In all those trips, no bear problems though.
We've never actually had an issue while camping either.
I worry more when we're camped in the BWCA, than in more remote areas. The BWCA requires the use of designated campsites so that every boy scout troop that comes through doesn't clear their own camp, quickly spoiling the area. Since the same sites are used repeatedly over a season, untidy campers eventually attrack scavenger black bears who learn to tear apart tents, climb trees to get to hanging food packs and all that.
When we're up in Quetico, they allow far fewer parties in per entrance point (we hardly ever see another group, even off in the distance) and there are no designated campsites. Scavenger bears don't seem to be a problem.
Funny story from the last trip I made with a buddy from northern Wisconsin....... I drove from Chicago to his place north of Greenbay in the Nicolet National Forest, picked him up and headed to a BWCA outfitter up the north shore of Lake Superior. The outfitter took us and our canoe by power boat into Canada. There we met a float plane that flew us to a lake just outside Quetico (planes aren't allowed to land in Quetico). We entered Quetico via a creek running from that lake.
By flying in, we got to start in a fairly remote area right from the get-go. Had a great time. Good fishing. Fabulous weather for early June. Little rain. No bear incidents although I spent my usual time each evening worrying that every little sound outside the tent was a nuisance bear. As usual, I carried all my bear deterent do-dads at all times.
No bears. Didn't even see one in the distance. Did see wolves, moose and, of course, the usual deer, loons, etc.
When we got back to my buddy's place north of Greenbay, his DW was waiting for us with stories of her big bear adventure. Their golden lab stood up and started growling one evening and went to the door to the attached garage. She let him out thinking there would be a possum or racoon for him to chase. Wrong! The dog found a medium sized black bear that had entered the garage through the main door she'd left open and was tearing apart their garbage cans. Apparently, there was then a lot of barking, growling and scrambling around.
Moral of the story....... Want to avoid bears? Fly in to some remote area and camp. Want to deal with bears? Stay home!
Question..... have you guys used one of those bear proof food containers? They look like a small beer keg. Instead of hanging your canvas food pack in a tree, which can be a real pita to get done, you just tie this food container to a tree and sit it on the ground. The bear supposedly can't get into it and can't carry it away.