Carrion of large hoofstock (ungulates) is most abundant during the spring following a harsh winter. Road-killed animals that reach the road margin before collapsing may be buried by the next passing snowplow, and remain there until spring thaw. Ungulates that die of starvation may most common in “winter yards” such as groves of willow (for moose) or of conifers (for deer). Whether an ungulate simply dies or is killed by an auto or by predators, its partly eaten carcass may freeze too hard to be chew. Once buried in deep snow, a frozen carcass might persist until spring thaw. That fate is especially common for avalance victims – perhaps sheep, goats, or caribou.  Spring is also a time when winter-killed marine mammals, such as whales or sea lions, most commonly wash ashore, especially on ocean headlands.  Summertime carrion is usually the remains of a wolf kill or an occasional dead sea animal deposited by the high tide. During fall, most carrion is the remains of animals wounded but lost by hunters, or gut piles left when game is killed.  

 

    Although carrion draws bears, be extremely cautious about stationing yourself near carrion in order to view bears.  The ones you are watching may not be the only bears attracted to the site; others might approach from behind you. Given that bears are most likely to approach from downwind of carrion – which will smell a lot better to bears then it does to bear-viewers – you might try to remain upwind. Anyone who, like my friend Mark Meheney, stumbles on a carrion-defending bear, risks being mauled. Grizzlies can be particularly aggressive towards intruders.

 

    The plants most attractive to bears during spring tend to be those richest in easily digestible starch or protein, but low in fiber and toxins. Starchy plants include Indian Potato and other species with large tubers, corms, bulbs, or roots. Protein-rich plants are usually succulent herbs or sedge-grasses found in wetlands.   Sugar-rich fruit is usually most abundant during late summer and fall. Oil-rich nuts are also available mainly during fall.

 

    Ideally, don’t try viewing bears once they enter into their final phase of gorging on food, in preparation for hibernation – e.g., after 1 October. That’s when bears are most sensitive to disturbance – least tolerant of it and most impacted by it. Sticking around too long, into early October, may have contributed to the death of Tim Treadwell and his fiance.

 

    Availability of salmon is highly seasonal.  Different species of salmon ascend rivers at different times between May and November–usually starting with Sockeyes (red) and Chinook (kings), followed by Chums (dogs) and Humpies (pinks), and finally by Coho (silvers).  

 

    The timing of salmon runs depends both upon when salmon arrive off shore at the mouth of any stream, and upon when that stream has deep enough water for the fish to swim upstream.

 

    Far enough inland that tidal level has no influence, stream depth tends to be greatest during periods of heavy rain or during hot weather that melts snow and ice off mountains. To learn where both salmon and bears are most readily viewed during any given week of the summer, consult the BVA website or ask each guide or tour company you are considering.

 

 

 

    Close to the sea, timing of salmon runs also varies according to tidal cycle, in part because of its effect on water depth in the streams. Some salmon swim upstream mainly on a rising high tide, while they can ride the seawater flow upstream, and while the water is deep enough for the fish to avoid being trapped in shallows.

 

 

    Anytime you view along the coast, make sure a falling tide doesn’t strand your boat or airplane; and make sure a rising tide doesn’t wash away your boat or trap you against a cliff or on an island.  Tidal level can rise or fall 6 inches (15 cm) in 15 minutes -- which isn’t much if you are on a steep beach.  However, if you are on a tidal flat, that much rise in tidal level can move the water’s edge inward a few hundred yards.  

 

    Even after years of dealing with Alaska’s tides, even people sometimes get fooled.  In August 2006, friends of mine  broke camp and started carrying gear towards a skiff that was waiting to ferry them to the boat Kittiwake (Katmai Coastal Tours).  The skiff was a few hundred yards (m) beyond the water’s edge, which itself was over 400 yards (m) from the beach.  On their firt trip, they carried gear about half-way to the water’s edge, then went back for a second load.  They expected to still have a hundred yards (m) or so to carry things beyond where the first load was piled.  However, by the time they returned with the second load, no more than 20 minutes later, the first load was starting to float away.