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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
@@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....
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.
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
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.
Bert, is this man still with us? I would love to have a chat with him. There's a rather large podcast that would have him if he's comfortable with that, too.
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.
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 🐇
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... 🤔🤔🤔
![Man Born in 1853 Talks About Childhood in the 1860s- Enhanced Video & Audio [60 fps]](/img/n.gif)
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
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!
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......
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.
He's a great story teller
An experience like that will separate the men from the mountain men
God Bless you River Mike , keep living free Brother .
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.
You could see in him that it was as if it happened yesterday . What an experience, humbling to say the least.
Simply amazing! What an interesting guy. 100% telling the truth
What a relief when he finally gets to the spray...epic until the end! Holy cow
This is why they invented holsters.
Holsters are for gay cowboys
We are human and sometimes we let our guard down.
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!
Great story. Thankfully you kept your cool.
Great story thank you for sharing very lucky man right there he was smart in every move he made saved himself
What a story! Teaches us a few things....👍😎🇨🇦🌲🐻
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.
This guy’s life would make a great book and a wonderful movie.
What a good old boy.
What a great story! So glad that you are here to tell it!
I love guys like River Mike. Exactly why I live in the country.
Amazing story! God kept you around to tell the tale!
I believe every word of that story!!! Terrifying.
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
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.
I'm so proud and impressed by you
Amazing story of bravery on your part. Glad you're ok.
You know he's not gonna read your comment right
I’m an old man also homesteader 58 that’s a good bear story. Closer than mine have been, black and brown
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!
Dam Thank the Good Lord 🙏 he survived. I pray he's still alive.. God Bless him.
thank you sir
Good thinking, Sir happy you are ok.
No body could have told it better than you. for sounds and looks like full truth. You lucky spirit helping step by step . 😬🤢🥶 🤔😁👍✌️
This is why we have youtube. Amazing story
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....
WOW! What a cute little old man ❤️. I can't believe he was so calm.
That’s a man that knows how great life is! That close and cheating death!
Absolute truth. What a story.
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.
That dude is OG
What a story brave brave man
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 .
That’s one heck of an experience wow glad he shared it!
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.
We need to hear more of his stories !!!
One hell of an LSD experience!
Curious...How's River Mike doing these day's?
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
Good video!
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.
Geez Louise. Glad he lived to to tell the tale.
AWESOME STORY🥵
Wow. Incredible
What a Man!!!!
I want to be River Mike when I grow up!
Cool story Bro!
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.
Bet he has some amazing sasquatch stories
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
The way he tells the story I know it exactly happened this way amazing you caught the reenactment on camera
Life What a ride.
Want to know the brand of that bear spray 🤔
That he is here telling of the occurrence is a miracle. Me: hanging on every word he said......
At the end he kicked the bucket !
Goodman Mike...I hope your still going buddy...
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.
The best and most important part of the story was he stayed calm and didn't panic and the bear knew this
Awesome
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.
Bert, is this man still with us? I would love to have a chat with him.
There's a rather large podcast that would have him if he's comfortable with that, too.
He's Lovely
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?
Yea they ain’t going to be any sleeping that night! I would have packed my stuff and got out!
Now all we need is a camp fire some whiskey and I can hear how many more story’s he got to tell
Lucky man
Woww would you believe that... nice story. Gianni Russo..... haha
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.
What good was the tent going to do? Just for bear spray?
I am his Great Grand Daughter is there a way to get the whole video
samma Gensman ask your family
4:55
I'd be thinking the same thing but I'd probably be doing it more than thinking it
Still live?
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!
heyy where are the other parts of the video? it's been more 5 years and how's Mike doing now?
It’s on my old phone maybe I can find them. And he died
@@huntermartin1547when and how did he die?? yes upload if you could find those videos
What a guy 😳
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.
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.
W all due respect I’m an Alaskan and I have questions.
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 🐇
Quite a guy.
Why did I watch this at 2:am just before I go to bed? CRAP!
Wow
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
I had to tap out I couldn't take it anymore
Bear spray Lol! Try a .338 win mag. What’s bear spray gonna do?
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... 🤔🤔🤔
“Bear attacks man , eats man!” Monkey reports attack on man and gets rewarded !