A Close Encounter
On one unforgettable day, I stood just 20 feet away from a slumbering mama bear. As she awoke, stretching and shaking off sleep, her cub soon followed. Moments like these are a reminder of how close you can get to nature in Katmai, where the bears are so accustomed to human presence that they barely acknowledge it.
The thick vegetation surrounding the rivers is perfect for a bear den. While photographing a large male, fishing for salmon, I heard my guide call to me ‘Kevin, walk to me slowly’. I ALWAYS listen to my guides and in this case, it definitely kept me out of trouble! After I rejoined the group I looked back and saw how close I was to this mama and her cub. Big rush … but, I was able to get some great shots of this young mother. She was small and only had a single cub so I’m guessing she is about 3-4 years old.
When cubs are in their first year, they can ‘hitch a ride’ on mama’s back. However, it was this cub’s turn to cross the river on her own. She cried most of the way! The river current can be pretty strong …
Here are some great tips from the Rangers in the Katmai Wilderness National Park.
Approaching a bear or any large mammal within 50 yards is prohibited.
Continuing to occupy a position within 50 yards of a bear using a concentrated food source (including, but not limited to, animal carcasses, spawning salmon and other feeding areas);
Continuing to fish within 50 yards of a bear;
Feeding, touching, teasing, or disturbing wildlife.
Bear viewing best practices
Respect a bear’s personal space.
Stay in a group when wildlife watching in the backcountry.
Consistently use the same viewing sites.
Promote predictable human behavior.
Avoid surprising bears – Don’t run, and make noise when hiking
Be calm – Speak to bears in a calm voice, and wave your arms slowly above your head
Back away slowly – If a bear approaches, back away slowly until it resumes normal activities
