we are currently in anchorage and deciding whether to go to Valdez or not. The rain has been a big factor (i know we're in alaska, but 2 weeks of steady rain is a bit tough). we are photographers and hoping to get some bear photos. In past trips, we were fortunate to see them in valdez. has anyone recently been there? are the bears around?also, how are the bears in Haines? How about Hyder?is there anywhere else (besides denali) that we should go to for bears? we won't be going to katmai or lake clark. looking for someplace to drive to.thanks,suefacebook.com/stoppingtheshutter

The best time to photograph bears is during the salmon runs. There's so many at these rivers it almost unbelievable.

On the Kenai around Cooper Landing along Russian river during salmon run.(grizzlies)Stuart-Hyder highway west of Cassiar if coming back that way(black bears)

We saw grizzlies last year in Valdez. Also on Kenai Pen. between Seward and Cooper Landing. And Haines, Hyder, along the Cassiar Highway...Definitely check out where the salmon are running - that's where they will be. Check out Skilak Lake Road near Sterling (Kenai Wildlife Refuge). DH almost stepped on a grizzly cub at an overlook there...

Week before last there was one black bear that showed up at the hatchery on Anchor Point in Valdez a couple of evenings between 7 and 10pm. Not every day and not on any kind of schedule.I would call the ranger Station at Hyder to check on what is going on there.We had more luck in Denali this year than anywhere else.If you are just wanting bear pics the one place where you can drive and you are guaranteed to get them would be the Alaskan Wildlife Conservation Center on the Seward Highway about a mile before the Whittier turn off. They have black and brown bears, caribou, bison, musk ox, lynx, and a three legged porcupine, plus a lot of other critters too! Good luck and hope you get lots of good pics!

Hi Dom and Sue,We ran across you guys in 2014. If I remember we helped change out that 5th wheel hitch in Haines.Just jogging your memory but their should be a salmon run coming up. It was there the last week in August in 2014 and we a few bears then. If I remember one was called "Speedy".Good luck and safe journeys'.

where are the bears? | Good Sam Community

notlost
Explorer
Aug 23, 2016
Ernest wrote:
Hi Dom and Sue,
We ran across you guys in 2014. If I remember we helped change out that 5th wheel hitch in Haines.
Just jogging your memory but their should be a salmon run coming up. It was there the last week in August in 2014 and we a few bears then. If I remember one was called "Speedy".

Good luck and safe journeys'.

Hi ernest,
yes, we do remember you! we still are friends with Lee and Donna (in the 5th wheel)! are yoiu in alaska this year? if so, where. we are in valdez now (8/22) and there is little to no bear activity. planning on going to hyder, but not expecting to see any bears there, from what i have heard. it will probably be too late in the season.
thanks for reaching out and saying hi..i'll tell lee also!
notlost
Explorer
Aug 23, 2016
thanks, applegator...have there been more bears or just this family?
glad you got to see her!
Ernest
Explorer
Aug 23, 2016
notlost wrote:
Hi ernest,
yes, we do remember you! we still are friends with Lee and Donna (in the 5th wheel)! are yoiu in alaska this year? if so, where. we are in valdez now (8/22) and there is little to no bear activity. planning on going to hyder, but not expecting to see any bears there, from what i have heard. it will probably be too late in the season.
thanks for reaching out and saying hi..i'll tell lee also!

We couldn't do Alaska this year to many wedding this summer. Next year we have plans to spend 3 months do in the South West so 2019 might be our next trip back.

Stay safe and on the short side of that long lens if you see any bears.
AKsilvereagle
Explorer II
Aug 23, 2016
applegater wrote:
We are in Haines, just watched this evening a Sow Grizz and two cubs feeding at the fish wier on the Chilkoot.

Might be the same ones that I seen last year Sept. 2015 along Chilkoot River-Lake as I stayed at the campground for three nights.

Sow had a green tag in left ear and yellow tag in the right ear.

Seen quite a bit of bear activity along Southeast Alaska in the Haines and Dyea area, as well as throughout Southern Yukon Territory last year.
fishhogg
Explorer
Aug 23, 2016
When we floated the Kenai river last week, the Bears we saw smelled like cayenne pepper and Booboo made the sound of bells when he walked!
rubycreekted
Explorer
Aug 28, 2016
In 2012 about this same time or a week earlier we watched a sow and cub at the same location. Also saw bears where the Chilkoot entered the bay and by the bridge just up from there between the bay and the weir just cruising along the river bank looking for a salmon.

Ted
applegater wrote:
We are in Haines, just watched this evening a Sow Grizz and two cubs feeding at the fish wier on the Chilkoot.

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