Alaska-Brown Bear Viewing
Aug 10th, 2003, 07:36 AM
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If you check my posts here on this board you will get some ideas where and when to go. But the best place is Katmai National Park where you fly for a day trip from Homer. Check this website www.emeraldairservice.com
Even if you won't use this company you will fine some terrific information on their website. This July we took fifth trip with them.
IMHO I think the best time is the end of July and August.
Even if you won't use this company you will fine some terrific information on their website. This July we took fifth trip with them.
IMHO I think the best time is the end of July and August.
Aug 10th, 2003, 05:23 PM
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Wildflower. Thanks for info. I did a search,didn't come up with much under your screen name and bear viewing. But the info you provided is some of the things I'm thinking about.
For best brown bear viewing do you try to catch the salmon run in July? fly from Anchorage (Rust's?) or Homer (Emerald or Bald Mountain?)? try Brooks Falls or more remote viewing? All feedback is appreciated. Thanks.
For best brown bear viewing do you try to catch the salmon run in July? fly from Anchorage (Rust's?) or Homer (Emerald or Bald Mountain?)? try Brooks Falls or more remote viewing? All feedback is appreciated. Thanks.
Aug 11th, 2003, 06:27 AM
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I too highly recommend the above for salmon brown bears- but not for a day trip- allow at least 1 overnight so you can view more than one time. It is very costly and adding days is less so. The best of the best bargains for brown nonsalmon eaters is Denali Park, for less than $30pp get on the shuttle bus to Eielson- about 8 hours.
Aug 11th, 2003, 06:06 PM
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Watching bears when they catch salmon is incredible. The best time for bear watching in Katmai National Park would be the end of July and August. The best option, IMHO, would be flying from Homer. Emerald Air Service we used every year delivers unforgettable viewing. We used them five times and are already thinking about next year. I cannot comment on Bald Mountain, except they charge more if you want to use your credit card. Emerald Air has 16 years of experience and this is their main and only business.
If you have a chance to see The Bears movie playing in some Imax theaters the owners (pilot and guide) are in it. You can go to www.nwf.org/ And find out schedule. But there are more places to see the Bears that are not listed on the National Wildlife Federation?s website. Go to http://www.bigmoviezone.com/txshows/...arch_box=BEARS
I also learned there will be opening of this movie in October somewhere in Columbus, OH and the Emerald Air Service?s guide will be there as she is in that movie. This movie is a great fun for kids. I remember on our first bear watching trip a few years back there was also a little boy, I think he was 7, and it was such pleasure to see his reaction. Before trip was over he asked his grandparents when they will be returning. Bear watching trips are not only fun but great education for adults and kids.
If your family of four includes kids there is a lot to do in Homer besides bear watching trips. For example, Center for Alaskan Coastal Studies leads natural history tours across Katchemak Bay. Check this one
www.akcoastalstudies.org
Denali delivers completely different experience
If you have a chance to see The Bears movie playing in some Imax theaters the owners (pilot and guide) are in it. You can go to www.nwf.org/ And find out schedule. But there are more places to see the Bears that are not listed on the National Wildlife Federation?s website. Go to http://www.bigmoviezone.com/txshows/...arch_box=BEARS
I also learned there will be opening of this movie in October somewhere in Columbus, OH and the Emerald Air Service?s guide will be there as she is in that movie. This movie is a great fun for kids. I remember on our first bear watching trip a few years back there was also a little boy, I think he was 7, and it was such pleasure to see his reaction. Before trip was over he asked his grandparents when they will be returning. Bear watching trips are not only fun but great education for adults and kids.
If your family of four includes kids there is a lot to do in Homer besides bear watching trips. For example, Center for Alaskan Coastal Studies leads natural history tours across Katchemak Bay. Check this one
www.akcoastalstudies.org
Denali delivers completely different experience
Aug 11th, 2003, 06:18 PM
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One more time
http://www.nwf.org/productions/bears...atreguide.html
http://www.nwf.org/productions/bears...atreguide.html
Aug 12th, 2003, 01:56 AM
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I copied this from my previous post regarding our first bear watching trip
Here is what we wrote in our journal about our first bear watching trip in 2001. We returned for bear watching in 2002 and 2003. Please keep in mind that this is not a trip report. This is our personal journal.
Then came the most exciting day of the whole trip. Emerald Air Service flew us it a float plane to a 900 ft. Lake in the Katmai National Park. There were 9 of us, the pilot, and the guide/naturalist. They had been in an IMAX film about bears. We had a dry landing and walked across the tundra to a bluff about 50 yards from the joining of the Kenai and Moraine Rivers. We had seen more than 20 bears in that river on the flight in and we were walking right to them. We watched from that vantage point and took some long lens shots, then moved down to the bank of the river to where the bears had trampled down a bunch of the tall grass and willow bushes.
By now we could recognize the bears that Chris and Ken had named: Scarface, Grandpa, Betty, Tom Thumb and, yes, they do have personalities and different looks. As Scarface would walk up or down the stream, the other bears would move slowly and reluctantly out of the way while others quickly disappeared into the willow bushes. Grandpa waited patiently while Scarface fished and when Scarface moved away, Grandpa moved in. We were within 20 yard of Scarface and he never paid any attention to us.
The bears fish by standing in the stream and as the fish move up the river to spawn, they pick out a fish and jump into the water, ducking their head under water and trying to catch the fish in their mouths. It is hard to see whether they use their claws during the catch. But if they catch one, they hold the fish in their mouths until they wade ashore, put the fish on a rock or rocks and hold it with their claws while they strip the meat away by pulling it off the fish, they seem to eat the bones because we could hear the crushing of the bones as they eat fish. When the bear is done, the birds get the remains.
The bear cubs are poor fishermen. They wade into the water like mama bear but they don?t seem to get the idea of putting their heads under water to catch the fish with their mouth. After a while, I felt like putting on a wetsuit and showing them how. Mama bear does teach them how to fight for fish, she makes the cubs fight her for the fish she catches for them. Cubs stay with the mother for three years before they go off for themselves.
The most exciting bear watching event was watching a mama bear and three cubs. The four of them crossed the river on our extreme right. Mama bear continued on down the river and the three cubs got up on the bank and started walking down the path that our group was on. Ken told us to be very quiet and back off the path so the cubs could get by, which we did. Mama continued in the water about 50 yards below us on our left. Meanwhile the cubs came down the path to about 15 or 20 feet from us and stopped. They had seen us and they crouch in the willow shrubs. Every once in a while one would stand upon his or her hind feet and peer at us over the willows, then a little later another one would stick a head up and smell. Then two together would stand up. Meanwhile mama walked ashore and disappeared into the shrub. We caught a glimpse of her hurrying along about twenty yards in back of us hurrying to her cubs. They all joined up and followed mama across the river and disappeared into the shrub on the other side.
Those six hours in the field of bear watching were the most exciting and interesting experience we have had in our last seven years of vacations and that includes our safari in Kenya and two-week long trip in Galapagos Islands. Even flying back to Homer was exciting and unique. Ken flew the plane around Mount Augustine, a volcano that was letting off a little bit of steam but last erupted in March 1986. More great photo opportunities.
Here is what we wrote in our journal about our first bear watching trip in 2001. We returned for bear watching in 2002 and 2003. Please keep in mind that this is not a trip report. This is our personal journal.
Then came the most exciting day of the whole trip. Emerald Air Service flew us it a float plane to a 900 ft. Lake in the Katmai National Park. There were 9 of us, the pilot, and the guide/naturalist. They had been in an IMAX film about bears. We had a dry landing and walked across the tundra to a bluff about 50 yards from the joining of the Kenai and Moraine Rivers. We had seen more than 20 bears in that river on the flight in and we were walking right to them. We watched from that vantage point and took some long lens shots, then moved down to the bank of the river to where the bears had trampled down a bunch of the tall grass and willow bushes.
By now we could recognize the bears that Chris and Ken had named: Scarface, Grandpa, Betty, Tom Thumb and, yes, they do have personalities and different looks. As Scarface would walk up or down the stream, the other bears would move slowly and reluctantly out of the way while others quickly disappeared into the willow bushes. Grandpa waited patiently while Scarface fished and when Scarface moved away, Grandpa moved in. We were within 20 yard of Scarface and he never paid any attention to us.
The bears fish by standing in the stream and as the fish move up the river to spawn, they pick out a fish and jump into the water, ducking their head under water and trying to catch the fish in their mouths. It is hard to see whether they use their claws during the catch. But if they catch one, they hold the fish in their mouths until they wade ashore, put the fish on a rock or rocks and hold it with their claws while they strip the meat away by pulling it off the fish, they seem to eat the bones because we could hear the crushing of the bones as they eat fish. When the bear is done, the birds get the remains.
The bear cubs are poor fishermen. They wade into the water like mama bear but they don?t seem to get the idea of putting their heads under water to catch the fish with their mouth. After a while, I felt like putting on a wetsuit and showing them how. Mama bear does teach them how to fight for fish, she makes the cubs fight her for the fish she catches for them. Cubs stay with the mother for three years before they go off for themselves.
The most exciting bear watching event was watching a mama bear and three cubs. The four of them crossed the river on our extreme right. Mama bear continued on down the river and the three cubs got up on the bank and started walking down the path that our group was on. Ken told us to be very quiet and back off the path so the cubs could get by, which we did. Mama continued in the water about 50 yards below us on our left. Meanwhile the cubs came down the path to about 15 or 20 feet from us and stopped. They had seen us and they crouch in the willow shrubs. Every once in a while one would stand upon his or her hind feet and peer at us over the willows, then a little later another one would stick a head up and smell. Then two together would stand up. Meanwhile mama walked ashore and disappeared into the shrub. We caught a glimpse of her hurrying along about twenty yards in back of us hurrying to her cubs. They all joined up and followed mama across the river and disappeared into the shrub on the other side.
Those six hours in the field of bear watching were the most exciting and interesting experience we have had in our last seven years of vacations and that includes our safari in Kenya and two-week long trip in Galapagos Islands. Even flying back to Homer was exciting and unique. Ken flew the plane around Mount Augustine, a volcano that was letting off a little bit of steam but last erupted in March 1986. More great photo opportunities.
Aug 12th, 2003, 10:25 AM
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Wildflower,Thank you for your posts. Lots of good info. I hope our future experiences are similar to yours as outlined in your journal.
We have been to Seward, didn't make it to Homer this year, but plans are to use it as one of our bases next year - bear viewing, hjalibut fishing, etc.
Any experiences with bearviewing in early-mid July? My son (12) has a desire to run in the Mt. Marathon race in Seward next year and that falls on July 4.
We have been to Seward, didn't make it to Homer this year, but plans are to use it as one of our bases next year - bear viewing, hjalibut fishing, etc.
Any experiences with bearviewing in early-mid July? My son (12) has a desire to run in the Mt. Marathon race in Seward next year and that falls on July 4.
Aug 13th, 2003, 06:39 AM
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This year we went bear watching July 17 or 18. It was a fabulous trip. I don't have any personal experience with bear watching in the beginning of July. My suggestion is to e-mail Chris of Emerald Air Service) in the end of September and ask all the questions you will have. I know that she calls back those who request information. As I mentioned before even if you won't use this company you will get all information you need.
I suggested e-mailing in the end of September because until then they should be in the field every day if the weather cooperates. You may, of course, call the office but I don't know if a person who is there has any personal experience with bear watching. Meanwhile, did you check their website? There is lots of beneficial information and great photos too. Here is e-mail for EAS
[email protected]
I suggested e-mailing in the end of September because until then they should be in the field every day if the weather cooperates. You may, of course, call the office but I don't know if a person who is there has any personal experience with bear watching. Meanwhile, did you check their website? There is lots of beneficial information and great photos too. Here is e-mail for EAS
[email protected]
Aug 14th, 2003, 02:26 AM
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Maybe they are nice people but with Rust's you go to the Brook's where you stand on the platform watching bears sometimes with hundred or more people for no more than three hours if you are lucky
There are some complaints about service. ithttp://www.complaints.com/august2002/complaintoftheday.august15.1.htm
There are some complaints about service. ithttp://www.complaints.com/august2002/complaintoftheday.august15.1.htm
Aug 14th, 2003, 03:23 AM
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This complaint should be adressing other issues. It should have been inquired - how many passengers are on the boats and actual viewing time. The complaint seems to feel that the children ruined the trip for them- how can the vender have control over the kids- it was the parent's responsibility. They also somehow feel that since other's were staying at the lodge- they somehow should have been given preference for tours???? If this was their desire- they should have arranged a private tour. But if no bathroom was on the boat- then certainly this should have been disclosed at the start of the trip for everyone given the opportunity to use the lodge bathroom. They did see bears even with going nonpeak season. It is the travel mates it seems most at issue and time viewing that they did not verify beforehand.
Aug 14th, 2003, 06:47 AM
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I read the complaint before my trip and felt most of it unwarranted. As BudgetQueen said, anytime you take a tour, you take the risk being with other people you may not like.
Yeah, we flew to Brooks and stayed mostly on the platform. We stayed close to 3 hours before it gets crowded and we had to leave. However, there were 2 bear families (3/4 cubs) and several other bears right at the landing beach and we probably could easily spend the whole afternoon watching if we did not get much time at the platform.
You are right that they only do day trip.
Yeah, we flew to Brooks and stayed mostly on the platform. We stayed close to 3 hours before it gets crowded and we had to leave. However, there were 2 bear families (3/4 cubs) and several other bears right at the landing beach and we probably could easily spend the whole afternoon watching if we did not get much time at the platform.
You are right that they only do day trip.
Aug 14th, 2003, 11:17 AM
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I agree with BudgetQueen that it should have been inquired BEFORE a trip what was included, how many people, how long and many other questions. I think that as more of us become independent travelers we have responsibilty to educate ourselves and in this case a complainer should ask and then ask again. I don't get it. She did not ask how many people were going to be in her group?
Before our first bear watching trip we researched a number of companies in Homer and Emerald Air Service delivers what we were looking for. We decided to go with them and every year we returned for unforgettable trips that are always different regarding bears but there are no surprises with logistic of every trip we took.
Before our first bear watching trip we researched a number of companies in Homer and Emerald Air Service delivers what we were looking for. We decided to go with them and every year we returned for unforgettable trips that are always different regarding bears but there are no surprises with logistic of every trip we took.
Aug 15th, 2003, 02:10 PM
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This is exactly why this particula r thread was started.
So besides some of the obvious questions which were raised in some of the earlier posts/complaint site: how many people involved in a tour? are there any stopovers? do additional people join a tour upon arrival at a stopover? how long the tour will last? what is the travel time? how long will you observe bears? are the places planned for bear viewing remote or do you expect other parties (i.e. other bear viewing companies, fisherman, etc) to be in the immediate area? what is the cost? What are some of the other questions that should be asked of a tour operator in this field?
Wildflower, I do truly appreciate your insight, your links and your positive feedback regarding experiences with Emerald Air.
Is Brooks Falls overrated versus some of the other bear viewing venues these operators take you to?
So besides some of the obvious questions which were raised in some of the earlier posts/complaint site: how many people involved in a tour? are there any stopovers? do additional people join a tour upon arrival at a stopover? how long the tour will last? what is the travel time? how long will you observe bears? are the places planned for bear viewing remote or do you expect other parties (i.e. other bear viewing companies, fisherman, etc) to be in the immediate area? what is the cost? What are some of the other questions that should be asked of a tour operator in this field?
Wildflower, I do truly appreciate your insight, your links and your positive feedback regarding experiences with Emerald Air.
Is Brooks Falls overrated versus some of the other bear viewing venues these operators take you to?
Aug 16th, 2003, 04:08 AM
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You are welcome, Family of Four. Bear watching is such unforgettable experience. Every time we go it is an addtional pleasure to see how excited the first-timers are. As you already know we took five trips with Emerald Air Service and we did not see even one person who did not enjoy this trip.
I don't think that Brooks Falls is overrated. I never been there but it must be a good place to watch bears. It really depends whether you would like to see these animals in their natural setting in the wilderness when no other people are around or you don't mind to be surronded by many people and where most of the time you have to wait in line for you turn to get to the platform. For us there was only one choice. To see bears as far as possible from any groups. Twice there were 2-3 fishermen in the stream. They are dropped off by a float plane.
These are good questions you are planning on asking. I would add some. What experience your guide has? How many years she/he is guiding bear watching trip? Does she/he stay with you during this trip or is a ranger taking over once you get there? How many bears are you expecting to see at that time when you are planning to take your trip? I wouldn't even think about going on this expensive trip if there are 5 bears around. Where we go bears are all over the place. last time we saw around 70. (my husband and I couldn't agree 72 or 75). Sometimes it is hard to decide which ones to observe.
Also ask about a pilot. His/her experience. How many years? how many hours? Does she/he own a plane? Is she/he also a guide? It is a wonderful thing to have two guides. Do they charge the same amount for credit card as for cash? Do they give full refund? I bet you will think about many other questions rearding bear watching with children.
Ask if they provide hip boots.
I don't think that Brooks Falls is overrated. I never been there but it must be a good place to watch bears. It really depends whether you would like to see these animals in their natural setting in the wilderness when no other people are around or you don't mind to be surronded by many people and where most of the time you have to wait in line for you turn to get to the platform. For us there was only one choice. To see bears as far as possible from any groups. Twice there were 2-3 fishermen in the stream. They are dropped off by a float plane.
These are good questions you are planning on asking. I would add some. What experience your guide has? How many years she/he is guiding bear watching trip? Does she/he stay with you during this trip or is a ranger taking over once you get there? How many bears are you expecting to see at that time when you are planning to take your trip? I wouldn't even think about going on this expensive trip if there are 5 bears around. Where we go bears are all over the place. last time we saw around 70. (my husband and I couldn't agree 72 or 75). Sometimes it is hard to decide which ones to observe.
Also ask about a pilot. His/her experience. How many years? how many hours? Does she/he own a plane? Is she/he also a guide? It is a wonderful thing to have two guides. Do they charge the same amount for credit card as for cash? Do they give full refund? I bet you will think about many other questions rearding bear watching with children.
Ask if they provide hip boots.
Aug 19th, 2003, 08:34 PM
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My opinion is that Brooks and McNeil are over-rated. Not that you won't see bears...you surely will. But, you will see the same bears doing the same thing that thousands have already seen and photographed.
There is a very popular "picture" of a bear standing on a rock atop the falls. Mouth agape, and fish jumps in. This is not one picture. It is several pictures (maybe hundreds) of the same bear fishing the same way year after year after year.
What many people fail to recognize is that Alaska is loaded with bears. They don't just occur in these sanctuaries that man established. As if the bears care about our boundaries.
I could float you down a river during ANYTIME from late May through the end of September and assure you that we'd see bears fishing. Moreover, you'd see bears that are not nearly so photographed so you might actually return home with some new images as opposed to the same ole same ole.
That's my HO.
There is a very popular "picture" of a bear standing on a rock atop the falls. Mouth agape, and fish jumps in. This is not one picture. It is several pictures (maybe hundreds) of the same bear fishing the same way year after year after year.
What many people fail to recognize is that Alaska is loaded with bears. They don't just occur in these sanctuaries that man established. As if the bears care about our boundaries.
I could float you down a river during ANYTIME from late May through the end of September and assure you that we'd see bears fishing. Moreover, you'd see bears that are not nearly so photographed so you might actually return home with some new images as opposed to the same ole same ole.
That's my HO.
Aug 20th, 2003, 06:32 AM
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I went to Brooks Fall and enjoyed every minute. I did not see fish jumping into bear's mouth. Either I am unlucky or it is actually rare as people staying in the cabins said they did not see it during their stay either. I don't think you can really predict what you will see there. We saw bears fighting for spot, eating fish right in front of the platform, and many other interesting things that make everyone on the platform laugh. Besides, the fall makes the backdrop so much better.
I also saw many bears at Denali. But I really doubt you can get that close to the bear (10 feet from the platform) any where else. Beside, there are many bears away from the fall/platform. Near the bridge, along the beach, even right at the picnic area. Bears came with 30 feet at the picnic area and the only thing the ranger did was talking to him: "Keep going", and he did. Try that somewhere else. At the beach, 2 bear families played there the entire time during our stay. You can just sit and watch them less than 100 yards away. The cubs were so cute.
If you have not been on bear viewing trip before, Brooks Fall is a good choice. The only thing that could ruin your trip is bad weather cancelling your flight.
I also saw many bears at Denali. But I really doubt you can get that close to the bear (10 feet from the platform) any where else. Beside, there are many bears away from the fall/platform. Near the bridge, along the beach, even right at the picnic area. Bears came with 30 feet at the picnic area and the only thing the ranger did was talking to him: "Keep going", and he did. Try that somewhere else. At the beach, 2 bear families played there the entire time during our stay. You can just sit and watch them less than 100 yards away. The cubs were so cute.
If you have not been on bear viewing trip before, Brooks Fall is a good choice. The only thing that could ruin your trip is bad weather cancelling your flight.
