Aggressive action by a brown bear feeding on silver salmon has prompted state officials to close a portion of the popular ¾-mile Rodak Nature Trail and viewing decks near the Eagle River Nature Center.
Colin Tyler Bogucki, a part-time volunteer at the center, had a frightening encounter with the bear, which he believes is a 3-year-old sow, and said the closure was best for both the bears and visitors.
"With her growing intolerance of humans, it could be a matter of time before she decides to attack somebody she sees as a threat to her fishing grounds," Bogucki wrote in an email.
The nature center website now warns that "this closure will be strictly enforced -- DO NOT ENTER."
According to Bogucki, who describes himself as an avid wildlife photographer, the situation has become increasingly dangerous over the last week.
"I have watched this bear's behavior become increasingly aggressive toward people viewing her while she is fishing. She appears somewhat desperate with winter approaching, trying to pack on as much weight as possible before denning.
"Just one week ago, while leading a fall photography class, she didn't pay us any mind as we observed and photographed her going about her business for more than an hour. Since then, on more than one occasion, she bluff-charged at us as well as Nature Center visitors while they were on the viewing decks."
The bear has been fishing for about two months, and Bogucki said it was the only animal visible from the viewing decks -- the Beaver Viewing Deck and the Salmon Viewing Deck that afford views of a spring-fed creek that flows into Eagle River -- even though other bears were in the area.
Earlier this week, "I walked down to the smaller deck by myself in hopes of once again taking advantage of the opportunity to photograph her before she seeks higher ground for winter slumber," he wrote. "When she appeared, I immediately sensed that something was awry.
"As usual, she picked up a rotting fish to gnaw on but quickly lost interest, at which point she seemed more intent on acknowledging my presence and asserting her dominance.
"She walked closer to the deck, which overlooks the waterway. The front of the deck is only about 5 feet off the ground with a wooden rail and open at the back, offering no protection should she decide to pursue.
"As she approached, she turned her gaze toward me and started walking toward the deck. Initially, I was expecting her to bluff charge, as she has done recently, but when she locked her eyes on me, it no longer felt like a bluff. This time it felt real."
"She continued toward the deck . . . I slowly backpedaled, saying 'Hey bear' in a calm voice until I was out of her field of vision, at which point she turned and walked back down to the creek and I breathed a huge sigh of relief."
The adjacent Albert Loop Trail was closed Aug. 7, as it has ever year since 1997, due to increasing bear activity in the area.
"Black and brown bears and their cubs at this time of year use the bridges and beaver dams as fishing platforms and the adjacent brush and trees for cover," Department of Natural Resources Communications Coordinator Elizabeth Bluemink said at the time.