Alaska Bear story "River Mike"
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- čas přidán 20. 08. 2024
- River Mike has lived in a tent camp in remote interior Alaska for 20+ years, after an encounter with a black bear coupled with his failing health Mike decided to re join society. My son and I were part of the effort to extract Mike and his camp. My son shot this video while he walked us through the event. This is not the entire video due as it was sent to me via text. I think i have some other clips and a lot of pictures i will upload if this draws any interest. I found Mike absolutely entertaining and the environment he lived in astounding. We had to take an airboat up river, then wade through a channel to a slough where we paddled a canoe to a trail and hiked about a half mile to his camp. There is no road access at all
His body is so frail but his mind and voice seems 30 years younger than he looks. What a character, this old man. Wouldnt mind camping there and listening to his stories around the fire.
Yeah that would be epic and a blessing
Old man? Hes 26. Hard life in the bush. :) Great story, seems like a fun guy to be around. Cheers
@@garpikemike1 😂😂👍
what age does he look? it doesn't say anywhere!
@@c0nstantin86 at least 65
An experience like that will separate the men from the mountain men
Wow....what a story. I could listen to him all day. Sir can I buy you a beer and tell me more stories of your life in the bush...wow again
Tony if you are ever in Fairbanks let me know, I know where Mike is staying for now anyway and would be happy to introduce you. He is a very good story teller and has lived quite a life.
Yep! Wow!
This is why they invented holsters.
Holsters are for gay cowboys
We are human and sometimes we let our guard down.
6:10 That moment you can tell how helpless he felt against the bear. During the incident the swipe from the bear probably didn't phase him much, but upon recall the reality of how much danger he was in scared the shit outta him.
I commend you for keeping your cool, man. That's crazy.
What a story.....he had me sitting on the edge....great personality......wonderful man...he could make a living by telling his Life Story.....thanks a lot for posting....
2233golf2 I wish I had the rest of the video to post. The bear came back and Mike shot it right in front of his tent. A message was sent out and the troopers came out. My son and I were recruited to help move Mike out of the bush. It took several trips 2 airboats a canoe and a whole lot of effort. It was eye opening to find someone who lives like this. Temperatures drop to -60 here. Mike had lived in his tent for 17 years I think
Bert Martin Hey thanks for the update......
He's a great story teller
God Bless you River Mike , keep living free Brother .
I always tell people dont get to comfortable in a grizzly enviornement and let your guard down his guard was down which is why he felt he could wander around unarmed
As a Canadian, I mostly see black bears, I wish we could bare arms at all times for personal safety, I would explore deeper into the mountains for sure. Bear spray is a joke.
@@wcoastlaurie-7-2 hardly a joke. River mike himself said it saved him even though it was expired. What is striking is that, according to comments the bear returned.
@@americansafarico a bear that's decided your food the bear spray won't help you. There's plenty of proof on some of the man eaters they've killed had the bear on their heads and body. Only thing it does is make you spicy.
@@jefferymccormick3380 would love to see that proof. The evidence I’ve seen suggests that properly applied bear spray turns the around. The issue is if it wears off and they decide you’re food and they come back around….
You could see in him that it was as if it happened yesterday . What an experience, humbling to say the least.
I would sure love to learn from this man. I'm sure he has all kinds of skills and knowledge to teach
One heck of an experience. He told it well.... his knees buckled and emotion arose when he spoke of the Bear coming at him. Thanks for sharing. Enjoyed hearing this.
Wow what an incredible man, and an amazing story.
Simply amazing! What an interesting guy. 100% telling the truth
What an amazing story. I'm so glad he came through this okay.
One that came face to face with a giant and alive to tell!
What a relief when he finally gets to the spray...epic until the end! Holy cow
I’m an old man also homesteader 58 that’s a good bear story. Closer than mine have been, black and brown
Great story. Thankfully you kept your cool.
This is why we have youtube. Amazing story
This guy’s life would make a great book and a wonderful movie.
Great story thank you for sharing very lucky man right there he was smart in every move he made saved himself
I believe every word of that story!!! Terrifying.
I love guys like River Mike. Exactly why I live in the country.
Marvellous old fella who showed great presence of mind under huge stress. So glad he was unharmed and lived to tell us this amazing story. Thank you.
Dam Thank the Good Lord 🙏 he survived. I pray he's still alive.. God Bless him.
What a story! Teaches us a few things....👍😎🇨🇦🌲🐻
What a good old boy.
No body could have told it better than you. for sounds and looks like full truth. You lucky spirit helping step by step . 😬🤢🥶 🤔😁👍✌️
I'm so proud and impressed by you
He was lucky this was not a grizzly bear. Nice story, would love to watch more of this interview.
Sorry it got cut off, the story ends by the bear coming back that same night. Keep in mind this is summer in Alaska so it is daylight. The bear came right at his tent and he shot it just a few feet outside the door. Somehow Mike was able to get word that he needed help and the troopers came out and helped dispose of the bear.
Was a grizzly bear.
Grizzly cub that's why he got lucky. It was curious but curiosity gets a man killed
@@Animal-Reaction-Clips in this case curiosity gets the bear killed.
It’s all so incredible, it has to be true - just like he told it. Wow! Except when he hightailed it to the outhouse to change his shorts!
Yes tell us the rest if the story. I bet this guy has a lot of amazing stories he could tell.
i very much doubt that
He's since passed away.
My guess is mid 70's
That’s a man that knows how great life is! That close and cheating death!
What a great story! So glad that you are here to tell it!
Way to hold your ground River Mike ! and you survived to tell the story . If the bear wanted to maul you .. pretty sure he could .
Amazing story of bravery on your part. Glad you're ok.
You know he's not gonna read your comment right
Absolute truth. What a story.
Amazing story! God kept you around to tell the tale!
Thanks for the story... I Gold Mine and Metal Detect in BC CANADA and think I should always have a Little pocket pepper spray just for cases like this
You Should I have a lot more than pepper spray sir
@@SlimeArtPaintArt like clean underwear... long stick... as a Canadian I don't fear the Bear I respect it and want to understand it... its like a Dog sticking its nose up a Skunks A**
Have bear spray that won't fit in your pocket. Don't let a little pocket pepper spray give you confidence or make you feel safe. It will be futile when the time comes. I wouldn't be pit there without bear spray, good knife, good rifle or some sort of kickass 10 guage and finally a good pistol. Even then I wouldn't feel safe but I'd at least feel like I got a fighting chance because in the end did you plan on going back home after this trip. If not then just take yourself but if you do make sure you got the tools if you need them. Even all those things won't guarantee you making it out unscathed but you will hopefully be able to make it. Better than surviving the attack but having no hope of getting out of there because of injuries and all you can do is wait for time, that bear or a different one to come back and finish the job. That's one wait would never want to live through. In the end it's your call since you will be the one experiencing it bur you're crazy if you've made multiple trips and are just now considering a little pocket pepper spray. Also scary it took this video to get you to that point, video shouldn't have been necessary. I'm all for overkill though and being prepared. I'll be the one who looks like Rambo in the forest. If I had a hand grenade I'd even take that for if it gets too bad I'm not going alone.
@@user-ym2kb1cp5e I have a LARGE $50 Bear spray that will shoot 30ft I keep in my truck or boat... I also have many Rifles and Shot Gs.... I don't FEAR the Bears... My comment says out Metal Detecting with Gold hunting gear... NOT crap my pants because I'm scared of being in the bush... My Brother and I have been out by our selves hunting and fishing in the bush since we were 5-6 years old in western Alberta Canada a Moose is more dangerous than a Bear... Understanding and respecting the Animals is Key... I wouldn't spray a Bear unless it was inches away and in attack mode then it would get a shot right up the nose...
@@user-ym2kb1cp5e My Brother 14 and my friend 13 and myself 13 were out Duck Hunting when we came upon a Large hole in a Old Beaver Lodge... My brother Crawled into the hole halfway My friend and I were sitting on each side of the hole... My brother came back out and said he heard growing inside the hole and thought it was a coyote... As my friend and I were looking into the hole a Blond Black Bear popped its head out we were All about 12 inches away from the Bears Head my brother on his knees sitting in front of the hole my Friend and Myself on the side... Lucky the bear just went back inside the hole... We cleared the Area....
Good thinking, Sir happy you are ok.
Wow!!!….I’m kinda city/country guy in Pennsylvania. If I’m ever out in the woods, i carry a .357…. You just never know.
WOW! What a cute little old man ❤️. I can't believe he was so calm.
thank you sir
When I saw the thumbnail I thought for sure it was a photo of the late John Luster. He had some good Alaska bear stories.
What a story brave brave man
That dude is OG
Geez Louise. Glad he lived to to tell the tale.
I want to be River Mike when I grow up!
One hell of an LSD experience!
Now why the hell hasn't the Discovery channel done a show on River Mike? Very knowledgeable and interesting guy. I hope his health get better.
Wow amazing how much bears 🐻 have moves that are simple they can get you any day of the week it's all about if it's your lucky day or not
Bet he has some amazing sasquatch stories
Wow great fuckin story and video! Thanks for sharing this.
Great story I believe it 100% what this guy got to gain or lose Nowt he's a happy old mountain Man, very lucky his calm demeanor worked against what sounding a adolescent curious bear, keep a firearm on your hip and blade up keep safe in bear country
Good video!
What a Man!!!!
I would of loved to hang out with this dude and trhow back some cold ones if i were still drinking and listen to his war stories. Not here though. Somewhere where theres people, concrete, buildings, cars, hospitals, first responders.
That’s one heck of an experience wow glad he shared it!
The way he tells the story I know it exactly happened this way amazing you caught the reenactment on camera
Yea they ain’t going to be any sleeping that night! I would have packed my stuff and got out!
That he is here telling of the occurrence is a miracle. Me: hanging on every word he said......
This man's voice and way of speaking doesn't match his appearance at all. This could be one of the most terrifying stories I've ever heard!
AWESOME STORY🥵
The best and most important part of the story was he stayed calm and didn't panic and the bear knew this
interested in anything else about him that you might still have around.
I'm not with any company or organization. Just a guy who loves learning about life in the Adirondacks, Rockies, Alaska and things like that.
Thanks for sharing this.
Cool story Bro!
We need to hear more of his stories !!!
Life What a ride.
Interesting old guy. I hope he'll consider moving into a village, but he probably won't.
Back 1971 I was scouting around the Yukon for mushrooms but before I did that I located the forestry center to log my presence when I was doing that the ranger then advised me sternly to be equipped with Hare Spray. That scared the bejesus outta me so just said “No No No” repeating that over and over as I slowly backed away, got in my jeep and hightailed er outta there never to return to the Tundra never again! I mean what in tarnation he’s talking about spraying rabbits 🐇
Wow. Interesting because that bear could’ve killed him at any second before he was able to get the spray. God bless you made it out alive.
Now all we need is a camp fire some whiskey and I can hear how many more story’s he got to tell
i usually keep this stuff cut down but those days are over. that's deep.
That’s was truly close and shocking near death bear mauling experience, and he is telling it exactly as it happened.
Curious...How's River Mike doing these day's?
Wow. Incredible
Awesome
He's Lovely
Goodman Mike...I hope your still going buddy...
I work in the woods of northern Canada.
That story is VERY POSSIBLE
I have video of me chasing a bear out of my buddies pick up truck with an axe
At the end he kicked the bucket !
I think I would have shit my pants.
I have had encountered bears, but never that close, that is darn scary.
I guess just stay calm.
Why did I watch this at 2:am just before I go to bed? CRAP!
I wonder if this is why we're fascinated by fire?
Absolutely part of it. Ancestral neural pulse. The dark was a time if being prey.
That's why you always carry your weapon on you. Especially in the wilderness.
Woww would you believe that... nice story. Gianni Russo..... haha
Lucky man
What a guy 😳
Of all the accounts of bear attacks I have no doubts that Yogi Bear knows when to attack, cos very few people have their trusted gun at the time... 🤔🤔🤔
I had to tap out I couldn't take it anymore
Quite a guy.
And 8 minutes in he realized it wasn't a bear ... it was Bert kreischer
I need a smoke after just hearing about it!
4:55
I'd be thinking the same thing but I'd probably be doing it more than thinking it
Has he ever seen a Bigfoot or anything weird while living out there I wonder??
I have seen 2 of their kind with long faces and claws
probably not as bigfoot is not real ya dumb dumb.
I wouldn't doubt it. I've talked with a few different old time outdoorsmen and they usually keep quiet about things like that, but apparently there are some things you just accept after living in the wild for a long time. Heard a few bigfoot stories from guys who lived in the remote parts of upper Canada.
@@Nantosuelta I've got a picture close up
@@Animal-Reaction-Clips can I see it?
The archives of Daniel Boone say he killed 110 bears in one season and some of them with his Bowie knife and Tomahawk. back when men were men !
Wow
This guy is lucky
Glad he survived that. I know he's an old fellow, but he should get someone to at least build him a log structure there...something he can retreat into when a bear comes around again. That tent is nothing but a cocktail napkin to a bear.
Here's a thought . He could have used his cigarette to light something around like dry tinder to create a torch. Might have scared off the bear.
Yeah just a thought if he Tried it he would be death because you get a Lack of attention and that is the moment were the bear will Attack you. And you need to Pick it from the Buttom same thing instand attack