The Kenai Peninsula is home to many animals that can be exciting for visitors and locals alike to see. However, keep in mind that while wildlife viewing is fun for humans, it is not usually for animals.
To make the most of wildlife viewing opportunities, remember this is their natural habitat. You are guests. Give your host lots of room.
Fish and wildlife protection personnel encourage viewing wildlife from a distance, re-membering their comfort zone is greater than humans'.
When hiking, be aware that animals' combined sensory abilities allow them to perceive your presence before you are aware of them.
Viewing glasses make it possible to maintain distance. For some, compact binoculars work fine for catching glimpses of Kenai's big game, such as moose and bear, under good light.
However, if bringing into focus that Dall sheep or mountain goat scrambling up a sheer mountain side is the goal, consider a spotting scope mounted on a tripod.
Spotting scopes also work well for closing the distance between the viewer and the peninsula's winged habitants.
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A young brown bear crosses the mouth of the Russian River in front of a pair of red salmon anglers.
Photo by McNair Rivers
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When in the presence of wildlife, be sensitive to their behavior and aware of any changes. Remember to leave them a way out. The closer you get, the greater the chance they will react defensively or run off.
The family dog is best left at home, in the car or on a leash. Some animals view dogs as aggressors. Others see them as a target. One view you don't want is your dog running toward you with an angry bear in pursuit.
Leave wounded or abandoned animals alone. Appear-ances can be deceiving, and the parent may be close at hand. Wounded animals, especially bears, are neither happy nor safe and are better dealt with by state agencies.
Avoid nests, dens and calving areas. Human presence stresses the mother and young and causes mothers to become aggressive.
Feeding wildlife lures them into dangerous situations and almost always leads to a death sentence for the animal.
Harassing wildlife is illegal. The behavior of frightened animals is unpredictable and can create dangerous situations for them as well as us.
View wildlife with patience. Ensuring their comfort level will automatically increase yours.
