Black Bears of Anan

One of the things I did in Alaska was take a float plane trip to Anan Creek for bear viewing.

This really wasn't a meet and greet. The bears are there for salmon. The people are there to see bears.

Since it is on forest service land, it is very controlled which is probably best for all involved. Absolutely, no food past the landing point. It gets put in a locker for when you return. Water is allowed on the trail. This keeps the bears from associating people with food.

You get a briefing about good behavior with bears and are sent up the trail. The trail is easy walking being a board walk most of the way. It is about a 30 minute walk to the viewing area. My little group had a guide. Which is nice, you find out about such things as:
- The bears are picky about their salmon. Some only eat female salmon, tossing the males back.
- The bears often only eat the heads and stomachs leaving the rest for the scavengers.
- If a brown bear shows up the black bears slip back into the woods.
- The bears fish at rapids because it is hard for the fish to maneuver and avoid them.
- Cubs stay with their mom for two years.
- The two year olds are curious and often try to figure out what people are.
- Bears like to trap tourists in the outhouse by the viewing platform which amuses the other tourists.
- Bears have really bad eyesight but a fantastic sense of smell.
- If you walk as a group, bears perceive you as one big animal.

There was a blind below the viewing platform which visitors and sign up for a 30 minute time slot. This lets people get closer and take even more pictures.