Get Paid to Count Salmon in the Wilderness But Be Prepared for the Ultimate Battle with Fierce Grizzlies

HAINES, Alaska - In a job that sounds both exhilarating and intimidating, an Alaska state employee sits perched over the Chilkoot River, tasked with the unique responsibility of counting salmon. The setup is simple yet ingenious - a narrow, fence-like structure spans the river, allowing the employee to get up close and personal with the fish as they swim by. But it's not just the fish that make this job exciting - the middle of the fast-flowing Chilkoot River also happens to be the stomping ground of some fierce grizzly bears.

The Chilkoot River is known for its remarkable salmon population, attracting hundreds of bears to its banks every year. For those who live and work here, the bears are a constant presence, and a force to be reckoned with. 'In a way, it's a bit of a baptism by fire,' says wildlife biologist Rachel Lee, who works with the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. 'You're getting paid to count fish, but you're also learning to coexist with bears.'

Lee says that the staff takes bear safety very seriously. 'We have extensive protocols in place to ensure that our employees are safe while they're working on the river,' she explains. 'This includes everything from carrying bear spray and having regular check-ins to being mindful of our surroundings at all times.' But despite the precautions, encounters with grizzlies can't be ruled out entirely.

For those who take on the job, the pay is competitive, and the opportunity to work in such a unique and beautiful environment is a bonus. The Chilkoot River is surrounded by towering mountains and lush greenery, and the sound of rushing water creates a constant soothing background noise. But it's not for the faint of heart. As one employee, Megan Thompson, puts it, 'It's not a job for everyone - you have to be willing to get a little rough around the edges.'

Thompson, who has worked on the river for several years, says that the rewards far outweigh the risks. 'There's something really special about being out here in nature every day, watching the salmon swim by and the bears roam free,' she says. 'And at the end of the day, knowing that you've contributed to the conservation of this incredible ecosystem - that's what it's all about.'