Bear Viewing in Alaska: Expert Techniques For A Great Adventure

By Stephen F. Stringham

With almost 50,000 visitors traveling north every year to photograph and study bruins, bear viewing is perhaps Alaska's fastest growing tourist industry. Bear Viewing in Alaska is the only title specifically tailored to the unique needs of this demographic. With chapters devoted to the best places to view bears, what to expect once you get there, how to choose a viewing guide, and how to behave safely in bear country, this is an absolute must-have for any potential bear viewer. A selection of personal bear-encounter anecdotes enliven each chapter, entertaining even as they educate.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0762739533
• ISBN13: 9780762739530
• Release Date: May 2007
• Publisher: Falcon Guides
• Length: 128 Pages
• Weight: 0.50 lbs.
• Dimensions: 9.0" x 0.3" x 6.0"

Customer Reviews

Bear viewing in Alaska

this book was very informitive and was very easy to read and understand and covered all bases in the u.s. and alaska

Great High Level Overview of Bear Viewing in Alaska, But You Will Still Need to Research the Details

This is a very well written book, but I had high expectations when I heard it was coming out. I envisioned a glossy but informative, "Frommer's" or "Eyewitness" type guide that had good maps and beautiful images for each viewing location, with very specific transportation, lodging, timing, tips, and suggestions. This book seems to be a high level guide mixing the current Bear Viewing industry and a how to act in bear country guide. The facts are presented in a general manner. For example, rather than saying "Use guides A or B" or plan to travel the second or third weeks of July, they have a list of questions to ask of your guide and suggest mid-summer visits during salmon runs. This is understandable, specific information would go out of date quickly and bears' habits are variable. So, the more vague information has a longer shelf life and is weather-proof. The information in the book is valuable, but the book does not contain all the answers you'll need to plan a trip. Location descriptions take up a third of the book, but they are short and again somewhat vague. Brooks River, which deserves pages, is given a paragraph of a hundred or so words. I was hoping for at least a map, description of camping availability, maybe a timing chart showing average peaks in bear presence and at least the iconic photo of a Brooks River bear catching the salmon mid-air. They spent 28 words describing the picture. I would have preferred a thousand words worth of photo. Where the book soars is when it discusses bear etiquette and ethics. The author is knowlegeble and prudent in his advice. His descriptions of bear behavior and ideal viewer behavior is what should be taken away from this book. Techniques is a strong word to use in the title, they're more like guidelines, but I think this is the meat of this book. Also, the book is filled with great photos, but again, I was hoping glossy national geographic type photos rather than black and white textbook images. I'm sure it was a cost saving compromise but they lost some of their power in the printing process. Sounds like I am slamming the book. I really can't, it's a good book. I was just hoping for something different. I guess my advice is to expect a fantastic general overview of the subject. What is there is great, what is missing are the specific details you need to start your trip planning.

Great practical, smart ways to see bears

This book gives a great overview of the suprisingly many ways there are to see bears in Alaska. Stringham gives loads of specific, practical advice. He also backs it up with the science he's learned and contributed to over the years so that you understand what you're seeing. And, he gives tips on how to be safe while you're seeing bears.

An essential resourse for all bear enthusiasts

Dr. Stephen Stringham's BEAR VIEWING in ALASKA is an up-to-date reference guide for anyone interested in observing the magnificence and splendor of Alaska's wild bears. As a professional wildlife photographer I can say firsthand that Dr. Stringham's vast array of knowledge will surely enhance ones bear viewing adventure. The book is an indispensable manual for both the amateur viewer as well as the professional biologist, journalist or photographer. The exquisite images by Kent Fredriksson beautifully portray the bears in their natural habitat. Amy Shapira is the co-author and photographer of GROWING UP GRIZZLY the TRUE STORY of BAYLEE & HER CUBS...Growing Up Grizzly: The True Story of Baylee and Her Cubs (Falcon Guide)