Observing the bear in Ruka, Lapland passes in the east of Kuusamo near the Russian border, just 30 minutes from the center of Kuusamo. This is the northernmost area for observing bears in Finland, and as such is the only place with 24-hour daylight during the summer to watch them all night without the need for specialized equipment.
Watching a trip to Ruka usually starts at around 6 pm and will last several hours or until night until morning. Observation of the bear occurs in the skin, solid structure, looking into the area of feeding of the bear and is done in a knowledgeable pressing guide.
Ruka Bear Hunting Season
Ruka bear viewing season - from the beginning of May to August 19. Bear-watching company Karhu-Kuusamo reported a 99% chance of seeing bears during a trip with them during the 2009 season.
Usually bears come to this feeding area, which the eye hides, during the first 10 days of May, and then during the rest of May they will come, but it is better to book the entire night trip, rather than the evening one, in order to get more chances to see them.
Mating occurs from the end of May to the end of June, and this is very unpredictable. Perhaps this is good, perhaps very quiet in this area. During these times, it is better to contact the management company and ask what the situation is, how it is impossible to predict.
High season - from the beginning of July to August 19, and at this time you have a 99% chance to see bears while in the skin.
The season ends on August 19, when the hunting season begins, and bears are very afraid of people and retreat to Russia.
How many bears will you see?
From late May to mid-July, these bears come to feed alone, usually feeding from 10 to fifteen minutes, and then leaving, and the next - after a while. By mid-July, it would be unusual to see 2 or 3 at the same time, and in August it was known that 5 or more people would come to the feeding area at the same time.
The guides speak excellent English and are very informed about the area and the bears.
Bears and their habits
Bears in Finland are brown bears and are very shy and afraid of people, because you need to watch them in the skin. They spend time moving between Finland and Russia, being in Russia during the day, since the nearest house is more than 60 km away, and then enters Finland at night when people are sleeping.
They can weigh up to 300 kg and are bears.
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