Black Bear Encounter on Our Remote Island – Our Dog Chases a Huge Bear Up a Tree! – S3 Ep26

Living on a remote island in the Canadian wilderness brings surprises — but nothing prepared us for this black bear encounter! Our dog Opal was barking ferociously and when we ran to check, we discovered she had chased a huge *Black Bear* 🐻 up a tree only a few meters from our tiny cabin.

🐾 *We Thought Our Remote Wilderness Island Was Bear-Free… We Were WRONG! *🐻 So much for “No Bears on OUR Island!” For years, we believed our little slice of paradise was bear-free. But this week, everything changed! A bear encounter shakes up our peaceful island life when Opal alerts us to something in the tree… and sure enough, a big bear is watching us — just meters from the cabin!😱

Table of Contents

• Table of Contents
• Moses in the reeds
• Building our 2nd “Shed-Room” — guest sheds and off-grid homesteading
• There is something about this lake — canoeing, fishing, and FishingAdventure
• A long-awaited reunion — family visits and making the island ready
• What’s gotten into Opal? — the bear encounter and WildlifeOnOurIsland
• The three head back to Bird Island — restoring infrastructure and planning ahead with RemoteWildernessIsland priorities

Moses in the reeds

We set out the day with simple plans: pick Saskatoon berries, try a few jam recipes, and take a maiden trip in a new canoe. The lake was glassy and calm while we idly talked about trees, apple and plum spots, and where to plant grapes. As we paddled, the reed beds were alive — ducks, hidden life, and that marvelous quiet that only an island can offer.

The calm of the reeds is part of why we fell in love with this place. It’s a big reason we build an off-grid homestead: the freedom to fish, forage, and teach our kids how to live with nature. We joke about not giving up on catching a trout — “you can’t give up until you’ve fed your family” — but the real joy is being out there together. Along the way we mention plans for _SaskatoonBerryJam_, and dream aloud about whipping cream and berries for a cozy evening.

Building our 2nd “Shed-Room” — guest sheds and off-grid homesteading

Back at shore, construction was underway. Our second guest “shed-room” is going up — a compact, sturdy space designed to survive winter and host visitors. When fully outfitted these little cabins will have a bed, lighting, a tiny workspace, and even Wi‑Fi so family can stay connected while enjoying island life.

Working with Farace is one of those homesteading pleasures: she anticipates needs and moves in sync with the tasks at hand. We’ve learned that building useful, simple structures is as much about teamwork as it is about measurements. These “shed-rooms” will be proper guest quarters for when family comes to visit — and we can’t wait to welcome them.

There is something about this lake — canoeing, fishing, and FishingAdventure

Out on the lake we cast lines from a canoe — no motor noise to scare the fish. We talked to the lake, sang silly fisherman’s songs, and admired our new rods (we’re endlessly grateful for small, sparkly lures). Even without landing a trout, those moments on the water are restorative; as we put it, “There’s something about this lake, this island, this life that is so peaceful and healing.”

We pause to appreciate the simple details — reeds, birds, Opal’s antics — all ingredients of a proper OffGridFamilyLife. When the wind picked up we secured the canoe and called it a day, but not before dreaming about fresh fish fried up for dinner and more berry picking to make that promised jam.

A long-awaited reunion — family visits and making the island ready

Preparing the island for family felt meaningful. We now have enough infrastructure to host visitors — places to stay, a barge for transport, and a little more comfort to share this life. Saying goodbye at the barge felt bittersweet: leaving part of our hearts on the island while heading off to pick up our son from the ferry and plane.

We want our kids to know this land. We hope they’ll return to build cabins of their own someday. The work we do now — burying lines, adding a solar array, and finishing the guest sheds — isn’t just for us; it’s for the family memories that will follow. We’re building a place for future gatherings and the modest freedom that comes with living a homesteading life.

What’s gotten into Opal? — the Black bear encounter and WildlifeOnOurIsland

Early one morning Opal started barking in a way we’d never heard — urgent, continuous, an alarm. When we went to check we saw branches moving and then the shock: a BIG black bear in a tree just meters from the tiny cabin! I didn’t have much for defenses, but I gathered what I could… lol.

We’ve always assumed our little island was mainly home to small mammals, birds, and a few surprises. This bear visit changed that assumption. It was sizeable, not happy to be discovered, and apparently had been feasting on Saskatoon berries — exactly where our berry pickers recently were. We were grateful Opal raised the alarm before anyone accidentally surprised the animal. After giving the bear space, we backed off and let it move on.

The three head back to Bird Island — restoring infrastructure and planning ahead with RemoteWildernessIsland priorities

After the excitement we refocused on improvements: burying high-voltage lines to make the path to the greenhouse safe, adding inverter connections, and finishing the solar array. Those small details matter — they keep life comfortable and make hosting easier. It’s all part of creating a resilient off-grid homestead that family and friends can enjoy safely.

We also reflect on safety and coexistence with wildlife. Seeing a bear this close forces us to revisit store food protocols, trash management, and visitor briefings. We’ll tighten procedures and keep teaching respect for the wild inhabitants of our island. And despite the scare, there’s no denying the wonder of living here.

Where to find our tools, favorite gear, and follow along

We often get asked about gear and resources we use. A few places we share our favorite tools and supplies are listed on our site and storefronts. On our website you can check out our curated favorites and our Amazon store. For regular updates, follow us on social media — Facebook and Instagram.

Final thoughts

Our island life is unpredictable — that’s part of the appeal. We came for quiet mornings on a glassy lake and berry picking; we stayed for the community that forms around shared work and evenings by the tiny cabin. Encounters like the bear visiting the tree remind us to respect the land and its wild residents so we can keep this lifestyle safe and sustainable for both family and wildlife.

We’ll be back on the water, finishing shed-rooms, and perfecting our _SaskatoonBerryJam_. And next time we go berry picking, we’ll bring a little more caution — and a lot of gratitude that Opal had our back.

Hashtags derived from video tags: #RemoteWildernessIsland #BearEncounter #OffGridFamilyLife #WildlifeOnOurIsland #FishingAdventure #SaskatoonBerryJam #MyWildHolm