Wanna get up close, personal AND safe with Brown Bears? Most of you have seen this place on PBS specials and now's your chance to sit among the mighty carnivores of Alaska and it only comes along once a year!
The application deadline for lottery permits to visit Alaska’s premier brown bear viewing site at McNeil River State Game Sanctuary is fast approaching. Online applications must be submitted by midnight on March 1, or mailed and received by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game by March 1, 2014.
Online applications and printable application forms are available at www.mcneilriver.adfg.alaska.gov through the “Permits” tab and “Viewing Permits” link. More information about visiting McNeil River is available on the website or by calling (907) 267-2257.
A nonrefundable application fee of $25 per person is required and up to three people may apply together as a group. Applications are entered into a lottery and if drawn, Alaska residents must pay a $150 permit fee and nonresidents $350.
Located 100 air miles west of Homer, the McNeil River hosts the world’s largest known gathering of brown bears; hundreds of people apply each year for permits to watch bears drawn to the river to feed on migrating salmon.
When you look at the map on the left you'll see Homer, Alaska. That would be the least expensive departure point to get to McNeil River State Game Sanctuary and Refuge -there are no roads to it.
Homer, Alaska is about a 5 hour drive from Anchorage and it sits in Kachemack Bay-it is BEAUTIFUL!
Here is a list of Homer Air Taxis that can help with your arrangements:
Bald Mountain Air Service Inc.
PO Box 3134 (6058 Bald Mt. Ave.) Homer, AK 99603
(907) 235-7969 (800) 478-7969 Fax. (907) 235-6602
Beluga Lake Float Plane
2886 Bay Vista Place Homer, AK 99603
(907) 235-8256
Homer Air
Box 302 Homer, AK 99603
(907) 235-8591 (907) 235-2301(fax)
Homer Air
Hughes Air
PO Box 9 Homer, AK 99603
(907) 235-4229 (907) 235-1803 fax
Hughes Air
Northwind Aviation
PO Box 646 Homer, AK 99603
(907) 235-7482
This is a remarkable adventure! Good luck with the drawing!
