Excursions

Question

Hello, sport for we posting. Thank you for your help. We have the opportunity to take two different excursions in mid June one being much longer floating on the Chilkat River and the other much shorter floating on the Chilkoot lake. I love nature and wildlife photography and am thrilled to get to go to Haines!!!

We see bald eagles here at home so I’m excited about seeing them but more excited and hope to see bears and or moose. Can you tell me which one is more likely to see wildlife?

Answer

Haines, Alaska, is a fantastic place for wildlife photography, and both the Chilkat River and Chilkoot Lake excursions offer excellent opportunities. However, they differ in duration, scenery, and wildlife density, which affects your chances of seeing bears, moose, and other animals.

Chilkat River float trip:

This is a longer excursion that covers more river miles and generally takes a half or full day. The Chilkat River area is famous for its wildlife, particularly in June when salmon begin returning to the river. This attracts bears, eagles, and other wildlife.

Bears are more commonly seen along the riverbanks during this time, especially near salmon spawning areas.
Moose sightings are possible along quieter, forested sections of the river.
Bald eagles are abundant along the Chilkat, often seen in large numbers feeding on fish.
Because of the longer route, the Chilkat River excursion offers multiple vantage points and varied habitats, improving your chances for diverse wildlife photography.

Chilkoot Lake float trip:

This is a shorter excursion, usually a few hours, and focuses on the lake environment rather than the river. It is scenic and peaceful, with good photo opportunities, but wildlife sightings are less frequent compared to the Chilkat River.

You are more likely to see waterfowl, otters, and occasionally moose near the lake.
Bears are rarer on this shorter lake route, as they typically focus on river corridors where fish are abundant.
Bald eagles can still be seen, but usually in smaller numbers compared to the Chilkat River.

Summary:

If your main goal is to photograph bears and moose, the Chilkat River excursion is your best option due to higher wildlife density and varied habitats.
If you prefer a shorter, more relaxed trip with opportunities for lake and bird photography, the Chilkoot Lake trip is enjoyable but less likely to deliver large mammals.
For optimal photography, consider a guided Chilkat River float with early morning or late afternoon departures when animals are most active.

Overall, for wildlife-focused photography, the longer Chilkat River excursion will maximize your chances to see bears, moose, and large numbers of bald eagles, making it the better choice for your interests.

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