Part I introduces you to bears and bear viewing. Chapters 1-2 review the different kinds of bears and where they live. Chapter 3 introduces factors governing viewer safety, and how risk differs among bear species, viewing styles and viewing sites. Chapter 4 helps you define your viewing goals exactly enough to select an ideal viewing opportunity.
Part II helps you identify those viewing sites best suited to your needs and opportunities. Chapter 5 explains factors to consider in selecting a viewing site. Chapter 6 maps and describes over 60 of the most popular bear viewing sites in Alaska and other parts of North America. This includes a chart providing feature-by-feature comparison of sites -- which bear activities can be seen at each site, how close can you get to the bears, how many bears are you likely to see, which periods each year are bears best viewed, etc.
Part III suggests ways of making the most of your trip. Chapters 7-8 advise you on selecting a viewing guide, transportation and lodging. Chapter 9 identifies essential equipment and supplies. Chapter 10 describes basic techniques for minimizing personal risk and disturbance to the wildlife.
Preface: TIPS FOR A GREAT ADVENTURE
PART I: GETTING STARTED
Chapter 1. WHO’S WHO IN THE BEAR WORLD?
Chapter 2. WHAT KIND OF BEAR IS THAT?
Chapter 3: HOW SAFE IS CLOSE VIEWING?
Chapter 4: WHAT KINDS OF EXPERIENCE DO I WANT?
PART II: FINDING VIEWABLE BEARS
Chapter 5: HOW TO SELECT A VIEWING SITE
Viewing from a vehicle
Viewing from an observatory
Viewing from the ground
Timing
SIDEBAR: Clamming
Scenery Opportunities
Government regulations
Chapter 6: VIEWING LOCATIONS
Polar Bears
Grizzly Bears
Brown and Black Bears
Coastal Alaska
Cook Inlet
Katmai National Park and the Eastern coast of the Alaska Peninsula
Bristol Bay and the Western coast of the Alaska Peninsula
Kodiak Island
Kenai Peninsula and Gulf of Alaska
Southeast Alaska
Coastal British Columbia
Interior of Southern Canada and the Contiguous U.S.
Rocky Mountains
Minnesota
Eastern provinces and states
Siberia
PART III: MAKING THE MOST OF YOUR TRIP
Chapter 7: CHOOSING A GUIDE
Chapter 8: TRAVEL TIPS
Hiking
Overnighting
Chapter 9. ESSENTIAL EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES
Clothing
Bear-resistant food containers
Photography
Chapter 10. MINIMIZING RISK AND IMPACT
Reading and Mimicking Bear Etiquette
Recognizing Aggression
Appeasement signals directed towards a person
Surviving an attack
SIDEBAR: What kind of pepper spray should I use?
Chapter 11. CONCLUSION
Book Contents