Day 7: The Bear 'Hunt' Adventure:
A Kamchatka Tale
It’s Day Seven on the Kamchatka Peninsula, and every single day, I’ve been on high alert. Whether driving, hiking, or horseback riding, my eyes have been scanning the horizon for a glimpse of at least one of Kamchatka’s most famous residents: the brown bear.
Now, spotting a bear here isn’t exactly rare — they’re known to wander along highways and even pop into towns for a surprise visit. But in seven days, I could only call myself an expert in bear traces. Yup, I’ve seen their paw prints, claw marks, and yes, even their poop — everywhere. Fresh and old. But no bears.
This morning, Oksana decided to change the game. She woke us up at dawn with a gleam in her eye, promising a little “hunt” to boost our chances. Armed with to-go coffee and excitement buzzing through our veins, we jumped into her trusty blue FJ Cruiser, eyes peeled and ready.
On the road, scanning for bears
Our first stop: a bridge known as a bear hotspot. As we scanned the area, locals passing by honked and yelled, “Two bears, 500 meters down the road!” My heart nearly exploded with joy. We raced back to the car, speeding toward the spot.
And then… nothing. No bears. Not even a shadow.
Determined, we pushed on, driving another 10 kilometers. Still nothing. The tension was real. Not wanting to keep Oksana chauffeuring us all day, we reluctantly decided to head back to the tour base.
But just as we were losing hope, Natasha screamed from the front seat, “Baby bear! BABY BEAR!”
And there it was. A fuzzy, cinnamon-colored bear cub, just 20 meters from the road, padding around like it owned the place. Cue all the squeals, gasps, and camera shutters. 🐾
Now, as anyone who’s ever watched a wildlife documentary knows, a baby bear means mama bear is likely nearby. We kept a respectful distance (read: stayed by the car) and marveled at this adorable little wildling living its best life.
In that moment, my heart soared. I felt like I had finally ticked off the ultimate box on my Kamchatka bucket list. From volcanoes to geysers, and now, a real-life bear encounter—Kamchatka had delivered in every way imaginable.
Moral of the story? Nature works on its own schedule, but when it finally shows up, it’s worth every second of the wait.
Didn't want to scare him off, so tried to kept the drone further away
Bear Safety Rules
Bears are accustomed to people and often indifferent to them, but remember, they are still wild animals, and it’s important to follow safety rules to protect yourself.
Remember:
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Travel in Groups: Bears, despite their otherworldly sense of smell and powerful hearing, have surprisingly blurry vision. To them, a tight-knit group of people appears as one large, intimidating creature—something they’d rather avoid.
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Make Noise: While hiking, make noise by talking, singing, or clapping. This will alert bears to your presence and give them a chance to avoid you.
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Carry Bear (defense) Spray: Always have bear spray accessible. Know how to use it and keep it within easy reach.
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Store Food Properly: Never leave food out in the open. Use bear-proof containers or hang food from a tree at least 4 meters off the ground and 100 meters from your campsite.
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Keep a Clean Camp: Dispose of trash properly and keep your campsite clean. Avoid cooking or eating near your sleeping area.
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Watch for Bear Signs: Be on the lookout for signs of bears, such as tracks, scat, or scratched trees. If you see fresh signs, leave the area.
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Avoid Surprising Bears: Stay on established trails and be extra cautious near streams, dense vegetation, and berry patches where bears might be feeding.
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Respect Their Space: If you see a bear, do not approach it. Give it plenty of space to move away. Back away slowly and avoid direct eye contact.
Know What to Do in an Encounter:
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If the bear doesn’t see you: Quietly back away.
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If the bear sees you: Remain calm, talk softly, and back away slowly. Do not run.
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If the bear approaches: Stand your ground, make yourself look larger by raising your arms, make laud noises/ scream and prepare to use bear spray if necessary.
Usually, a bear will move away when it hears or smells a person, avoiding direct encounters with different creatures. They prefer to avoid unexpected encounters. However, if a bear is upwind and doesn’t catch your scent, it might not notice you until you're practically on top of it. When that happens, the bear will typically make a quick exit or calmly stroll away.
But here’s where it gets interesting: sometimes a bear will just hang out, munching on berries or fishing, and not show any signs of leaving. In such cases, don’t be tempted to go closer, even if the bear seems chill and indifferent. Remember, this is still a wild animal, and approaching it could be seen as a serious threat.
Instead, slowly back away, making sure to keep an eye on the bear’s behavior. And whatever you do, don’t run—bears are faster than any track star you’ve ever seen. The same goes for bear cubs; their mom might show up in a flash, ready to protect her little ones. So, keep your distance and enjoy the bear-watching from afar!
All food waste needs to be dealt with properly. Plastic wrappers and other trash should either be burned or packed out with you. For items like tin cans from stew or condensed milk, make sure you take them with you as well. When washing dishes, rinse off any food scraps in a stream or river.
And whatever you do, never leave any food behind. You don’t want to start a buffet for wild animals and risk attracting hungry critters to your camp. Keeping your campsite clean helps ensure that your wild neighbors stay wild and don’t become too interested in other hikers!
"Fed" bears have a habit of showing up at popular tourist spots, and the unfortunate fate for these animals is usually that they are shot. The more they get used to human food, the bolder they become. If a bear gets a taste of something like condensed milk, you can be sure it won't forget where it came from. And trust me, bears can easily tell the difference between a can of condensed milk and a can of green peas or corn! So again, keep your snacks secured and never leave any food behind—it's for both your safety and the bears’ well-being.
When moving through dense underbrush and tall grasses, it's crucial to announce your presence. In such "jungles," encountering a bear up close can happen unexpectedly, and that's particularly dangerous. Singing, telling stories, and sharing jokes aren’t just for fun—they also help keep you safe by alerting bears to your presence. The clanging of metal pots and any other unnatural sounds work well too. These noises give bears a heads-up that you're around, giving them a chance to avoid you. So, make some noise and keep those bears aware and at a safe distance!
Bears usually back off when confronted by something bigger than themselves. So, if you find yourself face-to-face with one, gather everyone in your group together to appear as one large creature. It’s surprisingly effective! Plus, keep making noise with metal pots and other unnatural sounds. These tricks can help convince the bear that you’re not worth the trouble.
If you know how else to protect yourself, please share!
