Bear-ly an Inconvenience | Mountain Living Alaska

[@gf3803]

Wife and I got a chuckle. We can relate. We're on the KP off grid, we have two ATVs both with seats ripped up from bears, a skidded with the seat ripped up (because I busted the glass out earlier) and this summer we sprayed two bears in the face on our deck point blank (one got sprayed twice). Little black bears. Spray worked for one of them, the other took a warning shot to stay away. Brownies destroyed our yurt a couple years back so we built the cabin. They definitely teach you to not leave your stuff out and about. Makes it hard when just starting out.

[@MountainMariner]

Bears can be quite destructive. Guessing I have spent a few thousand repairing their vandalism. Not as bad as some who have lost much much more. My nightmare is having one get inside my cabin while I’m away.

[@gf3803]

@@MountainMariner oh we hear ya, when we came back and saw our yurt our heart sank. Couple giant holes in the side of it, everything inside smashed to bits, shed next door demolished, and they snatched a bunch of freeze dried food. My fault. It was our first year in Alaska and we thought when it was below freezing (and our lithium batteries no longer took a sola charge and our electric fence no longer worked) that it would be no big deal because bears would be sleeping. We learned the hard way. But we built our cabin from the ground up with bears in mind. Mud room with two solid metal doors, windows (except for loft) are only a foot high, and the front glass panels are a product called the Bearicade made by Nanawall that are made for brown bears. So far so good. At least on the cabin.

[@MountainMariner]

Bearicade. An ingenious name for the product! Sorry about your losses. That’s one reason my cabin has two solar systems with different battery chemistry banks. The lithium for summer and the silicone gel for winter.

[@gf3803]

@@MountainMariner smart!

[@thetncyclist]

This is 10 times better than any over produced & scripted Alaska reality show I’ve ever seen. Well done sir.

[@MountainMariner]

Thanks for the compliment and for watching my channel!

[@jeffwrench9994]

Nice to see you back home. The bear needed his lunch haha

[@clintgilchrest1019]

Awesome view for a ride home....4 wheeler seat turned out looking good... you can fix just about anything with some good ol duct tape.....

[@conniebarnes7383]

As always enjoyed watching. Welcome home. Such a beautiful place.

[@wendyd1013]

Even with the aggravation from the pesky bear, the scenery sure eases the pain. The custom seat cover looks just fine...at least it's not tyvek. Enjoy your time at home, hope you get lots accomplished.

[@minab7390]

I never get tired of your videos. Thank you for continuing to post them! 🙂

[@MountainMariner]

Thanks for watching! More to come.

[@dawnadouglas2480]

My Dad had several cans of orange spray paint ,bear poped all cans he was a fluorescent orange bear when he got done with that😂

[@MountainMariner]

The old can trick. FYI: They also bite bear spray cans.

[@marianfrances4959]

Sucks about the rainy summer. We've had smoke. Always enjoy youd videos, thank you! 👍😎🇨🇦

[@BreakAwayTheChains]

I get a better picture in this season; you really picked a perfect location. Thank you for sharing this beauty. -Sharron

[@remoteandrestless]

Seat looks almost like new. Having bear tags in your pocket makes the decision about how to solve the problem a lot easier. Can never have enough firewood

[@theresebennett5372]

Thanks for sharing part of your day with us. Beautiful area you call home.

[@amandaspear3373]

Welcome back! It’s been a while. So enjoy your videos. Sorry about the bear incident but you did a great job with the duct tape! Hope your stay is a bit longer this trip. Thanks for your videos! 👍

[@enigmaticgwichin1630]

Wow that beginning music and video of flying in could be the opening scene from a big budget movie! Awesome stuff. I need to start using my trail cams. God bless

[@MountainMariner]

I just got 2 Tactacam Reveal II cell cams and 4 GardePro A3 to go with the six assorted trail cameras I already have. The 2 cell cams are going on the cabin since that’s the only area that gets signal. Bet your ready for trapping season! Can’t wait for winter to arrive!

[@enigmaticgwichin1630]

@@MountainMariner I can’t wait for cell service here so I can get a few of those cams. Yeah trapping will be here in no time for sure. This year I’ll be trapping everything and selling it here on KZbin with a fur buyer/seller license. I hope it works out. It would be cool to catch fox and other animals that I wouldn’t otherwise target

[@j.r.3215]

Welcome home, lets hope you get a full number of days off this time and don't get called back after a week or two.

[@heatherclayton-callaghan4270]

Hey there Ed. Can you not strap a cushion onto the ATV to make a seat until you can get a replacement ? Haha wrote that before your brilliant running repairs with duct tape !!!! Love how in summer it's more easily to define the lakes /rivers in the landscape than when its all white with snow/ice in winter. Did you end up finding the bear?? I've often wondered how the noise of a chainsaw may affect the bears in particular .... could they be more afraid of a chainsaw starting up than a gunshot ??? They're not to know the noise isn't coming from a human being if ones holding it. Has anyone attempted to ward one off with one ??? Interesting exercise. You could try it up there with no neighbours to bother at 3am Ed. Cheers for now, from Down Under 🇦🇺🤗💞🙏👏👍👌✌️🇺🇲

[@MountainMariner]

The repaired seat will get me by until the new seat arrives.

[@heatherclayton-callaghan4270]

@@MountainMariner Yeah, I saw that. I wrote my suggestion BEFORE you showed the repairs. LOL Did you find the bear Ed ???

[@MountainMariner]

I haven’t unfortunately.

[@cliffordwright342]

What a great life style. Just found your channel and subscribed. Been binging all morning.

[@MountainMariner]

Welcome aboard!

[@Jasonrcsd]

Fascinating!!

[@LV128]

Welcome back...been awhiile...that chopper ride home was awesome. Sorry about your atv seat...known hazards of the area, but boy oh boy did you do a first rate repair. I'm sure you'll come up with a solution for further prevention. Love your videos...didn’t want this one to end!😊

[@bobjarrard]

Great post - thanks. Bob in Nevada

[@rockinroxxi3710]

Never knew ATV seats are a favorite chew toy for bears 😮

[@derrick9635]

Fantastic love it 👍

[@gailbrault9251]

Duct tape for the win!😊

[@chrisguthrie8402]

Nice to see you back at it Ed!

[@rw3100]

Glad to see you back on the mountain 👍great 📽

[@debbieledbetter5147]

New subscriber here, amazingly beautiful scenery! I enjoy the Alaska lifestyle from the confines of KY, hoping to see it in person in 2024. Stay safe.

[@karenr67]

Would have like to seen inside cabin

[@MountainMariner]

I’ll be doing that in the next video. Thanks for watching!

[@RiverbendlongbowsOutdoors]

Just found your channel 👍🏻 I'm digging it

[@MountainMariner]

Thanks for watching, working on getting more content and hopefully grow the channel.

[@F.O.Cause.U.S]

Looks like you take off and fly right over my house. I know i have seen you take off because i ride my Atv past the helo pad.

[@MattAK]

had a coworker that told me about a bear one time that ate his seat when he was on a motorcycle camping trip. as I recall there wasn't much of it left so he had to ride a couple hundred miles home with no seat. think he was here on the peninsula somewhere but can't remember. Welcome home!

[@MountainMariner]

The local AK bike shops know exactly what happened without explanation when you go in and order a new seat.

[@lovegodlovefreedom2535]

Great footage, no glitches! New subscriber here!

[@MountainMariner]

Thanks for the sub! Welcome to my channel.

[@curmudgeinnak]

Glad you are back Ed. Dang bear got my kodiak seat. Orange duct tape design now lol. We have not had a bear come to the house this summer so far.

[@MountainMariner]

Fancy orange duct tape huh? Now that you said you haven’t had any bears visit this summer…

[@curmudgeinnak]

@@MountainMariner right. I should of said I had not seen a moose all summer. Maybe he would show up at the door again lol

[@Rob-4619]

Welcome back. Love your videos. Keep them coming

[@buddy2767]

Great to see you home and posting. Your weather is almost unfathomable to me. Temp in central TX was 105 today. Not more than an inch of rain in the past 3 months. It is supposed to cool down to the mid 90's next week. lol. I hope you are able to get your button down for winter in the coming weeks.

[@MountainMariner]

High 30’s at night here and high 40’s low 50’s in the day. I think that’s too warm. I lived in the Texas heat for quite a few years, not fun.

[@michaelmitchell7170]

Rain and bears are also an issue in getting my cabin pad ready. Rain holding up the excavation work, bears working the berries. But they are pretty timid. And to be honest they were here before I bought the land. I am having the Amish in PA build me a 40x14 cabin shell, then transport it down to WV and build out over the winter. The journey continues. Be safe my friend.

[@MountainMariner]

My cabin sits up high with a 360° view. There was one sunny fall day a couple years ago when I counted 12 black bears in view in the surrounding fields. Munching on berries. One sow black bear had 4 cubs so that was 5 in one spot. Another had 3 cubs in a different field.

[@denisfrancine3221]

Nothing better than good old duct tape! And W D 40. Always have lots on hand!

[@stevefisher2121]

Good to see you back safely. That view never gets old. God bless and stay safe.

[@elainewood3987]

Wonderful video as always. So glad you are home. You can bear-ly tell the seat is patched! :)

[@robynbaker1098]

New subscriber. From South Carolina.I truly enjoyed watching your videos! There is a calmness that I do appreciate in your videos. Truly looking forward to seeing more.sincerly Robyn. In the meantime take care!

[@MountainMariner]

Thanks for subbing! It’s quite serene out here. I’d kill the vibe if I was to run around all excited and tense.

[@robynbaker1098]

This is true 😂 I guess here it's hustle and bustle .Have a great day!

[@peerzechmann5253]

As always another wonderful video! I love this stuff.

[@frankpohl4377]

My hero of the wilderness, why dont you instale bear proof shutters? Like Dick Proenecke? In Germany and many other cold bear countrys they are part of the home protection- but not only that- shutters reduce the cold in the cabins or homes 100%! Windows like yours are more like a rain and wind protection but the cold presses INTO the cabin you have much to big window spaces in relation to the walls. As smaler the windows are as warmer it is in wintertimes. Shutters keep the cold outside and works like a second window from the outside and the protect the cabin in time or storms and fire! A bear that looses fear of contact can destroy your cabin fast.Some brake into cabins as you know. I would like to see strong shutters in your cabin. Frank facility manager 30 years in the buis and carpenter. Germany Hamburg. With a love for cabins in the wilderness.

[@MountainMariner]

I use bear boards on the porch when I leave for work. And all the windows are shuttered. Plus the electric fence is on.

[@frankpohl4377]

I never saw the shutters. We have then in a decorated style mostley in okwood . Elecritc fance cant hit by a tree or a lighting? I love shutters. Its cool to clothe them in winter nights or have only one window open for light of the sun and the others are part of the insolation concept. I saw brown bears jump into doors. Thats why I love Dick Proenecke door style . "they are shuttert" means you nail them with boards??? That is anonther concept.@@MountainMariner

[@bigal7125]

I'dve used the drone on that bear recon mission.

[@MountainMariner]

The authorities frown upon using drones for anything hunt related. Soon I’ll be putting the drone up for good because of the regulations.

[@rfalberti]

Hey Big Ed how are you sir been a while glad you posted a video brother......

[@MountainMariner]

Yes it’s been awhile but I’ll try to get some video done this time home.

[@Suzie-he9ni]

That bear seems like it might get aggressive. Not afraid of the light or gun. I hope you didn't just nick him and he comes back mad. Great to see you home. The footage of landscape and tracks was great 👍

[@MountainMariner]

All the bears seem much smaller this year. I haven’t seen a fat one yet this summer. So I believe all of them are more aggressive this year.

[@Suzie-he9ni]

@@MountainMariner That's horrible. I hope they're not suffering from lack of food.

[@MountainMariner]

They are. Very few berries this year and they are all small too. We had a long spring so the bears came out of hibernation late, cool summer and what appears to be an early winter right around the corner. Lots of bears won’t do well in hibernation this winter.

[@Chris_at_Home]

@@MountainMarinerLarson Creek had a good sockeye run this year so the brown bears should be happy. I had a few black bears being pests, but like you I have tags.

[@MountainMariner]

That’s good to hear for the grizzlies. Not so much for the black bears but there’s no shortage of them around here. Way too many around here and they don’t get any hunting pressure at all up here.

[@richnusser6079]

Hey Ed, it’s great to see a new video. It’s Always beautiful where you call home. I have a odd question, have you or do you see any sign of Sasquatch there? I would be willing to bet you have them around your neck of the woods. I was just wondering since you live so remote.

[@MountainMariner]

No Sasquatch sightings or signs. No worries about Sasquatch unless he messes with my ATV seat!

[@bobuncle6962]

Would it be worth the time to fill the low spots with wood? I am thinking a bunch of side by side thin trees that will act as a a bridge of sorts. Loggers use them around where I am to fill the low spots. They use the tops, of the trees they cut down.

[@MountainMariner]

It wouldn’t be worth it for the 3-4 months without snow. There is one spot I need to do that though. It becomes impassable and cuts my logging trail short.

[@johninalaska9563]

Hey Ed, the bear did a number on your seat. I think you should have used Gorilla tape, they say it's tougher than Duct tape, lol. The rain certainly doesn't do any good for your trail. Trudging off through the Bush looking for a wounded bear can be an experience in itself, be careful. When I am in bear country I load my shotgun with a beanbag round first and then back it up with 12ga. slugs. I hope you stay goes well for you this time, enjoy.

[@MountainMariner]

That’s a great idea John. I could hire a Gorilla to sit on my ATV when I’m not using it!

[@johninalaska9563]

@@MountainMariner LOL

[@primitivestar8564]

How much time does flying save vs driving? Love seeing all the wildlife, but they are bad visitors 😬

[@MountainMariner]

I only drive between Talkeetna and Valdez. The charter helicopter is booked from Talkeetna to my cabin only. Only black bears and porcupine give me any grief out here.

[@markmeyer9571]

Good to see you home. Love your videos.!! is that a Sig Sauer X 10 10mm?

[@MountainMariner]

G20.

[@MyAlaska12]

have you considered putting up an electric fence around your buildings and camp fire area? Or at least around the area where you park your wheeler and snowmachines? The rain has been horrible in regards to getting anything done.

[@MountainMariner]

A fence is out of the question due to rock and very uneven terrain. My new workshop build will address protective parking spaces.

[@ontoitaussie7390]

Ed what a view from your home. Stunning watching that weather roll in and out those mountains. Enjoy your month home and watch out for those bears

[@wobdeehomestead]

Looks like someone needs a future wood shed?

[@MountainMariner]

Yes I do! Next year right I plan on building one right by the cabin up on the rock. It needs to be close and in a spot that doesn’t get deep snowdrifts and there’s really only one place that fits the requirements.

[@wildprapor]

Отличное такси! =) Ведёшь - сам?

[@MountainMariner]

No. The charter pilot does all that. Maybe one day I’ll fly but it’s not a priority.

[@christinebursey4976]

Nice seat repair,was wondering how long is your taxi ride to home?

[@MountainMariner]

It takes about 20-30 minutes to fly here from town.

[@campinvibes]

Hi, Ed! Thank you for a next great video! What helmet brand are you using here?

[@MountainMariner]

It’s a Petzl Vertex. Don’t buy the forestry shield if you get one. Waste of money. The visors and ear muffs are perfect though.

[@campinvibes]

@@MountainMariner Just trying to find good helmet for woodworking, would you recommend Vertex series?

[@MountainMariner]

Yes. They make a vented and non-vented model. The Petzl Strato is one step up from the Vertex for about another 30.00 bucks.

[@SuperEholmes]

I was getting close to asking if you ever had to shoot any bears. I love the scenery but not sure if I could live where they live. I enjoy your videos and I recently just came across them, going to share them with my family.

[@MountainMariner]

Thanks for watching and sharing!

[@pereazy3489]

Hey there, welcome back in the mountain. I just have one question for someone that doesent really know much about the alaskan way. Isnt an Air Taxi quite expensive? I understand that getting there on atv would prove rather difficult but what does something like that cost? And how do you get your supplies up there and how much would that cost to transport up there?

[@MountainMariner]

Yes the helicopter taxi ride is expensive. But I only pay that bill 6 times a year. It’s one of my only bills. So it’s not bad with all things considered. It’s like paying a $800 a month apartment bill but only 6 times a year. Wheeled vehicles cannot make it to my cabin. Any wheeled vehicle. Supplies come in by helicopter and ski or float plane. 95% helicopter because plane pilots don’t care for my lake.

[@ashleyanderson2859]

What do you carry in your chest rig? Seat turned out pretty good.

[@MountainMariner]

G20 with high velocity copper pills.

[@Suzie-he9ni]

Hopefully that wasn't a mom bear with cubs that you shot. I'd hate to see babies left by themselves. You've got to be safe though. Take care Ed.

[@MountainMariner]

Definitely a male.

[@timjk32]

how many acres do u own

[@MountainMariner]

12 acres.

[@lipsticklodge7526]

Was that an electric fence that u activated near the end?

[@MountainMariner]

Yes. It’s a powerful 6 joule 50 mile charger, protecting 100 feet of porch.

[@lipsticklodge7526]

I figured that...if a bear will rip a seat apart it can also rip a house apart...good move 4 u! We have black bears here..not seen often but they r here as evidenced from lots of scat sightings...

[@timjk32]

can you only get to your place by helicopter

[@MountainMariner]

It’s the best way. But in the summer you could hike in but you’d need a packraft to cross water obstacles. And it would take you about 20 hours. In the winter once everything is frozen then you can get to town by snowmachine.

[@NorwegianHomestead]

If you cant fix it with duct-tape, then you haven't used enough :p

[@MountainMariner]

Seems to be working but I do need to buy a new seat.