It can be difficult to develop angling skills when larger bears occupy the most productive and easiest to access fishing spots. This is a spot that no other bear-currently or in the recent past-has tried to fish consistently.įishing at Brooks Falls isn’t easy for young bears. At this location, he can catch salmon welling up from the pool below, jumping through the air, or falling from above. He stands at the very base of Brooks Falls at the edge of the deepest plunge pool. Instead of competing for established fishing spots like most bears at Brooks Falls, 164 invented his own. Many observers identify 164 by an apparent indentation at the base of his upper muzzle. His fur becomes dark brown in late summer. In early summer, he has light brown body fur with darker brown fur on his lower legs. Walker’s experiences demonstrate that behavioral change and new challenges are facts of life for bears.īear 164 is a medium-sized adult male. However, his position in the hierarchy was frequently challenged this year by other bears such as 856, Brooks River most dominant male, and 128 Grazer. He establishes and maintains his dominance at Brooks Falls by displacing other bears from preferred fishing spots. He ranks high currently in the hierarchy of bears at Brooks River and shows much less tolerance for other bears compared to his younger self. Walker remained a tolerant and playful bear during his young adult years. He often has easy access to productive fishing spots due to his size and disposition. He’s a frequent user of Brooks Falls and the nearby vicinity where he prefers to fish in the far pool, on the lip, and in the riffles. Walker was first identified as an independent 2.5-year-old in 2009. By late summer Walker’s fur is dark brown and he has a light bulb or pear-shaped body. In early summer he often has dark eye rings. He has a long, tapering muzzle and widely spaced, upright ears. Grazer’s combination of skill and toughness makes her one of Brooks River’s most formidable, successful, and adaptable bears. For example, a large adult male, 151 Walker, regularly avoided her approach. In summer 2023, many other bears remembered her reputation and Grazer maintained a high level of dominance even though she was single. Her behavior produced benefits beyond the protection of her cubs. She often preemptively confronts and attacks much larger bears-even large and dominant adult males-in order to ensure her cubs are safe. Grazer is a particularly defensive mother bear who has successfully raised two litters of cubs. Grazer will also fish overnight at Brooks Falls. She can chase down fleeing salmon in many parts of the river or patiently scavenge dead and dying salmon after they spawn. She can fish successfully in many locations including the lip, far pool, and plunge pools of Brooks Falls. Since then, she’s become one of the best anglers at Brooks River. Grazer was introduced to Brooks River as a young cub in 2005. During late summer and fall, she has grizzled, light brown fur and is often one of the fattest bears to utilize Brooks River. Grazer is a large adult female with a long straight muzzle and conspicuously blond ears. His low hanging belly and ample hindquarters bear the fruit of his summer success. But it is only by observing his full range of behaviors that we can get a true sense of his individuality. In 2023 he ranked among the river’s largest and most dominant males.ĭue to his size and strength, Chunk has gained the confidence and ability to take advantage of opportunities not available to most other bears. This gave Chunk greater access to his most preferred fishing spots. Even bear 747 deferred fishing spots and salmon to him. In summer 2023, however, Chunk used his size and confidence to his advantage. He was also often unwilling or unable to successfully challenge some of the other big males at Brooks River. He would sometimes play with other bears or wait patiently to scavenge leftover salmon. Yet, in past years his behavior was enigmatic. He has been a large adult for several years. By late summer, his newly grown fur is dark brown.ģ2 Chunk was first identified in 2007 as an independent, chunky-looking 2.5-year-old bear. This gives him a two-toned appearance and exposes numerous scars and wounds. In early summer he tends to shed much of the fur around his shoulders and neck. Even at his leanest, Chunk carries substantial fat reserves, especially on his hind quarters. 32 Chunk is a large adult male with narrowly-set eyes, a prominent brow ridge, and a distinctive scar across his muzzle.
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