Russian River Bears, 2022

July 24, 2022. Hike from Russian River campground to the falls viewing area with daughter Jadyn Burnett and Max and Connie Best. We were there about 10 minutes and walked down to the river to get a closer look at the jumping salmon. 3 minutes later, a momma bear walks out of the woods followed by her 3 cubs. She caught and ate 5 salmon in about 10 minutes. The first one she caught and ate, away from the cubs in an area they couldn't get to. The second one she brought to them and shared it. The third one, she ate alone again off in the corner, the 4th one she shared again, and the last one she took with her up the hill...the cubs followed. There were about 7 people there, and when the bears showed up, everybody did the EXACT perfect thing. They stopped moving, squatted down and were motionless. The whole encounter lasted about 10 minutes. Wow. Wow. Wow. I don't think we couldn't have found and paid the most experienced, seasoned guid to show up something like this. I have been on fly in bear viewing trips before...and this impromptu encounter blew them away. We will NEVER forget it. Thanks Alaska. We love you.

Side note: These cubs were born in Jan or Feb at less than 1 lb each. They are now about 6 months old. They will hibernate with momma this winter and learn to fish for themselves NEXT summer. In the fall, at about 17months old, momma bear will find a male bear and chase away the cubs.