This incident happened in the summer 1997 when I was in Alaska (more exactly in Katmal National Park and Preserve, Brooks River). My travel mate Geir had already taken a big salmon fish. He went proudly away to the camp for cleaning and storing his fish to avoid bear attacks.
In the mean time I stood alone on the shore, pulling a big fish for almost 20 minutes. I nearly dragged it on the shore when I heard someone screamed at me. It made me aware that I had got unexpected company. I realise then that I have to give up my fish, and think about my own life. So I tried to keep my mind clear, thinking of all the good advises I got from the rangers earlier.
Photo: A brown bear stretching his body.
I looked fast for a knife for cutting the line, but I couldn't spend more time on this. So I threw away my fishing pole and moved quickly away. I didn't exactly run, but it was not far from it. The ranger talked intensively in the walkie-talkie when I reached her. We both moved further up a trail into the forest. On the way I met my travel mate wondering about what was going on. He became really shocked after I told him about the bears.
I lost my big fish, a real Sockeye salmon, but the most important: I kept my life instead. After the brown bears had gone I returned to my favourite fishing spot, still little bit anxious to encounter some more big bears. But no one emerged. I found my fishing pole and started to fish again.
The day after we left Brooks River we read in local newspapers that the National Park Service had put half of the mile-long Brooks River off-limit to tourists. After a series of incidents in which hungry bears swiped salmon from fishermen it was necessary to set restrictions to the area. A national spokesman said that low water and salmon shortage apparently had driven the bears to some bold moves.
When the water is low the bears tend to ball up in a smaller area and make a dash for the fish. Four times at one day bears approached fishermen or campers to steal salmon. A sow (mother) with cubs (child) took tree fish in the grass next to a cabin. The same bears came back later in the day again looking for fish. By the waterfalls we also saw the bears were fighting about the same fish. Some of the bears had wounds, probably after fighting.
Photos below: Several brown bears fishing at the waterfalls in Brooks River.
Later on we were more conscious that it was safer to identify ourselves. It does not meant that we showed our driving license, passport or other personal formal documentation, but it was better to announce our presence than surprising and provoking the bears. So we had a routine; clapping and singing the famous football song "here we go, here we go....", and so on.
One day we joined a tough pensioned Colonel from USA for a trip to the waterfalls.We had to walk through the forest. On our way we met a sow bear with her cubs on the path. She came straight towards us. The pensioned Colonel tried convincely to makes us more relaxed: don't be worry, it only it you once.
My friend and I wouldn't cross her way for a million, so we hurried to find another path. But the grand old man just stands there, cold and relaxed, talking, singing, clapping and waving at the bears. He reversed little bit, but he didn't hurry as much as we did. After a while the bears moved away from us, and we could start breathing again.
Five tips (taken from a leaflet I got at Brooks River)
- When fishing, move away as bears approach, especially if you have a fish on your line. If you keep a fish, you must immediately take it to the fish cleaning building.
- Do not let bears get your food, garbage or gear. Food is not allowed along Brooks River or the Naknek Lake Beach within ½ mile of the river. Keep packs and gear on your person.
- Be alert at all times. Make noise, especially where visibility is limited. This will let bears know your are approaching.
- Do not approach or remain within 100 yards (metres) of a sow with young or group of bears. These are minimum!
- Never run! Speak to the bear in a firm but calm voice. Wave your arms slowly or clap your hands. Retreat slowly. Always give bears the right-of-way.
- These are the vital tips you should bear in mind if you plan to go to Alaska, especially not if you are going in to the mentioned area. So far I know has no one ever been seriously hurt by a bear on this river, although a few visitors have been scratched.
You should be more careful with black bears; they are smaller but more aggressive than brown bears. Alaska is full of natural beauty with mountains, valleys, glaciers and rivers like Brooks River. Everything is big in Alaska except its populations.
Only 550,000 inhabitants lives in Alaska (maybe there are so few because of the bears?), and almost half of them live in one city, Anchorage. It is so much colourful and untouched nature. The grandeur of what you see, will stun you.
Stein Morten Lund, 5 July 2000
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