Churchill Polar Bears
Arctic & Subarctic
Mammals
Beginner
Canada — Churchill, Manitoba
October to November
Overview
The polar bear capital of the world as bears gather waiting for Hudson Bay to freeze.
Equipment
- Extreme cold gear
- Camera with telephoto
- Binoculars
- Hand warmers
Safety Notes
- Temperatures reach -30°C with wind chill
- Never leave the tundra buggy
Identification Tips
1
Bears gather along the coast waiting for ice formation
2
Tundra buggies provide safe elevated viewing
3
Sparring males engage in play-fighting
Species Checklist
| Species | Likelihood | Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Polar Bear | common | Coastline and tundra |
| Arctic Fox | common | Following polar bears for scraps |
| Snowy Owl | uncommon | Open tundra |
| Ptarmigan | common | Willow thickets, turning white |