Haines Bear Etiquette - Chop Up Salmon and Do Not Cast at Bears

July 14, 2006 at 10:44 am

Can you believe that people cast at bears!!!

The following is a little piece of information sent to me by Adam S.that I have not thought of before. When fishing the salmon runs, cut up the carcass into little pieces and throw them into swift current. They had some unfortunate and somewhat avoidable bear encounters on the Russian and Kenai River this year already. They have issued this bulletin:

AOJ & the Department of Fish & Game thank you in advance! -KK-

ANGLERS LET’S MAKE IT HAPPEN! The Department of Fish & Game is requesting that all Russian River anglers do the BEARS a FAVOR and chop up all your salmon carcasses and throw the pieces out into the swift current. Whole filleted carcasses don’t dispose of well in the stream and eventually collect in the shallows which in turn attracts the bears. Incidents will continue to occur and inevitably someone is going to kill another bear because they are drawn to the easy food supply. Small carcass pieces BENEFIT the Rainbows and Dollies by providing them more accessible food in the main stem which in turn promotes HUGE growth.

I hope that everyone who plans to fish the Russian fishery this summer will please pass on the “Good Housekeeping” manners to others who may be visiting from outside and not realize the potential problems with accumulating carcasses. Do a little EXTRA for people and the bears!

The following also comes from the Haines Fishing report (http://www.sf.adfg.state.ak.us/Region1/weekly/hns.cfm) in regards to bear etiquette on the Chilkat and Chilkat Rivers. I hate to say it, but I have seen people (sometimes Yukoners) break all of these rules!

BEAR WARNING……Anglers should be aware that there have been a number of brown bear and human interactions along the Chilkoot River in recent years. For example last year, a bear regularly obtained fish from anglers who refused to stop fishing when the bear approached. This situation was very dangerous for both anglers and the bear. The bear learned to associate anglers with food making a dangerous situation for all anglers and will likely result in the bear having to be killed. You can help to reduce these incidents by following these guidelines:

- Clean your fish in the river, and place fish remains in swiftly moving water.

- Cease all fishing activity when a bear approaches to within 100 yards or at a point where the bear could obtain your fish if you hooked one, whichever is greater.

- Immediately release your hooked fish (by cutting or breaking the fishing line) when a bear approaches to within 100 yards or at the point when it is attracted by your struggling fish, whichever is greater.

- If anglers are in a boat, you may move to deeper water to maintain separation between the angler and the bear.

- Make every effort (including releasing hooked fish) to prevent a bear from obtaining your fish.

- Store your food, fish and garbage in your vehicle (or bear-resistant container) at all times.

- Never leave your food, fish or garbage unattended.

- We encourage you to clean your fish, to bag it immediately, and to store it in a cooler in your vehicle.

- Do not cast at bears.

- Do not eat along the river.

- Avoid fishing early in the morning or late at night. This is when bears are most active.

- Avoid fishing in areas which bears are known to frequent such as the east shore (opposite side from the road).

- Camp only in the campground at the lake or at one of the commercial campgrounds.

- Use the outhouses provided in the campground.

- Leave pets in your vehicle, or have them under leash control at all times. If you must feed your pet, do so at your campsite and clean up any dropped food.

- Do not use firearms to scare or warn bears. This could result in a wounded bear.

- If a bear approaches, stand your ground and speak in a normal voice. Never run away from a bear. Don’t whistle, call to, or otherwise try to get a bear’s attention.

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