by Steve Selden | Nov 2, 2009 | Churchill News, Tour News
A daily field report on polar bears from our guide Steve Selden in our Churchill, Manitoba office! Check out our polar bear tours here.
Polar bears in the Churchill Wildlife Management Area. Steve Morello Photo.
Sunny skies and cold, cold temperatures around 15°F were the order of the day yesterday and the Polar Bears were on the move all over the tundra and in and around Churchill. Just outside of the city limits, Conservation Officers were busy patrolling to keep the bears at “Bay”…as in the Hudson Bay and out of the town.
Another bear lift at the compound, second in two days, drew a huge crowd as a massive bear was raised and delivered north. Churchill Operational staff scrambled to gather groups in town and transport them to the lift near the airport. All came together nicely as nearly all our travelers were able to view the unique, surreal scene. The groups quickly retreated to their respective buses from the biting cold. What an incredible event.
On the tundra, it was business as usual with plenty of bears to go around. Guide Elise and her loyal travelers counted up 30 bears throughout the day. Many wandered toward the shore as the cold seemed to persuade them to do. It does seem that colder temps tend to convince the bears to gravitate toward the coast a little more as they associate the chill with increased ice. Once the ice forms solid out into the bay, the bears will start to test the surface. In a few weeks, they will move out onto the bay and start the winter quest for seals as sustenance. Just the edges of the bay are frozen at this point so there’s still time on land. (more…)
by Steve Selden | Nov 1, 2009 | Churchill News, Tour News
A daily field report on polar bears from our guide Steve Selden in our Churchill, Manitoba office! Check out our polar bear tours here.
Polar bear lifts must be handled with great care. NHA photo.
The morning clouds and fog lifted as afternoon arrived and the temperature plummeted to around 17 F. Slight winds persisted and the wind chill factor made it feel like below zero. With the weather changing to more winter-like conditions, the bears were moving more out on the land. With all the bear sightings and encounters this past week, the compound was in need of releasing a bear or two on work release. In this case, the work would be traveling the 45 miles or so back from above the Seal River to the North. To that end, a “bear-lift” was scheduled for early afternoon. (more…)
by Steve Selden | Oct 31, 2009 | Churchill News, Tour News
A daily field report on polar bears from our guide Steve Selden in our Churchill, Manitoba office! Check out our polar bear tours here.
The final day of October saw temps around 20F as snow continued to fall and blanket the tundra. Persistent winds finally calmed in the later afternoon while the sky brightened above the thick cloud cover. The bright glow of the sun was seen across the Churchill River and the temperature fell even more. (more…)
by Steve Selden | Oct 30, 2009 | Churchill News, Tour News
A daily field report on polar bears from our guide Steve Selden in our Churchill, Manitoba office! Check out our polar bear tours here.
Aggressive polar bears are part of the Churchill experience. NHA photo.
Winter arrived in Churchill on fierce winds whipping across the Hudson Bay from the North. By mid afternoon a noticeable change in the temperature (25F) and snow flurries coming sideways was a sure sign of the changing season. This time it’s the real thing.
The day began with a “bang”…literally. Guide Jared radioed in from Northern nights Lodge requesting the office to call Bear Alert. As Conservation officers arrived, both Jared’s and Guide Eric’s folks were there. One officer quickly pulled out his shotgun and blasted off about 20 rounds of cracker shells in the direction of the massive 800 lb bear that was concealed somewhat in the willows just 200 feet away from the hotel. (more…)
by Steve Selden | Oct 29, 2009 | Churchill News, Tour News
A daily field report on polar bears from our guide Steve Selden in our Churchill, Manitoba office! Check out our polar bear tours here.
Polar bear in paradise. Dennis Minty photo.
Traffic reports from the tundra and the Churchill Wildlife Management Area (CWMA) reported free and easy polar bear movement on the coastal road yet heavy congestion on the inland road to Gordon Point. Guide Eric reports a mother and two cubs situated smack in the middle of the trail while his rover maneuvered for position to view the spectacle. As the morning progressed, about eight other bears came and went, much to the contentment of all onlookers. At one point, curious cubs visited rovers one by one. Due to temps once again around 31°F, the bear movement was slower than normal and momma decided to have a little fun with our travelers. This is one traffic jam nobody complained about, however. As Guides Brent, Sue and Eric camped out in their rovers and enjoyed lunch, momma and cubs were happy to pose for photos. Film at eleven.
Guide Jared and group were away from the others out on the coast and thoroughly enjoyed watching a big 700-pound male polar bear splash around in the water. Two Arctic Fox meandered by during the afternoon as well. Snow buntings here and there also caught the attention of the group.
Back in town, cracker shells once again rang out sporadically in the snow and fog while Conservation trucks buzzed around the streets. Bears are very healthy this year but that hasn’t kept them from coming into town. Curiosity and aromas lure the animals into town and Bear patrol (675-BEAR) works tirelessly to keep them out. Incredible controlled chaos in the north.
