Grizzly Bear Charge in Remote Alaska

My name is Caleb Jacques I am a Grizzly Bear safari guide in Alaska, and in this video I am guiding a group that is watching a sow with spring cubs from a safe distance, From behind us walking up the creek bed, heading in our direction comes this sub-adult bear. We let the bear know we are there from the get-go, and the bear chooses to approach us curiously. At this point, I remember I loaned my bear spray to our apprentice guide who has it in his coat pocket.

In a situation like this, there is no time to be scrambling to get bear spray out of a bag or to hand it off to someone else. It is in hand or it's out of play. We did not have bear spray out and available. I made do with the two best bear deterrents available to me: my voice, and my body. It is important to recognize this bear's behavior for what it is: a very curious approach to a previously unencountered stimulus. I say unencountered because of the incredibly remote location where this occurred, and the fact this is a young bear perhaps on its first or second summer away from its mother. Likely we are the first people it has ever encountered on its own, thus leading to a confrontation that because of proximity could have turned deadly for the bear and us in a split second.

So, while I would have loved to have had bear spray in my hand when this bear approached, I did not, and even if I had, I still would have had my gun out and in my hand in case the bear charges and goes through the cloud of spray, which is an unlikely scenario but still possible, and thus still something you should be prepared for. Had I had bear spray in my hand I would have been well within my rights to spray the bear on that first bluff charge 0:38​ and that could possibly form a negative association with humans as a result, which for a young curious bear like this one might have been a good thing.

However, because of my experience with bears like this in the past, and over a decade of guiding experience, I knew based on the body language of this bear that the first charge was likely a bluff. I still would have liked to have bear spray, but again you can't be prepared for everything and everyone makes mistakes. In these split seconds, I am thinking about all of these things and more, including what happens in a worst-case scenario and I have to make the best with what I have which is my voice, my body, my group, and my pistol.

At 0:50​ you hear me tell everyone to, "get behind me and put your arms in the air" this is pretty standard procedure for this situation and the only move left to discourage a real charge, short of firing my .44SW. The reason I placed the group behind me is that if that bear charges I am the only person with any hope of stopping it, meaning I need to be in front, facing that risk head-on with nothing and no one impeding my movements. If a bear charges with intent to kill, you only get one shot to stop it before it grabs someone at this distance.

The reason I didn't fire my .44SW is twofold. First I honestly didn't and still don't KNOW how this bear would have reacted. It could have run off or the gunshot could have also CAUSED a real charge, and secondly because if the bear grabs ahold of me I want every bullet. In this video, I am carrying an S&W Model 29, 44 mag, with 305 Gr HSM Bear loads producing 1075 foot pounds energy.

[kingsleydahlgren]

All seriousness aside, i just love the
"You're a pretty one!"

*Grabs gun from holster*

[maciejk]

"You are a pretty one"
*Brings out the weapon*
Bear: I am getting some mixed signals here...

[waynedonoghue]

Wife bear: Hey honey, how was your day?

Bear: I don't wanna talk about it...

[ssok]

I had a very similar experience with a squirrel once, I stayed calm, squared up to the squirrel, and he eventually backed down. It was only then I was able to finish my piece of pecan pie. It was intense.

[TaalpatarShepai]

Bear be like " dude this is not normal, you are not normal"

[vivekrajan]

Bears probably sit around the campfire and tell horror stories about this man

[Profile__]

I like how it was acting so mischievous. "I'm not doing anything... Just sniffin' the wind... But now I'M CHARGING- ok ok... Backing away... Or am I-? Yeah I am..."

[thomasjetter]

In the face of such danger, props to the bear for being so brave.

[philcliffe]

I thought the Bear handled the situation with dignity and respect.

[TheVikingActual]

"Why would he do that?" the bear says to his therapist with tears streaming down his cheeks.

[drewriggs]

The guy does a great job of communicating to the bear. Makes himself bigger. Speaks authoritative. Even does "false charges" which of course bears do themselves to let others know when they are invading the bears comfort zone. Well done!

[DustyBelew]

"Get behind me and put your arms in the air"... all I could think was "and wave them like you just don't care!"

[dontmindmeimjustvisiting]

This was definitely his lucky day. He’ll never forget how he confronted a wild man.

[AutismFamilyChannel]

How do you think house cats scare off animals 10x their size? They posture. Every creature understands fear and courage. It’s so universal and this was a great example.

[jovany]

“Came here for a good time, and honestly. Im feeling attacked right now.” - The bear

[Wu.Tang.Financial]

It’s amazing that one of the greatest predators walking the earth basically looks like something you’d want to give a hug if it wasn’t big enough to casually mangle you

[DCdabest]

I like how the bear is just like slowly getting closer but trying to be all sly about it. Like it has no chance at hiding it's movements but looks like it's acting real casual and nonchalant lol

[kevinmathewson]

are people legit worried that this dude hurt a bear's feelings by yelling at it? that's not how bears work

[mulletover]

The grizzly really kept his cool as the man charged him multiple times.

[Anna_Stetik]

It is a pleasure to watch someone who handles and holds their firearm correctly in one swift movement. The bear handling was also impressive.