Alaska Bear Viewing Trips

I have no specific suggestions (you'll see below that I've never gone on a commercial bear viewing trip), but have some general $0.02.

1) Of course, it depends on the area, but late June is sort of a bad time for bear viewing: after they've emerged from hibernation, but before many of the fish runs that attract the great #'s of bears.

2) One will see many more bears (subject to #1) by a 4-hour flight over bear country than even on a good day at a surface-based location....I can attest to this from personal experience having landed at creeks to look at bears, but also from haveing flown over several locations in the May timeframe when it's easy to see bears emerging from dens when contrasted against the snow

3) All those bears that one sees while flying will be brown shapes with some degree of definition.

So, the Hobson's choice is to go flying and maybe see dozens of bears from a couple hundred feet up or go to Brooks lodge (or similar) and maybe only see a few bears that can readily be seen to be bears.

Just drive to Florida they are EVERYWHERE for the viewing and for being attacked. :(

Watch Alaska State Troupers.
They show about bear watching and fishing.
Might give you some idea what goes on up there.

Consider a train to Denali (from Anch or Fairbanks) then a Tundra tour there - it's all day - don't take the shorter one. Bears galore - grizzlies almost guaranteed.

PA12DRVR wrote:
I have no specific suggestions (you'll see below that I've never gone on a commercial bear viewing trip), but have some general $0.02.

1) Of course, it depends on the area, but late June is sort of a bad time for bear viewing: after they've emerged from hibernation, but before many of the fish runs that attract the great #'s of bears.

2) One will see many more bears (subject to #1) by a 4-hour flight over bear country than even on a good day at a surface-based location....I can attest to this from personal experience having landed at creeks to look at bears, but also from haveing flown over several locations in the May timeframe when it's easy to see bears emerging from dens when contrasted against the snow

3) All those bears that one sees while flying will be brown shapes with some degree of definition.

So, the Hobson's choice is to go flying and maybe see dozens of bears from a couple hundred feet up or go to Brooks lodge (or similar) and maybe only see a few bears that can readily be seen to be bears.

Thanks! Appreciate the first-hand experience!

matt7591 wrote:
Consider a train to Denali (from Anch or Fairbanks) then a Tundra tour there - it's all day - don't take the shorter one. Bears galore - grizzlies almost guaranteed.

Yes, we did this twice before on past trips, most recently in 2011. Both times, the weather wasn't great for views or photos but we did see 10 bears there.

rockhillmanor wrote:
Just drive to Florida they are EVERYWHERE for the viewing and for being attacked. :(

I don't think I can make the Florida run in a week from Cooper Landing :B

Besides I have black bears in my back yard at home...more interested in their larger cousins!

If you are floating the Kenai on your fishing adventure you may see bears on the bank. I would also vote for the Denali trip since you will be up north, lots of other cool animals to see there.

http://www.alaska.org/things-to-do/bear-viewing

Here is a site that lists a number of bear tours in Alaska. Rust's Flying Service, located on Lake Hood is the only one I have dealt with in the past, but not for bear viewing.

While you are in Cooper Landing spend some time downriver from the Russian, especially around the Guardrail Hole (It will be obvious). Anywhere on the Kenai from the Russian to Jim's Landing just onto the Skilak road will work. Talk to the guides about any sightings. Check the fishing section of Alaska Outdoors Supersite forum pages. Walk the Russian to the falls and back on the trail.

The issue will be timing. You are barely going to hit the first run of reds, so there is little reason for the bears to congregate for fishing.

Talk to the folks you have arrangements with. You may want to reverse your trip and do the Kenai and bears thing later in the year, like late July when the fish are there. Timing is everything.

The Cassiar Hwy is usually good for bears. We see quite a few along the road in late April and early May on the Alaska Hwy. Denali is usually good for bears on the bus trips.
Terry