Little Big Bear Safari
by Dirk P. Stewart
On Saturday, October 16th, I was promised American Black Bear observation
in their natural habitat in a nearby community. Having previously met with Vivianne and Richard Goguen of Acadieville, New
Brunswick, they guaranteed they could show me bears.
Richard, a Licensed Guide in the province, informed me he knew Bears
- their habits and personalities, travel patterns, mating, rearing of young . . . well, virtually everything about American
Black Bears. His backyard and wooded lots are a haven and natural habitat for this species.
With this information
sparking my imagination, I wanted this experience. The location of the Little Big Bear Safari is an approximate 45-minute
drive from Miramichi City. (Unless you forget your wallet! Chris)
Six friends travelled with me to Acadieville.
Having been a downpour of rain for most of the day, Mother Nature blessed our arrival with clearing skies and a warmer than
usual fall temperature of 16 degrees. The viewing tower is easily accessed by a gated and caged stairway that leads you up
and into a spectacular tree house.
Sturdily constructed and completely enclosed, the facility gives a very large
field of view and accommodated our party comfortably. The large windows open for photo shooting and the room is like a small
cottage with refreshments and relief provided. Quietness was required and we settled in to wait.
In a whispered
voice Richard told us it would not be long before we saw a bear. Chris had a digital camera. Stacy was armed with the same,
plus a Video Camera. I had a digital also. AJ and Brandon with wide eyes and boy’s imaginations patiently waited but
Tracy and Chelsea were first to spot a bear.
A lone female approached the tower from the North and crossed the
brook over a downed birch tree.
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| Photo Provided by Richard Goguen |
She approached quite cautiously and skirted the freshly baited area but
exited the scene after only a few moments travelling away along the brook. Richard whispered, “She will be back”
(I noticed everyone looked a little disappointed.)
Another 10 minutes or so passed and the sun was fading quickly
when Tracy pointed to the brook, another large Bear (estimated 300lbs) emerged from the opposite side of the brook at the
approach of another downed tree. Pausing for a few moments she approached the crossing and out of the shadows clambered one
cub, then another and crossed the tree with their mother.
This was the highlight of the Safari for me. All
three were on the crossing log at the same time, but I chose to keep that memory in my mind rather than try to capture
it on disk. Richard had delivered what he promised, viewing of American Black Bears in their own environment.
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| Photo Provided by Richard Goguen |
Five minutes later the lone female approached the scene sending the two
cubs scrambling at lightning speed up two spruce trees. Pooch, in defence, chased off the intruder in a flurry of excitement.
This
was totally awesome to observe and Richard beamed a little bit of personal pride at having provided us such a pleasure. The
action was temporary and Pooch returned to the lunch of Grain soaked in Molasses. One cub being quite timid stayed in
the safety of the tree for quite some time but the other descended as soon as Pooch was comfortable at the baited hollow stumps.
This
particular mother is named Pooch and had been orphaned in her first year by the shooting of her mother by hunters at Richards’s
first platform. Richard did not sanction this event and I felt his emotion as he relayed the story to us. Pooch adopted Richard
as her caretaker, cute as this may sound; he was concerned and quite worried about her first winter. The cubs stay with
their mother for two full seasons and she instils the natural instincts of survival and den construction for the harsh Canadian
winter. So, when the following spring she returned it was very surprising. In 2004, she surprised Richard again with
the emergence of two
healthy cubs in the spring.
Our efforts at getting pictures were
nearly futile as the area was soon becoming heavily shaded. The silence at which these Bears emerged and walked about the
area was almost surreal, the squirrels and birds taking advantage of the bait were very noisy in comparison.
We stayed in the platform until it was too dark to distinguish the bears
enjoying their meals; Pooch chased of the lone female a second time and was a bit more ferocious in her growling and fury.
The speed at which these defensive actions take place was, as we all agreed later, amazing. The cubs climb a tree in
a second and the adults can break into full speed instantly, unless provoked they live a fairly silent life. Although their
senses of smell and hearing are very acute they suffer from very poor eyesight. Their heavily padded feet allow them to be
silent in their woodland travels.
This excursion was well worth the time spent travelling there and the costs
of such a unique experience are justified by the wonderful memory in my mind. Prices in the peak summer months are $45.00
Adults, $25.00 Children. On our off-season Safari were charged $35.00 Adults, $15.00 Children.
If you may like
to experience American Black Bears like we did that day, then you should check out the Website of Richard and Vivianne
Goguen at the www.mightykent.com where you will never know what you may find in your own backyard!
Dirk P Stewart is a multitalented Miramichier. A singer, songwriter, musician, folklorist,
entrepreneur and more, Dirk works with the Mighty Kent online community. To comment on this article email dirk@mightykent.com
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| For more information about Black Bears Click Here |
