For your safety and comfort, keep the following points in mind:
It is easy to get lost in some of these large peatlands and woods. By just looking at Google Earth, one might think that it’s an easy walk through the forest to a wetland or lake until you get in there and don’t know which way to walk back to the road. Travel with a buddy, carry and use a compass and use a GPS unit that doesn’t rely on cell phone coverage to get you back. You need to have a plan with coordinates from your car to a location you want to get to. You can't rely on your cell phone in most of these areas if you get lost.
Most peatlands in the North Woods are completely safe to walk on by just wet wading. The only habitat you may have to watch your step around would be at an open bog pool. The edge is basically made up of Sphagnum and sedges and will go down as you get close to the edge of the open water. Otherwise, the other peatlands are about knee deep and have a relatively solid bottom.
The patterned peatlands have more of a hummocky landscape that consists of pools of water with a Sphagnum build-up around the pools. These habitats can be a bit treacherous as you have to navigate around the pools and downed tamarack/black spruce trees.
Insects can be bad anywhere. Hats, long sleeves and head nets are recommended. Repellents such as DEET, picaridin and permethrin are also a good idea.
In habitats with running water, the black flies can be pretty bad. Head nets are highly recommended with a long-sleeve shirt.
Mosquitoes in the bog, especially in the evening, can also be a problem. Bring some form of spray repellent – head net and long-sleeves.
Horse flies/deer flies can be bad, but they are usually more of a problem on the road when parking at a site. They are attracted to the CO2 emissions of your vehicle and can be quite annoying when getting your gear ready. They are not affected by any kind of repellents and tend to attack the highest point on your body. A hat is highly recommended and some people actually stick something to the top of their hat to distract the flies from getting in their face. Again head nets, a hat, and long-sleeves can help protect you from the assault.
If the bugs are really bad, wearing hip boots can help. This protects your legs from bugs, whereas wet pants allow bugs to bite through your pants. Knee high rubber boots will work for some lake habitats or boarders of wetlands, but will not work for bogs or peatland habitats as the water will be too deep.
This is bear and wolf country but you probably won't see them. You will probably see the tracks of these animals but sightings are rare. They are good at avoiding people and attacks are very rare. Still, we recommend that you do not venture out on your own – have a buddy or at least someone who knows where you’re going and when you’ll return. If you are really cautious, you can buy bear spray (really powerful pepper spray) at numerous places on the North Shore. You can't bring this because airlines do not allow it on flights.
Getting lost in some of these large peatlands and woods should be a real concern. By just looking at Google Earth, one might think that it’s an easy walk through the forest to a wetland or lake until you get in there and don’t know which way to walk back to the road. Again, travel with a buddy and use a GPS unit that doesn’t rely on cell phone coverage to get you back. You need to have a plan with coordinates from your car to a location you want to get to.