The question as to whether the Alaska brown bear is dangerous has been settled in my own mind. It depends upon the individual bear. We camped at the un-dynamited falls a mile up stream on Seal Bay, but no bears came to fish. We packed on up, taking in addition to provisions a light rubber boat or air-raft which weighed eleven pounds and could be carried in a pack sack. This was one of the handiest pieces of equipment we had, for with this we explored five different lakes higher in the mountains. We saw where bears had been catching and eating salmon, but they had gone farther back in the mountains for salmon berries, luscious fruit that was now ripe and abundant.
Returning to the mouth of the river, we found fresh tracks of an old mother bear and her cubs, and were in high hopes of getting some photographs, when suddenly four natives or Aleuts appeared on the beach, walking up the opposite side near the river's mouth. They had come into Seal Bay to seine for salmon, and now toward evening were intent on bagging a bear. Each carried a rifle. They advanced slowly with guns ready for action.
One of the Aleuts along the river spied us walking in the tall grass, threw up his gun and took aim. I expected to hear the bang of the gun and the whiz of the bullet, but we didn't look exactly bear-like so he lowered his gun. Saying nothing, we walked down toward the river and sat in the grass about a hundred yards away. The Aleuts got together for a powwow, all standing on a little knoll watching the edge of the woods some little distance up the slope. We had all been waiting quietly for about fifteen minutes when off at the edge of the woods above the Aleuts came the unmistakable bawl of a bear cub. Each of the natives faced that direction with guns ready for action.
We tried to wade the stream, but it was too deep. Then another wail from the cub, came from some bushes across the river. One of the Aleuts ran down to the riverbank where he could see if the bear came on down out of the bushes. Just then a cub weighing about thirty pounds appeared, and, not seeing the Aleut, started on up the beach. The hunter jumped to get a better view and was aiming to shoot when I leaped to my feet with a loud yell. "Don't kill him! He's a pet!" and the force and volume of my voice were as of one speaking with authority, for the native lowered his gun and the others looked surprised. The cub sat down in the grass and looked around to see where the noise came from. He really acted like a tame cub, for then he ambled along through the grass as if hunting for amusement. Soon he disappeared into the bushes again.
About this Author
David is the author of many articles including Best Friend Quotes and also the author of Best life quotes
other articles:
FBI agent requirements
Cruise line employment
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=David_Bunch
