One of the most beautiful places in Alaska with some of the biggest bears in North America are on Kodiak Island.
The refuge contains seven major rivers and about 100 streams. It is a spawning ground for all five species of Pacific Ocean salmon, steelhead, Dolly Varden, and several other fish species; as well as a nesting ground for 250 species of bird, many of which feed on salmon. The refuge has only six native species of mammals: Kodiak brown bear, red fox, river otter, ermine, little brown bat and tundra vole. The non-native mammals Sitka black-tailed deer, mountain goat, Roosevelt elk, feral reindeer, marten, red squirrel, snowshoe hare, and beaver were introduced to the archipelago between the 1920s and 1950s and are now hunted and trapped. An estimated 2,300 brown bears inhabit the refuge, and an estimated 1200 bald eagles nest here every year.
The Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge includes the southwestern two-thirds of Kodiak Island, Uganik Island, the Red Peaks area of Afognak Island and all of Ban Island in the archipelago. It encompasses 1,990,418 acres (8,054.94 km2). The refuge is administered from offices in Kodiak.
The island is an emerald gem receiving approximately six feet of rain per year. Rugged 4,000 foot mountains run the length of Kodiak Island and are surrounded by a lush coastline fissured with fjords and inlets.
The Kodiak Wildlife Refuge is home to an estimated 2,300 brown bears. Feasting on the plentiful salmon, these coastal Alaskan brown bears reach impressive proportions and offer excellent Alaska bear viewing opportunities. Average sizes for males range from 600 to 900 pounds.
Although often referred to as carnivores, approximately 70% of a Kodiak bear’s diet comes from various sources of vegetation, including roots, sedge grasses, and berries. The Kodiak Refuge is also important bird habitat. There are at least 600 nesting pairs of bald eagles, one of the highest densities of nesting eagles in North America.
More than 250 species of birds live in or visit the Kodiak Refuge, while more than 1.5 million seabirds overwinter in the near-shore waters. The refuge provides spawning and rearing habitat for five species of Pacific salmon.
There are no roads in the Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge but the area’s wilderness character creates an abundance of outdoor adventure opportunities. Alaska visitors can enjoy hunting, fishing, wildlife viewing, photography, rafting, and camping in Kodiak.
The Refuge headquarters and visitors center are located five miles south of downtown Kodiak and about half a mile from the airport.
TripScene gives Kodiak Island a 10 (on scale 1-10)
