A fisherman enjoying a nice day out on Alaska’s Kenai River turned into the trip of a lifetime. Carter Brown filmed female brown bears searching for salmon only a few feet from his boat.
The video was recorded near Soldotna while Brown was out fishing. It shows one bear dipping her head underwater and surfacing with part of a salmon, then eating it.
Brown has a subtle smirk on his face while he kept the camera pointed at himself as the bear foraged behind him. Another bear could be seen farther away, searching for food. The encounter ended without any reported injuries to Brown or the bears.
Although Brown stayed calm as the animal approached, wildlife officials advise anglers to give bears as much room as possible. People in the comment section joked about Brown’s demeanor in the video, with one writing, “What dose of Lexapro is this?”
The Bear Ate the Salmon Right Beside the Boat
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Video shared by ABC News shows the bear moving through the water beside the boat before lifting the salmon and eating it near Brown. According to FOX Weather, Brown began recording after noticing the bear searching for food. “She finds a piece of salmon while foraging and eats it right next to my head!” he said.
The bear appeared focused on its meal rather than the people watching from the boat. After eating, she placed her head beneath the surface and continued searching for more fish.
Anglers Should Stop Fishing When Bears Approach
The Alaska Department of Fish and Game tells anglers to stop fishing when a bear approaches. If someone has a fish on the line, the agency recommends leaving slack so the fish does not splash or cutting the line if necessary.
People fishing from boats should closely monitor their catch and secure the fish on board. Fish should never be left exposed on a riverbank or unattended in the water.
Anyone who encounters a bear should remain calm and avoid running. People should give the animal a clear path, back away slowly when possible, and avoid interfering with a bear searching for food.