Real Bear

Many years ago, we went fishing on the Blackfoot reservation in Montana with a guide named Joe Kipp. It was one of the most incredible fishing experiences we’ve ever had. We used float tubes in a lake that was surrounded by prairie and there was a herd of buffalo grazing on a slope on the bank of the lake. 

During our time with Joe, we asked about the native word for grizzly bear and we’re told that the native word for grizzly bear translated roughly to REAL BEAR. 

Well, we took a float plane trip from Homer, AK across the Cook Inlet to Katmai National Park and had a phenomenal experience with real bears. The  ones we interacted with were actually brown bears. The distinction is that bears that live in coastal areas of Alaska are called brown bears, while typically inland bears that have limited or no access to marine-derived food resources are often smaller and called grizzlies. Both have the same distinctive body shape and characteristics.

The day started out cold, windy and rainy but we patiently waited for a break in the weather and were rewarded with a smooth flight and the opportunity to interact with dozens of Katmai brown bears who were so intent upon eating as many salmon as they could that they barely noticed us. At this time of the year, grizzly bears will eat 20,000 to 30,000 calories a day in order to build enough fat to last through their hibernation period. 

Our group of 8 landed in a lake in Katmai National Park and hiked 5 miles through rocky streams and soft tundra. Most people have seen the photos from a place called Brooks Camp, where the bears congregate at a waterfall and catch salmon as they swim upstream to spawn.

This scene is exciting, but there is a viewing platform at Brooks Camp where people gather to watch the bears feeding. Our experience was 180 degrees different from this. Our encounters were in the bears’ natural habitat doing their day to day things – caring for cubs, teaching cubs how to fish, napping and of course, catching and eating salmon.

This momma bear was so relaxed in our presence that she nursed her 3 cubs while we watched from across the river.

One of our favorite experiences was watching a cub learn how to fish for himself under his mother’s watchful eye. But as you’ll see, it’s much easier for him to try to raid his mother’s catch.

At times, we were so close to a bear that it was a bit disconcerting, but their focus on food was so strong that they just walked by and didn’t give us a second thought.

As long as we remembered that we were guests in the bears’ space, we were relatively safe. They don’t want to eat us, but we need to be mindful of what will trigger a reaction to our presence – never get between a momma and her cubs, don’t frighten a sleeping bear and NEVER bring a tuna fish sandwich in your day pack!

In addition to the specialness of our time among the bears, I have to share some photos of the amazing scenery.

We were so fortunate to have found Emerald Air in Homer to provide this guided expedition. They were fantastic!