Sitting on a 5-gallon bucket in Geographic Bay on the Katmai coast. I’m watching the bears as they take salmon from the river. And yes, they do get that close. But I am neither salmon nor bear, so they are not interested in me.
Replies
Until they are. Don't let what happened to Timothy Treadwell happen to you. Stay safe
aug 23, 2025, 6:21 am • 1 0 • view
Timothy Treadwell was a troubled individual. He was a nascent content creator. He was pursuing his vision recklessly. We were observing well-tested protocol, guarded by a guide and (while that clip was filmed) two park rangers. The Katmai bears are fat and happy this year. No human interactions.
aug 23, 2025, 7:07 am • 2 0 • view
FWIW, I would not want to be that close to a Yellowstone or Glacier brown bear. Katmai bears got so many salmonberries this year, they were slow to get to the rivers, which are loaded with salmon. A bear baby boom is expected.
aug 23, 2025, 7:12 am • 1 0 • view
He died sleeping in his tent at the wrong time of year.
aug 23, 2025, 6:30 am • 0 0 • view
The Revenant has grossly misled me so
aug 23, 2025, 6:42 am • 1 0 • view
They could become very interested in you if they don't find any salmon.
aug 24, 2025, 12:57 am • 1 0 • view
Maybe. Large groups of seated humans on the Katmai coast have an extraordinarily good track record over the years. And the salmon were plentiful. As were the salmonberries earlier in the season. Locals are been shocked by how fat the bears are in August. Fat Bear Week will be special this year.
aug 24, 2025, 1:09 am • 0 0 • view
Sounds good. It just didn't seem like the bear was having any luck in the video. Not sure how close I'd want to be to a hangry bear.
aug 24, 2025, 1:12 am • 2 0 • view
They can be clumsy for a stretch, but eventually they pounce on one. The salmon are virtually stationary. Skilled ones just mow down one fish after another in a search and destroy pattern.
aug 24, 2025, 1:19 am • 0 0 • view
But watch out for those seagulls!
aug 23, 2025, 2:20 pm • 1 0 • view