Page 60 - Breath of the Bear

Kodiak Island Expeditions grocery store. I have no problem living in the
by Suzanne Graber-Alvarez Alaskan bush, but sometimes it’s nice to have
fresh produce,” says Jen. The city of Kodiak is
For 25 years, Jen Culbertson worked for located on Kodiak Island, which is 100 miles
the state of Alaska as a river ranger, boat long and the largest island in Alaska. Home to
ranger, and a backcountry patrol officer. Her one of the top three fishing ports, the island
husband, Willy Fulton, has over 25 years of boasts hundreds of boats and crab vessels, 12
experience flying tourists, mail, and medivacs shore-based processing plants, and the largest
throughout Alaska. Put these two together U.S. Coast Guard base in the country. Known
and you have the power couple of Kodiak as the “emerald island,” Kodiak is a magnet
Island. Though Jen doesn’t remember their for wildlife enthusiasts looking to explore the
first meeting, Willy says he remembers flying beauty of the island’s natural resources or for
her into Shuyak Island State Park when she photographers wanting to capture the iconic
was a park ranger. Fate would have them meet Kodiak bear, the largest brown bear species in
again several years later after Jen left the park the world.
service to start her own wilderness guiding Kodiak Island Expeditions is distinctive the animal. You have to respect what the
service. Their love for nature and adventure among guiding services as they offer a bear is trying to tell you in order to keep your
drew them together and formed their new tremendous amount of expertise in safely customers safe.” Currently, they offer half-
business, Kodiak Island Expedition. “Kodiak navigating the backcountry of Alaska. “As a day and full-day bear viewing tours in Katmai
has a 1.5 million acre wildlife refuge, plus a guide, it is most important that you understand National Park. Each tour includes two hours
of flight time where Willy shares his love and
history of the many hidden and special places
that few visitors get to see. On land, Jen guides
groups to where the bears are, allowing visitors
to get up close and personal, while at the same
time respecting the bears’ normal routines.
During one guiding tour, the group was sitting
on a log watching a mother bear and her cubs
fish in a stream. Tired of fishing, or maybe just
needing a break from caring for her offspring,
the mother bear sauntered up to the group, sat
down next to them on the log, and watched
her cubs. “It was an incredible moment,” says
Jen. “Many people think there are bear attacks
all the time in Alaska and really there isn’t. To
be this close to an apex predator is a humbling
and awe-inspiring experience.”

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