tenters heard the whole thing too. Once the sun is up enough to see without lights, we walk over to the trail and sure enough there are the tracks for 2 moose leading up to and around my hammock.

So lesson learned: don't hang across ANY trail!

**Bubba** · 10-05-2015, 10:58

That could have been an interesting encounter. You must have appeared big enough for them to go around you.

**gfortune** · 10-05-2015, 12:15

I have a friend that told me a story about pitching a tent in a likely looking spot in the dark. Early that next morning, he learned the likely looking spot was actually a wide spot in a game trail when a deer was suddenly sharing his tent with him. He didn't get hurt thankfully, but learned that same lesson

**LuvmyBonnet** · 10-05-2015, 12:24

Yikes! Sounds like you got real lucky! Moose don't always change their path for obstacles. Not unusual for them to just plow through. Glad you didn't become moose shoes.

**MAD777** · 10-05-2015, 12:35

I've never heard of a moose changing direction. Even bears get out of their way! You must have a hammock guardian angel.

Thanks for passing that lesson along!