It's that time of year again, time to go hunting in Alaska! While there are many people in the state who choose not to hunt for their own reasons, the majority of Alaskans anxiously await this time of year to be able to harvest the most delicious wild game in the world. Moose, deer, caribou, bison... the list goes on and on. We have a bounty of natural resources available to us throughout the last frontier, but bringing home the bacon doesn't always come easy - or without a fight. In fact, every year, many people experience bear encounters in Alaska.
As you'll see in the heart-pounding video featured below, going into the raw and rugged areas of Alaska that are off the beaten path is fiercely dangerous. You have to be very knowledgeable of your surroundings, prepared for Alaska's unpredictable elements and prepared for just about anything. Because if you aren't properly equipped, the result of your negligence could literally be a life or death situation.
If you've never been deep into the Alaskan wilderness, be smart and consult with a local Fish & Game office in your area before going anywhere. Take a back-country education class or if you're going hunting, consider hiring an experienced and reputable guide. Because in a place where the bears outnumber the humans, being on your toes is key to survival. Every outdoor adventure in Alaska should be approached with a good dose of caution for our local wildlife!
If you're searching for an unforgettable adventure in a nature sanctuary in Alaska, look no further than the Pack Creek Brown Bear Viewing Area. Nestled in the pristine wilderness of Admiralty Island, this wildlife sanctuary offers a unique opportunity to observe majestic brown bears in their natural habitat. From the lush greenery to the captivating wildlife, a trip to Pack Creek is sure to be a highlight of your Alaskan journey.
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Pack Creek Brown Bear Viewing Area is a haven for wildlife enthusiasts and nature lovers.
This protected area provides a safe and natural environment for the bears. Managed by the U.S. Forest Service and the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Pack Creek is dedicated to preserving the delicate balance of its ecosystem while offering a glimpse into the wild beauty of Alaska.
To access this incredible nature sanctuary in Alaska, you'll need to plan ahead.
A permit is required, which can be obtained through the U.S. Forest Service. Most visitors choose to take a guided tour departing from Juneau. Visitors can only access the sanctuary on a guided trip or by applying for a permit, which is available between June 1st and September 10th. The journey involves a 30-minute scenic floatplane ride that offers breathtaking views of the surrounding landscapes. Once you arrive at the sanctuary, a short hike through lush forest trails brings you to the viewing area.
The Pack Creek Bear Viewing Area is within a federally designated wilderness area, which means development is minimal to preserve its natural state.
There are no facilities on site. Visitors have two main options for bear viewing: you can either stroll along the beach to the viewing spot or take a one-mile hike to an observation tower that offers an elevated perspective of the bears below.
The main attraction at Pack Creek is, of course, the brown bears.
During the peak viewing season, which runs from late June to early September, you can expect to see plenty of bears fishing for salmon in the creek or roaming the meadows. It's a photographer's paradise, with lots of opportunities to capture these magnificent creatures up close while maintaining a safe and respectful distance.
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Incredibly, over 95 percent of visitors to Pack Creek successfully spot at least one bear.
The peak viewing period is from July to August, coinciding with the pink and chum salmon runs in Pack Creek. During this time, visitors often enjoy close-up views of five or more bears throughout the day, with the possibility of seeing multiple bears simultaneously. The optimal times for bear viewing are during the morning and evening hours.
In addition to brown bears, visitors to Pack Creek might also spot Sitka black-tailed deer in the old-growth spruce and hemlock forests surrounding the area.
Other wildlife sightings can include river otters, minks, martens, and harbor seals, with occasional appearances of orcas and humpback whales offshore. Admiralty Island boasts the highest concentration of nesting bald eagles in the world, often seen feeding on spawning salmon at Pack Creek. The area is part of the Stan Price State Wildlife Sanctuary, named after an Alaskan woodsman who lived in the area on a float house for almost 40 years. This sanctuary, which has been closed to hunting since the mid-1930s, ensures the preservation of this unique and vibrant ecosystem.
Admiralty Island, known as "Kootznoowoo" or "Fortress of the Bears" by the native Tlingít people, is home to approximately 1,500 brown bears—more than all the Lower 48 states combined.
At Pack Creek, you can observe these magnificent creatures in their natural habitat. Whether you're a photographer, a wildlife enthusiast, or simply looking for a tranquil escape, Pack Creek provides an experience that showcases the wild beauty of Alaska.
Have you ever visited this nature sanctuary in Alaska? What do you think? Let us know in the comments below! Looking for another incredible wildlife sanctuary? We’re huge fans of the McNeil River State Game Sanctuary.
Need some new gear for your next Alaskan adventure? We love the options at REI.
There are plenty of things in Alaska that will stop and make you look at least twice, but recently some of our residents stumbled upon a sight that not many of us have ever seen. It's not unusual to see a moose in Alaska, but this situation was a little different. Out in the Western region of our state, a moment in Mother Nature that you'll only ever see here in The Last Frontier was frozen in time.
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Resident Brad Webster found something unbelievable frozen within ice, very near one of Alaska's villages. It was not one but two moose frozen in Unalakleet.
Middle school teacher Brad Webster came across something odd while taking a walk near the Covenant Bible Camp in Unalakleet, where he volunteers. At first glance, Webster thought he was seeing was a moose that had been shot. Then he realized there was more going on here.
After taking in the sight, Webster realized that what he was actually seeing was two moose that were locked together in the ice.
Many of our residents who have now seen the pictures of the frozen animals believe that the two were most likely fighting over a female moose. During this time of year Alaska's moose tend to be more aggressive than usual, with mating season taking place during the fall. Webster and others have speculated that one of the moose in battle may have been injured and died after locking antlers with the other animal, leaving both fighters frozen in time. It's tragic to think of those two animals experiencing such pain. It must have been terrifying to wait while the ice creeps up, not able to save yourself.
Shortly after Webster discovered the animals, resident Jeff Erickson captured these images.
Jeff Erickson, an employee of the Bering Strait School District in Unalakleet, cleared through eight inches of ice that was covering open water to get to the animals. After capturing these unforgettable images, Erickson took the heads of the moose to clean out. The Alaska resident plans to mount the skulls at the bible camp once their cleaned up so that this moment can be forever remembered.
This unique scenario was discovered in 2016, but Alaska has all kinds of unusual happenings. Who knows what locals may have uncovered since then.
Have you ever seen anything like these two frozen moose in Alaska? Let us know in the comments below. We love hearing your firsthand accounts of unique happenings in these beautiful places.
