VIDEO: Kayakers capture close encounter with a swimming bear

Bear swimming — A bear took a swim on camera across Stumpy Point Bay on Monday. [Photo via Facebook, courtesy Mikey Sabadic]

The fishing wasn’t so great Monday morning near Manns Harbor, but for a couple of kayakers, it turned into a bear of a tale.

Today the fishing wasn't all that great.. but that didn't matter. I had one of the most insane, amazing, once in a lifetime moments happen while in my kayak today!! I was with my buddy @iansurfish3377 and we saw this bear all the way across the river walking the marsh! It looked huge so we decide to take a trip to go see if we could creep up and get a good look at how big it truly was! Instead on our way it decided to cross the river and head towards us! I was able to get within about 12 ft of this massive black bear and follow him all the way to shore for a 1/4 mile almost! It was absolutely incredible to be so close to an animal with such power! Swam across the sound like it was nothing went for around a 1/2 mile swim and didn't struggle a bit! Bear sighting charters coming soon ?? Hobie Fishing AFTCO Carolinas Contact me, or click the link in my Bio for Charter info Fresh and Saltwater Fishing around the Outer Banks of North Carolina Email: mikeywsabadic@gmail.com#nature #outerbanks #obx #gonefishing #aftcofreshwater #bassmaster #colorful #aftcocarolinas #art #largemouth #bass #gopro #home #love #life #bassdynasty #adventure #blackbear #basspro #gorgeous #amazing #awesome #beautiful #fish #fishing #photooftheday #picoftheday #instagood #instadaily

Posted by Mikey Sabadic on Monday, March 11, 2019

Mikey Sabadic and a friend were paddling along Stumpy Point Bay when they saw a bear across the water walking the marsh.

“It looked huge so we decide to take a trip to go see if we could creep up and get a good look at how big it truly was!” Sabadic, a charter fishing guide, wrote in a Facebook post.

Instead the big black bear started crossing the water and heading toward them.

Sabadic was able to capture video of “about 12 [feet] of this massive black bear” and follow him about a quarter mile.

The big bear swam across the sound for half a mile “like it was nothing” and didn’t struggle a big, Sabadic said.

“It was absolutely incredible to be so close to an animal with such power!” he wrote.

Stumpy Point Bay is near Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge, which is believed to be home to one of the largest black bear populations in the southeastern United States. The refuge estimates its bear population is between 180 and 293, with densities of one to two bears per square mile.

“Bear sighting charters coming soon!” Sabadic said.

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