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Wild Brown Bear has 26 photography hides to choose in various surroundings, directions and lights. The hides are located a short distance from the Bear Centre ranging from 500-900 meters.
When choosing the hide to photograph it is recommended to pay attention to photographic goals. From every hide you can photograph bears equally, but settings vary in different areas and hides. Importantly, the terrain is not worn, giving the desired feel of untouched wilderness in the photos.
Hides 1-12 and 15-25 are for 1-2 people. Hides 1 and 7 have space for 3 people if necessary
Hides 13 and 14 are for 1 person
Hide A it has space for 4 people, it is suitable for families.
See the Hidemap here
Equipment in hide
All hides have a chair, bed, mattress, sleeping bag, duvet, pillow, toilet-pail and paper, 3/8” mounting screws for tripod head, and a heater when needed in April.
Sleeping is possible in the hides, but when photographing, it is not recommendable to sleep since bears may come at any time. Accommodation reservation allows sleeping during the day after spending the night inside the hide.
Photographing
Inside the hide, more than just one camera can be used because hides have many spots for camera bodies. The photographic openings face the same direction or in different directions depending on the hide. Two person hides have a minimum of four photographic openings, one-person-hides have different photographic directions for three and four cameras.
A tripod is not necessary because photography is possible using the plank that is in the hide. On the plank, a tripod head can be attached or a beanbag can be used. If you wish to use the full tripod this is still possible in the two person hides where the front wall is oblique.
The tripod head can be moved cross-ways on the wooden plank and hides contain bolts to attach these to. The camera can be rotated 120-160 degrees in photographic openings because its fabrics have been sewn together and there is no bar between the openings to hamper rotation.
Inside the hide it is possible to change the lens of the camera when done quietly. When photographing it is forbidden to use flash or flashlight in any circumstances. Leaving the hide in the evening, at night or in the morning before the set period of time is also forbidden. All rules given in start info must be followed.
Hide 1
Hide 1 is a good all-round hide. It has excellent views with 4 photography directions. These openings offer different type of backgrounds, but also extra work to look all around and change window, when it is extremely important to move slowly and silently.
This hide has the closest vantage point to the rocky outcrop.
Sunrise and sunset photographs are both possible from hide 1. The sun rises to the left of the rocky outcrop. Behind the small pond, and will set behind the expanse of wetland to the west.
The Bears and Wolverines can pass very close, from 5-30 meters the hide. It is possible to make a wide array images from hide 1, using lenses from wide-angle up to 600 mm.
This hide is for 1-2 people. A maximum of 3 people on request.
Hide 2
Hide 2 is situated on the edge of pond facing North-East. It has 2 photography directions with beautiful sceneries over the pond and one to the head of pond towards hide 6.
As the pond is relatively small, reflections are common in calm weather. As the bears move along the bank, close to the water’s edge, it is possible to make some beautiful images with the bear and its reflection.
For the photographing to the rocks it is comparable to hide 1, distance between hides 1 and 2 is just 10 meters. Photographing to the opposite bank is easy and there is only 15 meters water between.
Left opening makes it possible to photograph with more water and forest as a background.
Evening sun shines from the behind of the hide, sun rises from the front.
Closest distance to bears can be 15 meters. Lenses from 100 mm up are good to use.
This hide is for 1-2 people.
Hide 3
Hide 3 is situated on the west side of the small pond. The eastern angle of view is perfect for sunrise backlighting, it is possible to create dramatic images when utilizing backlight and misty conditions.
Hide 3 are situated on the edge of the pond, and the distance to the opposite bank of the pond is about 25 meters. It is good for photograhing all sides of the pond because it is in the middle of western bank.
As the pond is relatively small, reflections are common in calm weather. As the bears move along the bank, close to the waters edge, it is possible to make some beautiful images with the bear and its reflection.
Hide 3 offers one of the best opportunities for reflection images. Lenses from 100 mm up are good to use.
This hide is for 1-2 people.
Hide 4
Hide 4 is situated on the west side of the small pond. The eastern angle of view is perfect for sunrise backlighting, it is possible to create dramatic images when utilizing backlight and misty conditions.
Hide 3 are situated on the edge of the pond, and the distance to the opposite bank of the pond is about 20 meters. This hide provides good views to the left corner of the pond, where distance is about 20 meters. Also photographing to right corner of pond is possible easily.
As the pond is relatively small, reflections are common in calm weather. As the bears move along the bank, close to the water’s edge, it is possible to make some beautiful images with the bear and its reflection.
Hide 4 is placed well for photographing to the swamp behind the pond. Lenses from 100 mm up are good to use.
This hide is for 1-2 people.
Hide 5
Hide 5 is situated on the west side of the small pond. The eastern angle of view is perfect for sunrise backlighting, it is possible to create dramatic images when utilizing backlight and misty conditions.
Hide 5 are situated on the edge of the pond, and the distance to the opposite bank of the pond is about 10 meters. There is excellent views to the left corner of the pond, where distance is about 10 meters. Also photographing to right corner of pond is possible easily with longer lens. Overall lenses from 50 mm up are good to use
As the pond is relatively small, reflections are common in calm weather. As the bears move along the bank, close to the water’s edge, it is possible to make some beautiful images with the bear and its reflection.
Hide 5 has good photography area to the forested swamp on the right and vert short distance to the opposite bank.
This hide is for 1-2 people.
Hide 6
Hide 6, is located on the north-western bank of the same small pond as hides 1-5.
From this hide the bears can be photographed also side of the pond 5-10 meters from the hide and opposite bank is 10 meters distance. Lenses from wide-angle up are good to use.
Hide 6 is good also for photographing the bears with their reflections in the pond. From this hide evening sun shines to the photography direction, and also morning backlight is possible.
From this hide you can see on the right side the rocks about sixty meters distance. To the left side of hide 6 there is forested swamp with higher forest as the background. The trees of swamp extend out almost to hide 6, and this gives the hide a very unique location, allowing photographs to be made with the bears in open space, as well as in amongst areas of woodland.
This hide is for 1-2 people
Hide 7
Hide 7 is located in the forest of pine and spruce trees, with some juniper bushes. Trees varies from high strong trees to young trees. All forest hides have a completely unique feel compared to the hides located on the pond or out on the wetland, as these hides are located inside the forest.
The forest area is a very quiet and secluded location, with a smaller observational area compared to the other hides. This however, is exchanged for chance to have a very intimate and exciting encounter with the Bears and Wolverines.
Distance to bears and wolverines can be from a couple meters up.
As the forest area has slightly different conditions from the other hides, it is good to note that available light will sometimes be weaker and ideally photographing with a large aperture lens is preferable. To have more light we have made forest behind hide and also photography area sparser, still not miss the real forest atmosphere.
Due to the close proximity of the wildlife in the hide, lens range from wide angle to 300 mm have been popular.
This hide is for 1-2 people, on request for 3 people.
Hide 8
Hide 8 is situated facing South-West, across the large expanse of wetland with its grass and forested swamp with young pines near in front of and right side.
The angle of view stretches from the forest area on the right, across the wetland to the left. Background after swamp is forested swamp and an uphill larch forest in distance of 50 meters. Sun may create excellent sidelight or backlight, and the swamp is good place for mist photos.
Open swamp offers extensive photography area where is a lot of space for Bears movement, such as photographing bears running. The area of young pine trees close to the hide 8 gives also another beautiful type surrounding for Bears and Wolverines.
Bears and Wolverines can be photographed in distances between 10-100 meters, therefore many have used lenses ranging between 50-600 mm.
This hide is for 1-2 people
Hide 9
Hide 9 is situated facing South-West, across the large expanse of wetland with its grass.
The angle of view stretches from the forest area on the right, across the wetland to the left. Background after swamp is forested swamp and an uphill larch forest in distance of 50 meters. Sun may create excellent sidelight or backlight, and the swamp is good place for mist photos.
Open swamp offers extensive photography area where is a lot of space for Bears movement, such as photographing bears running.
Hide 9 is situated in the middle of the edge of swamp. Bears and Wolverines can be photographed in distances between 10-100 meters, therefore many have used lenses ranging between 50-600 mm.
This hide is for 1-2 people
Hide 10
Hide 10 is situated facing South-West, across the large expanse of wetland with its grass. There is a small island of some pine trees 20 meters distance
The angle of view stretches from the forest area on the right, across the wetland to the left. Background after swamp is forested swamp and an uphill larch forest in distance of 50 meters. Sun may create excellent sidelight or backlight, and the swamp is good place for mist photos.
Open swamp offers extensive photography area where is a lot of space for Bears movement, such as photographing bears running.
Hide 10 is situated in the left of the edge of swamp. Bears and Wolverines can be photographed in distances between 5-100 meters, therefore many have favoured lenses ranging between 50-600 mm.
This hide is for 1-2 people
Hide 11
Hide 11 is one of the hides which has a unique perspective over the landscape.
The angle of view is mainly north-west, which enables photographs to taken utilizing the evening light as backlight. During sunrise the position of hide 11, makes it possible to photograph with beautiful morning light, covering the subject evenly from the front and side.
The landscape in front of hide 11 is an open swamp and forested swamp. Open swamp reaches far distance in front of hide 11. Where is great opportunity to photograph bear in the mist and silhouettes of bear.
Hide 11 has a Low-Level Photography Opening.
It is possible for the Bears and Wolverines come as close as 2 meters from the hide, this allows for the use of shorter lenses to express your creativity. For hide 11 people have often chosen lenses from wide angle to 500 mm.
This hide is for 1-2 people
Hide 12
Hide 12 is situated facing south-east, looking across 50 meters of swamp, towards an area of young mixed forest. There is open space in front and to the right of the hide, with a small group of trees to the left side. The rocky outcrop in front of is also visible.
As a bear or a wolverine pass in front of hide 12, it can come very close to the hide, from 2 meters upward. And because bears and wolverines can come very close, it is important to note that shorter lenses can also be used to good effect here. Due to the distances for photographing the wildlife, lenses from wide angle to 500mm can be utilized.
Hide 12 is a very good hide for morning sunrise backlight on the bears and wolverines. Also, this is good hide for Autumn colours as the background in September and the white cotton grass in Summer.
This hide is for 1-2 people
Hide 13
Hide 11 is one of the hides which has multiple landscapes. It has 3 photography openings, due to the size of hide 13, the various angles of view are easily used.
The angles of views are pointed towards West, North and East. This enables photographs to be taken with various features. It is possible to utilize both the evening and morning light as backlight or as a light towards bear.
Landscape around hide 13 is an open swamp and forested swamp with various vegetation. Open swamp reaches far distance in the West side, where it is possible to capture Bear and Wolverine photos also in forested swamp. In the Western swamp, 5-100 meters distance, is great opportunity to photograph bear in the mist and silhouettes of bear. In the North side is swamp with some patches of trees which the bears and wolverines can pass near, providing a nice depth of field to your images. North-East direction locates the rocks where is possible to photograph. East side has smaller open swamp with small area of brushwood and after that 40 meters distance thick young mixed forest
Because of young mixed forest, this is good hide for Autumn colours as the background in September. Also, hide is good for the beds of white cotton grass in Summer, which are usually prominent around hide 13.
From this hide it is possible that the Bears and Wolverines come as close as 2 meters from the hide, it is also possible to photograph bear and wolverine from a distance. For hide 13 lenses from wide angle to 500 mm have been successful.
This hide is for 1 person
Hide 14
Hides 14 have close similarities with hides 7, it is 5 meters distance from Hide 7. This hide shares the same forest landscape with pine and spruce trees, with some juniper bushes. Trees varies from high stong trees to young trees. All forest hides have a completely unique feel compared to the hides located on the pond or out on the wetland, as these hides are located inside the forest.
What makes hide 14 different, is that it has photography openings on all 4 sides. Hide offer multiple photography angles to forest but also to the forested swamp in South direction.
This hides also offers an area of very quiet and secluded environment surrounded by trees. Here you may have a very intimate and exciting encounter with the Bears and Wolverines.
As the forest area has slightly different conditions from the other hides, it is good to note that available light will sometimes be weaker and ideally photographing with a large aperture lens is preferable. To have more light we have made forest behind hide and also photography area sparser, still not miss the real forest atmosphere.
Distance to bears and wolverines can be from a couple meters up. Due to the close proximity of the wildlife in the hide, lens range from wide angle to 300 mm have been popular.
This hide is for 1 person.
Hide 15
Hides 15 is more secluded hide in the mid forest, because there is no other hides right close it. This hide offers also forest landscape with pine and spruce trees around the photography area. Trees varies from high strong trees to young trees.
Hide 15 has photography openings one direction, towards the North, summer sun during night-time may create wonderful background tones. In addition of basic openings, hide 15 has also Low-Level Photography Opening.
Here you may have encounters with the Bears and Wolverines with close distances, from a couple meters up.
As the forest area has slightly different conditions from the other hides, it is good to note that available light will sometimes be weaker and ideally photographing with a large aperture lens is preferable. To have more light we have made forest behind hide and also photography area sparser, still not miss the real forest atmosphere.
Due to the close proximity of the wildlife in the hide, lens range from wide angle to 300 mm have been popular.
This hide is for 1-2 people
Hide 16
Hide 16 is located in the forest of pine and spruce trees. Trees varies from high strong trees to young trees.
This hide is situated towards the uphill forest and forest rocks, that gives excellent opportunities to photograph Bears and Wolverines slightly from below. It is also possible that these animals pass close in front of hide where is swamp strip.
On average closest photography distance to the Bears and Wolverines can be 5 meters up.
As the forest area has slightly different conditions from the other hides, it is good to note that available light will sometimes be weaker and ideally photographing with a large aperture lens is preferable. To have more light we have made forest behind hide and also photography area sparser, still not miss the real forest atmosphere.
Due to the close proximity of the wildlife in the hide, lens range from wide angle to 300 mm have been popular.
This hide is for 1-2 people.
Hide 17
Hide 17 is located near a pond, it has been set back approximately 25 meters from the waterfront, to produce a unique vantage point, where the wildlife can pass between the hide and water in clear view.
This hide is good for photographing to the left swamp alongside the pond, where open swamp also meets young pine trees. Photographing the bears and wolverines between the hide and pond and the right side of pond is also possible.
The hide is West facing, which means achieving evening back-light on the bears and wolverines is possible throughout the season.
The landscape in front of hide 17 is a open swamp and forested swamp. Vegetation is mix of moss and grass.
It is great opportunity to photograph bear with the mist as a background and silhouettes of bear.
Hide 17 has a Low-Level Photography Opening.
Bears and Wolverines may come as close as 2 meters from the hide, and the distance to the waterfront is short. For the reason people have often chosen lenses from wide angle to 400 mm, some have used even 500 mm for bear and wolverine further or for close ups.
This hide is for 1-2 people
Hide 18
Hide 18 is located near a pond, it has been set back approximately 25 meters from the waterfront, where the wildlife can pass between the hide and water in clear view.
From this hide photographing the bears and wolverines between the hide and pond, also the left and right side of pond is also possible.
The hide is West facing, which means achieving evening back-light on the bears and wolverine is possible throughout the season.
The landscape in front of hide 18 is a wet open swamp. Vegetation is mix of moss and grass. On the right side next to the pond grows forest with pines and left side open swamp and forested swamp.
It is great opportunity to photograph bear with the mist as a background and silhouettes of bear.
Hide 18 has a Low-Level Photography Opening.
Bears and Wolverines may come as close as 2 meters from the hide, and the distance to the waterfront is short. For the reason people have often chosen lenses from wide angle to 400 mm, some have used even 500 mm for bear and wolverine further or for close ups.
This hide is for 1-2 people
Hide 19
Hide 19 is located near a pond, it has been set back approximately 25 meters from the waterfront, where the wildlife can pass between the hide and water in clear view.
From this hide photographing the bears and wolverines between the hide and pond, also the left and right side of pond is also possible.
The hide is West facing, which means achieving evening back-light on the bears and wolverine is possible throughout the season.
The landscape in front of hide 19 is a wet open swamp. Vegetation is mix of moss and grass. On the right side next to the pond grows forest with pines and left side open swamp and forested swamp.
From hide 19 it is possible to have photos when bear is clearly alongside the right side of pond, the right bank is almost direct. Also to the small forest swamp area near hide 19 is possible to photograph.
It is great opportunity to photograph bear with the mist as a background and silhouettes of bear.
Hide 19 has a Low-Level Photography Opening.
Bears and Wolverines may come as close as 2 meters from the hide, and the distance to the waterfront is short. For the reason people have often chosen lenses from wide angle to 400 mm, some have used even 500 mm for bear and wolverine further or for close ups.
This hide is for 1-2 people
Hide 20
Hide 20 is located near a pond, it has been set back approximately 25 meters from the waterfront on the right corner on pond, where the wildlife can pass between the hide and water in clear view.
From this hide photographing the bears and wolverines between the hide and pond, also the left and right side of pond is also possible.
The hide is West facing, which means achieving evening back-light on the bears and wolverine is possible throughout the season.
The landscape in front of hide 20 is a wet open swamp. Vegetation is mix of moss and grass. On the right side next to the pond grows forest with pines and left side open swamp and forested swamp.
From hide 20 it is possible to have photos when bear is the most clearly alongside the right side of pond, the right bank is almost direct. Also to the small forest swamp area near hide 20 can easily be photographed.
It is great opportunity to photograph bear with the mist as a background and silhouettes of bear.
Hide 20 has a Low-Level Photography Opening.
Bears and Wolverines may come as close as 2 meters from the hide, and the distance to the waterfront is short. For the reason people have often chosen lenses from wide angle to 400 mm, some have used even 500 mm for bear and wolverine further or for close ups.
This hide is for 1-2 people
Hide 21
Hide 21 is located near a small round pond, on its left corner. This hide has been set back approximately 20 meters from the waterfront, bears can pass between the hide and water in clear view. Bears can also walk around the pond near waterfront. From this hide it is possible to photograph bear and wolverine in front of pond, opposite bank and next to the pond. Hide 21 is good for photographing to the swamp on the left side of pond.
The hide is facing North, which means evening light is possible to shine from left side, and the Midsummer nights` sun is possible shine from the front and morning light from front-right.
Popular choices for lenses in this hide have been from wide angle to 500 mm. From wide angle to 300 mm have been most useful photographing bears in front of pond, in distances between 2 meters and 20 meters. For the opposite bank, 60 meters distance, and further lenses up to 500 can be used effectively.
There grow small pine trees in the photographic landscape, but in front of pond is open swamp area. Vegetation is mix of moss, grass and swamp brushwood.
From this hide is great opportunity to photograph bear with the mist as a background or in the middle of mist and silhouettes of bear.
Hide 21 has a Low-Level Photography Opening.
This hide is for 1-2 people
Hide 22
Hide 22 is located near a small round pond, in the left corner of bank. This hide has been set back approximately 20 meters from the waterfront, bears can pass between the hide and water in clear view. Bears can also walk around the pond near waterfront. From this hide it is possible to photograph bear and wolverine in front of pond, opposite bank and next to the pond. Hide 22 is also good for photographing to the swamp on the left side of pond.
The hide is facing North, which means evening light is possible to shine from left side, and the Midsummer nights` sun is possible shine from the front and morning light from front-right.
Popular choices for lenses in this hide have been from wide angle to 500 mm. From wide angle to 300 mm have been most useful photographing bears in front of pond, in distances between 2 meters and 20 meters. For the opposite bank, 60 meters distance, and further lenses up to 500 can be used effectively.
There grow small pine trees in the photographic landscape, but in front of pond is open swamp area. Vegetation is mix of moss, grass and swamp brushwood.
From this hide is great opportunity to photograph bear with the mist as a background or in the middle of mist and silhouettes of bear.
Hide 22 has a Low-Level Photography Opening.
This hide is for 1-2 people
Hide 23
Hide 23 is located near a small round pond, on its right corner. This hide has been set back approximately 20 meters from the waterfront, bears can pass between the hide and water in clear view. Bears can also walk around the pond near waterfront. From this hide it is possible to photograph bear and wolverine in front of pond, opposite bank and next to the pond. Hide 23 is also good for photographing to the swamp on the right side of pond.
The hide is facing North, which means evening light is possible to shine from left side, and the Midsummer nights` sun is possible shine from the front and morning light from front-right.
Popular choices for lenses in this hide have been from wide angle to 500 mm. From wide angle to 300 mm have been most useful photographing bears in front of pond, in distances between 2 meters and 20 meters. For the opposite bank, 60 meters distance, and further lenses up to 500 can be used effectively.
There grow small pine trees in the photographic landscape, but in front of pond is open swamp area, and the right side of pond is mainly open swamp with grass. Vegetation overall is mix of moss, grass and swamp brushwood.
From this hide is great opportunity to photograph bear with the mist as a background or in the middle of mist and silhouettes of bear.
Hide 23 has a Low-Level Photography Opening.
This hide is for 1-2 people
Hide 24
Hide 24 is located near a small round pond, also on its right corner. This hide has been set back approximately 20 meters from the waterfront, bears can pass between the hide and water in clear view. Bears can also walk around the pond near waterfront. From this hide it is possible to photograph bear and wolverine in front of pond, opposite bank and next to the pond. Hide 24 is good for photographing to the swamp on the right side of pond.
The hide is facing North, which means evening light is possible to shine from left side, and the Midsummer nights` sun is possible shine from the front and morning light from front-right.
Popular choices for lenses in this hide have been from wide angle to 500 mm. From wide angle to 300 mm have been most useful photographing bears in front of pond, in distances between 2 meters and 20 meters. For the opposite bank, 60 meters distance, and further lenses up to 500 can be used effectively.
There grow small pine trees in the photographic landscape, but in front of pond is open swamp area, and the right side of pond is mainly open swamp with grass. Vegetation overall is mix of moss, grass and swamp brushwood.
From this hide is great opportunity to photograph bear with the mist as a background or in the middle of mist and silhouettes of bear.
Hide 24 has a Low-Level Photography Opening.
This hide is for 1-2 people
Hide 25
Hide 25 is located near a small round pond, on its most right corner and partly on swamp side. This hide has been set back approximately 25 meters from the waterfront, bears can pass between the hide and water in clear view. Bears can also walk around the pond near waterfront. From this hide it is possible to photograph bear and wolverine in front of pond, opposite bank and next to the pond. Hide 25 offers the best opportunity for photographing to the swamp on the right side of pond.
The hide is facing North, which means evening light is possible to shine from left side, and the Midsummer nights` sun is possible shine from the front and morning light from front-right.
Popular choices for lenses in this hide have been from wide angle to 500 mm. From wide angle to 300 mm have been most useful photographing bears in front of pond, in distances between 2 meters and 25 meters. For the opposite bank, 60 meters distance, and further to the swamp lenses up to 500 can be used effectively.
There grow small pine trees in the photographic landscape, but in front of pond is open swamp area, and the right side of pond is mainly open swamp with grass. Vegetation overall is mix of moss, grass and swamp brushwood.
From this hide is great opportunity to photograph bear with the mist as a background or in the middle of mist and silhouettes of bear.
Hide 25 has a Low-Level Photography Opening.
This hide is for 1-2 people
Hide A
Hide A is situated facing north-east, looking across 50 meters of swamp, towards a pond, the rocks an area of young mixed forest. Hide A have photography openings to 3 directions.
There is open space with small area of brushwood in front of Hide A, after 40 meters grows individual trees, with background of more trees on swamp. The rocky outcrop in distance of 60 meters in front of is also visible very well. Opening on right side offers more brushwood landscape with young trees. On the left side it is possible to photograph towards forest swamp.
As a bear or a wolverine move around hide A, it can come close as 5 meters. Because bears and wolverines can come very close, also shorter lenses can be used to good effect here. Due to the distances for photographing the wildlife, lenses from wide angle to 500mm can be utilized.
Hide A is a very good hide for morning sunrise backlight on the bears and wolverines. Also, this is good hide for Autumn colours as the background in September and the white cotton grass in Summer.
This hide is for 1-4 people. Hide A is suitable for families. Hide A has beds for 4 people and separate toilet cubicle and it is more spacious.
Low-Level Photography Opening