GRIZZLY HUNTING WITH A CAMERA
Our Canada|February/March 2020
Bears, bald eagles and beautiful scenery made this an excursion to remember
John Chalmers
GRIZZLY HUNTING WITH A CAMERA

Thousands of years ago, grizzly bears ranged across western North America from Mexico to Alaska. Today, there are no grizzly bears in Mexico. In the continental lower 48 United States, grizzlies are scarce, with an estimated 1,500 remaining close to the Canadian border, protected in Wyoming, Idaho, Montana and Washington. Far more grizzlies live in Canada, but more than half the estimated grizzly population in North America lives in Alaska.

Last year, I took a one-day trip with Classic Canadian Tours to see Canadian grizzly bears. Along with 99 other passengers on a chartered Canadian North aircraft, we flew from Edmonton to Prince Rupert, B.C.

During the flight, naturalist Les Stegenga gave an informative talk to prepare us for the trip. He has studied grizzlies and polar bears in Canada, and wildlife in Africa and China, as well as working as a senior keeper at the Calgary Zoo.

This story is from the February/March 2020 edition of Our Canada.

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This story is from the February/March 2020 edition of Our Canada.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.