Please note: A time converter can be found here to help you determine the time of the live chat in your area. Another site that you may also find helpful can be found here .
In just a few short weeks, hundreds of thousands of salmon will return to Brooks River, attracting dozens of ravenous brown bears. For salmon, this is the final leg of an epic and dangerous journey to their spawning grounds. After hibernating for several months, the river’s brown bears will be eager to gain back the weight they lost in winter and spring. You’ll be able to watch the spectacle of survival, hunger, and competition unfold on the world famous bearcams.
Join explore.org for a pre-season bearcam live chat on Friday, June 1st, at 7pm ET/ 4pm PT. Led by a surprise host, we’ll look back at the events on bearcam in 2017, answer your questions, and discuss some of the major storylines to follow this summer. Bearcam 2018 could be one of the most exciting seasons yet!
Ranger Russ Assisted with June 1, 2018 Live Chat in Bearcam Comments:[]
Ranger Russ' June 1, 2018 15:06 comment ~ assisting with the chat this afternoon
Ranger Russ' June 1, 2018 15:08 comment ~ 480 has not been seen yet
Ranger Russ' June 1. 2018 15:09 comment ~ water level in river not rising quickly but on steady rise
Ranger Russ' June 1, 2018 15:10 comment ~ 2018 Bears of Brooks Book is awaiting new numbers for subadults and then will be ready
Ranger Russ' June 1, 2018 15:11 comment ~ We've seen some subadults that might be 128's emancipated cubs, but we're not ready to confirm that just yet.
Ranger Russ' June 1, 2018 15:13 comment ~ 747 not observed yet. There was one boar chasing a sow near camp the other day, but there were no photos so we're not sure which boar that was.
Ranger Russ' June 1, 2018 15:16 comment ~ Some of our rangers were out on a boat on the Iliuk Arm today and spotted two subadults and a sow with a COY.
Ranger Russ' June 1, 2018 15:17 comment ~ Oh boy, if Fifi (128 Grazer's runt) starts bluff charging this is going to be one interesting summer.
Ranger Russ' June 1, 2018 15:18 comment ~ Yes, those bears (observed by rangers on Iliuk Arm) could potentially be on their way here (Brooks River).
Ranger Russ' June 1, 2018 15:21 comment ~ 480 Otis hasn't made an appearance this season - yet
Ranger Russ' June 1, 2018 15:22 comment ~ Boar courting sow seen a few days ago but no additional sightings since that time
Ranger Russ' June 1, 2018 15.27 comment ~ 128 Grazer not observed alone (or with cubs) since May 23rd
Ranger Russ' June 1, 2018 15:29 comment ~ 410 has not been seen this season, so far.
Ranger Russ' June 1, 2018 15:33 comment ~ Mike (Fitz) is working for Explore.org this year and will be at Brooks Camp this summer through mid July.
Ranger Russ' June 1, 2018 15:34 comment ~ shared prior season photo of 32 Chunk
32 Chunk from a prior season shared by Ranger Russ' with his June 1, 2018 15:34 comment
32 Chunk from a prior season shared by Ranger Russ' with his June 1, 2018 15:34 comment (zoom)
Ranger Russ' June 1, 2018 15:36 comment ~ By the second week in July I imagine the falls will be full of salmon. The run may start a little earlier this year it seems.
Ranger Russ' June 1, 2018 15:37 comment ~ NPS staff and support personnel getting to and from Brooks Camp via a lot of boat trips this year (so far) (Cam viewers haven't seen the NPS airplane at the King Salmon dock at the time of this chat). Note: The NPS plane was observed at the NPS dock in King Salmon at 17:09 ~ see below.
Ranger Russ' June 1, 2018 15:40 comment ~ he heard about the off season bear a day theme; it sounded fun
Ranger Russ' June 1, 2018 15:41 comment ~ Mike (Fitz) is currently in Washington. The cams should be up and running by late June.
Ranger Russ' June 1, 2018 15:42 comment ~ Watch for Fat Bear week next October
503 Cubadult July 13, 2017 vs September 9, 2017 via Ranger Russ with his June 1, 2018 15:42 comment
Ranger Russ' June 1, 2018 15:54 comment ~ re: plans to deal with a possible sub surge this season ~ We may definitely be taking trips by canoe to get home in the evenings and keeping waders available to cross the river.
Ranger Russ' June 1, 2018 15:58 comment ~ He would estimate the distance from the lip of the falls to the far side of island to be about 30 yards.
Ranger Russ' June 1. 2018 16:00 comment ~ re: 503 Cubadult really liking the jacuzzi ~ responding to a viewer commenting on how much 503 was fishing in the main spot and catching last year
Ranger Russ' June 1, 2018 16:01 comment ~ re: distance from no fishing sign near riffles platform to falls is 50 yards
Ranger Russ' June 1, 2018 16:02 ~ He was at the falls, but I didn't take note about that tree (on the island). I'll have to look for that next time out there.
Ranger Russ' June 1, 2018 16:03 comment ~ he appreciates a viewer thanking him and letting him know he is appreciated, he is glad to be here
Ranger Russ' June 1, 2018 16:03 comment ~ he doesn't fish, most of his time is spent photographing
Ranger Russ' June 1, 2018 16:20 comment ~ "That was a great evening, y'all have a good one and see you tomorrow."
Subadult Observed on Spit Road at Approximately 17:30 ~ KNP&P Flickr:[]
KNP&P added a photo of a subadult seen on Spit Road at approximately 17:30 on June 1, 2018 to their flickr account:
(Please note: Ranger Russ shared more photos of this subadult on June 2, 2018 in his 09:55 - 10:06 comments)
Subadult observed on Spit Road June 1, 2018 KNP&P flickr
Subadult observed on Spit Road June 1, 2018 KNP&P flickr
KNP&P Plane Observed at NPS Dock in King Salmon for 1st Time This Season:[]
