Originally Posted by avatarworf
Question for all you "stealthers" -- were you uneasy at all when you first started? On the first leg of our RTW bike tour, we started stealth camping about half way through. We spent 4 nights hidden away, but even though I was reasonably happy that we were hidden from most people's view, I was still uneasy and didn't get a good night's sleep. I was hyper-aware of every sound and whenever the wind moved something or an animal maybe came near the tent I was wide awake analysing every scratch and rustle to see if it might be a mass murderer approaching us or a pack of hungry wolves. Ha! Crazy, I know, but there you are. Does it get any easier? Should I just sleep with earplugs?
Yes, when you first start stealth camping every sound wakes you. After a while you get used to the regular noises and only tune to the unusual. Animals are usually not a bother because they are creatures of habit. Bears and racoons for instance have their usual places to forage. Campsites are great places for them, but you are tied up between some trees well away from any food or water source so there is really no reason for them to be there. What peterpan1 says is really true. Don't cook at your site and only bivy between sundown and sunup and there are really no reason for anyone to be there.
I always camp well away from roads because they can deliver unexpected visitors, but they rarely venture far into the forest. The only times I have been 'found' is when I don't follow the rules. Camp near a house; their dog will find you. Try a setup when anyone is around and you won't sleep for fear they are coming back. Do it right; sleep tight.