Bear Safety Tips for Alaskan Wildlife Adventures

If you're spending time with us at Pybus Point Lodge, one of numerous activities you might be taking part in is our incredible Alaskan wildlife tours. These intimate tours allow you to get a look at some of the most amazing wildlife in the entire world, from humpback whales to numerous land animals -- including all three species of North American bear.

Bears are majestic, powerful creatures that occupy nearly every corner of Alaska, and treating them with respect and caution is vital for any wildlife tour where you may be encountering them, even from a distance. While our wildlife tour guides will be sure to give you several important safety recommendations before your excursion begins, here are some basic pieces of information on Alaskan bears and the proper safety themes to be keeping in mind in any situation where you may encounter them.

Species of Bear in Alaska

As we touched on above, Alaska is home to all three species of bears found in North America: Black bears, grizzly bears, and polar bears. Here's a brief primer on each:

• Black bears: Black bears are the smallest and most common type of bear in Alaska, found in wooded areas throughout the state. They typically weigh between 150-250 pounds, and while they can be aggressive when threatened, they are not typically known to be as dangerous as grizzlies or polar bears.
• Grizzly bears: Grizzly bears are the largest type of bear in Alaska, and are found in the Interior and Southcentral regions of the state. Grizzlies can weigh up to 800 pounds and are known for their aggressive behavior when threatened.
• Polar bears: Polar bears are found only in the Arctic region of Alaska, and are among the largest types of bear in the world. They typically weigh between 600-1,500 pounds and are known for their extremely aggressive behavior when threatened.

While encounters with black bears and grizzly bears are common, it's important to remember that you're in the home territory of the polar bear when venturing into areas north of the Arctic Circle. While you're not likely to come into contact with a polar bear, it's vital that you keep an extremely low profile just in case.

Hibernating Bears

One important aspect of Alaskan wildlife tours is learning about hibernation patterns for each species of animal. In the wintertime, bears retreat from common areas and seek shelter in dens to "hibernate" until the warmer months arrive. This hibernation period is essential for them: if they remained active through the cold winter months, their bodies would begin to break down and fail due to lack of sustenance (typically fat reserves).

It's this hibernation process that presents a primary hazard when viewing Alaskan bears. You may be in an area where bears are hibernating and not know it, as many dens are well-concealed and not easily detectable. If you're in an area with known bear dens and see or hear signs of animals coming out of hibernation (e.g., movement, scratching around den entrances), it's important to keep your distance and leave the area.

Hibernating animals are typically not active, but they can be startled awake, which will cause them to become defensive. Even if you're hundreds of feet away, a startled bear could decide that you look like a threat or an encroachment on their territory -- and that's when things have the potential to turn dangerous.

General Bear Awareness

No matter which part of Alaska you're in, there are some general bear awareness tactics to keep in mind if you're out in the wild. These include:

• Be aware of your surroundings: This includes knowing where bear dens are, being aware of what types of vegetation and trees attract bears (e.g., berries, berry bushes), and limiting noise so you don't startle any animals that may be close by.
• Avoid areas with fresh scat: Bears often mark their territory by leaving piles of scat, which is a telltale sign you're in an area they frequent. While your wildlife tour guide will generally keep you away from these areas, be careful if you leave the lodge on your own for any reason.
• Be cautious when travelling near waterways: Bears are often drawn to water sources, as they can be a source of food (e.g., salmon) and a place to cool down on hot days.
• Never approach a bear: As we mentioned before, bears can be extremely dangerous when threatened. If you happen to see one nearby, do not approach it and do not do anything that may startle it. If you have a camera or binoculars, keep them pointed at the bear and use them to maintain a safe distance.
• Never feed a bear, even from afar: Even if you think leaving food for a bear near one of their common areas might be nice, it's actually extremely dangerous for you and the bear. Bears that are fed by humans become habituated, meaning their behavior will change (and not in a good way). They become conditioned to wait for human "handouts" rather than seeking out natural sources of food -- which can lead them into dangerous situations around humans or at campsites.

Importance of Relying on Our Guides

As we noted above, our wildlife tour guides are experienced in every part of the ecosystem, including the most common locations for bears and how to avoid any risks while enjoying the area. It's important that you lean on our professional staff when it comes to overall bear safety, especially if you're looking to leave the lodge for any kind of unguided tour.

While our guides will always do their best to keep you safe, it's important that you follow all of their bear safety tips as well. This includes keeping a respectful distance from any animals, not approaching them for photos or other reasons, and never feeding them.

For more on bear safety while in Alaska, or to learn about any of our Alaska all-inclusive vacations, wildlife tours, guided fishing trips or other activities, speak to the staff at Pybus Point Lodge today.