How Close Is Too Close?

irst off, there is no guaranteed answer to the question, “How close is too close?” Especially when it comes to wildlife viewing in Alaska's bear country. Experts and agencies with reputations and liabilities to think about usually take the Denali National Park guideline of on quarter mile to be safe. The “recommended” in Yellowstone, and Canadian parks is 100 yards. Wildlife photographers in Alaska, even those with long telephoto lenses… witness these photos… have a reputation for approaching even closer.

I feel the question needed to be asked is “why do you want to know?” If looking to fill a zoom photo frame with a grizzly’s eyeball, go to a zoo. If doing a macho Hemmingway thing … as running with the bulls… go to Spain.

If, however, you want to close the distance between seeing, and being… wildlife viewing for the thrill of connecting to mother earth… you need to recognize that “brother bear” has a dignity that should not be violated.

I, a long time ago, delegated bears …. in the Indian fashion… to be my spirit animal. Part of it has to do with my name, Barry. Part because I enjoy the thought of a bear wondering over the countryside as a symbol (much like the canary in a coal mine) that we haven't totally destroyed our world…. yet.

At our cabin at Bowser Creek, in the heart of the Alaska Range, west of Denali, I have black bears visiting every so often sneak a peek through my window of the strange creature on display. They have been doing so for 25 years, without breaking the glass in their curiosity. The windows are shuttered whenever I am not in residence, for they surely would go after my food cache …not understanding property rights, etc.

I love flying out to the cabin (120 air miles in a bush plane) to visit a land more exciting than any novel or movie. I have been doing so since the summer of 1968, and have yet to have a unhappy experience wildlife viewing.

My closest encounters with blacks were: One morning a noise on the porch of my cabin woke me. Thinking it was some ground squirrels violating my sleep, I rushed out, ‘buck naked,’ to tell them what I thought of their manners. Instead it was a bear … looking sideways as they do (staring down is a threat), just wanting to know what all that wood was doing, stacked neatly until she had started climbing on same. Well sir, I picked up a block of firewood and let it fly. The missile sailed clean past my target. Missed by a good 30 feet. And of course, the bear went chasing it, just as she was a K9 retriever.

Another time my son and I were on a taiga traverse (no trail) of 60 miles with heavy packs. Once the load was lifted onto our backs and we were moving, the best strategy was to plow though brush with a slow but steady pace. Despite singing, whistling, pack bells, and occasionally shouting my stock bear-country phrase… “Make way, lady with a baby!” … we ran smack into a black as scared as we. Now I happen to think that in a situation as this, the atmosphere of fear creates more fear. Just as dogs and horses react to people being afraid of them, bears …who really are gentle Ben’s… will raise to the occasion. Being so loaded down I couldn't run, and the nearest climbable tree 50 miles away, and in surprise, I reacted by instinctively kicking out to connect with the most black bears most vulnerable spot. His nose. Boy did I feel bad afterward. I have never heard such squealing in my life as that 300-pound baby ran off to try and find his mother.
I have mentioned dogs in comparison with black bears, and there is a yardstick here. If you are the type person that dogs indistinctly hate, stay out of bear country. Another comparison. Of the two species of bears visitors to Alaska might encounter (polar bears a really remote) the black has more “incidents’ on his record than grizzlies. However, it is the Alaskan sled dog, perhaps running loose, fending for themselves in the summertime, that is something to be feared. Here are some statistics from the State of Alaska: “From 1900-1985, only 20 people have died in bear attacks in Alaska. From 1975-1985, 19 people in Alaska were killed by dogs”.

Most of those statistics above were for blacks. The larger grizzly has a reputation for ferocity not deserved. Forget about campfire tales and Hollywood movies about ursa horribiles, there is only one proven incident of a brown-toklat-grizzley stalking and killing man. I know of several hunter incidents that could be construed as stalking, but usually these actions are self-defense, or protection of a cub (would you go to extremes if your child was threatened?).

My “closest encounter” with a ‘griz’ was topping out on a barren lichen covered wilderness hill, and running smack dab into a 1,000 pounder, with hump on his back. We both were so surprised that neither moved for what seemed many minutes. He stood up on his hinds, 10 foot tall, to take a better look (a good sign, as his ears weren't flattened to his head in an agitated manner. I think I said, “ Well, hi!” and with that he turned to drop to all fours and run away. I have to say it was the most beautiful ‘living’ sight I have ever seen in my whole life. His loose pelt flowed in waves as the strong muscles drove him away, down across a creek, and up again over another hill …. faster than a horse can run. My son … a know-it-all college student at the time…estimated his speed to be 35 miles per hour.

Anyhow, where is this all leading to? Well, you know the rules (yes?) that a “fed bear is a dead bear,” (i.e.: food and garbage control) and that when hiking/camping in bear habitat make human noise so as not to startle each other, and that coming between mother and cub is plain stupid. Forget about running, or being lucky enough to climbing a tree in time (if one is available).

What I feel is most important when in close proximity with a bear is to do exactly what they do … access the attitude! In a situation where the bear actually looks at you … instead of sort of ignoring you to the side… then you need to decide if he is on the defense or just curious.

A defensive bear is a stressed bear. You have entered its personal space and the bear perceives you as a threat.

A bear that deliberately approaches you, showing little or no stress is not acting defensively. These bears are curious, human habituated, food conditioned, asserting dominance or possibly predatory. It is important for you to decide what the situation really is. Look for signs as ears, breathing, other “body language,” just as you would access an encounter with a street person after dark on a lonely city street.

If bear is moving toward you, sort of swaying side to side, cautiously try to increase your distance keeping your eye on the bear. Do not turn totally away… keep a side view contact yourself. Usually the bear will calm down as you retreat.


Remain as calm as possible yourself, and talk to the bear in a firm voice. Assess the situation. Try to move well away from the bears path or trail; that may be all it wants you to do. Watch the bear. If it follows with its attention directed at you... STOP! Stand your ground!

If a defensive bear charges... do not run! This is an extremely difficult thing to do, as it is a terrifying experience... but know that physical contact is rare. Most charges stop short. It is sort of a bluff on the bear’s part.

Try to appear non-threatening. This may calm the bear as well as yourself. I think “chemistry”… the odor, or vibes; we give off have something to do with how the scenario unfolds. Do not shout or throw anything at this time. It may provoke an attack.

If a defensive attack actually happens, fall to the ground... at the last moment possible. Lay on your stomach with your legs spread slightly apart. Lock your fingers behind your head. This position will protect your face and neck. Bears often focus defensive attacks on a person's face if unprotected. If the bear flips you over, continue rolling until once again your stomach and vital organs are protected against the ground. If you've kept your pack on it may provide some protection for your back and neck. Do not struggle or cry out.

Typically, a defensive bear will stop attacking once it thinks you are no longer a threat. When the attack stops, remain still. Wait for the bear to leave. If you start moving before the bear is gone, it may resume the attack. If an attack is prolonged or the bear starts eating you, it is no longer being defensive. You must now fight back with all you've got! Your life depends on it. Remember that the nose is sensitive.

A bear that deliberately approaches you, showing little or no stress is not acting defensively. If a black, they could be acting in a predatory manner. If you have moved well out of the bears territorial space, and he follows, then how you react is different: in this situation you need to be defensive yourself.

Let the aggressive bear know you will fight if attacked. The more the bear persists, the more aggressive your response should be. Shout at the bear. Stare it in the eye. Challenge it. Make yourself look as big as possible. Stamp your feet as you take a step or two toward the bear. Move slowly uphill of it. Stand on a log or a rock.

This is the time to use your deterrent. Threaten the bear with whatever is at hand. Most bears stop short of attack, but they may approach very close.

If you can't deter the bear and it attacks, FIGHT! Kick, punch or hit the bear with whatever weapon is available. Concentrate your attack on the face, eyes and nose. Fight any bear that attacks you in your building or tent. He is a bully and deserves what he gets.

If all of this sounds that I have a need to cuddle wild teddy bears, you are wrong. I respect bears for what they are. Don't want to change them. How they like me photographing them, just fine. I do think there are more similarities in how humans and bears react than most researchers will admit. So, take a lesson from life. If a guy seems a crank-a-dank grouch, who doesn't want his picture taken, then back off. That answer the question?

If you really want to have something to worry about viewing wildlife in Alaska, never, ever, get between a mad mother moose and her calf. But, that is a whole different story in itself. Perhaps in an article to come here at Alaska Vacation Webazine

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