Wildlife You'll See at Tincup Wilderness Lodge: Complete Guide

Photo credit: Meinrad Humm, Tincup Wilderness Lodge

Tincup Sits in Prime Yukon Wildlife Habitat

Wildlife viewing at Tincup Wilderness Lodge isn’t accidental—it’s a direct result of where the lodge is located and how it operates.

Tincup sits within a remote Yukon ecosystem where boreal forest, wetlands, alpine tundra, and a pristine lake converge. This convergence creates exceptional biodiversity and daily wildlife presence.

What makes Tincup’s setting especially significant:

• No road access within roughly 150 kilometres, allowing wildlife to behave naturally
• Extremely low human pressure, supporting healthy and stable animal populations
• Multiple habitats within walking or paddling distance of the lodge
• Strong territorial conservation practices across the Yukon
• A year-round freshwater lake that consistently attracts animals

Guests typically see wildlife every day. The variation is in which species, how close, and what behaviours they witness.

What follows is a realistic field guide to the wildlife commonly observed by guests at Tincup.

Large Mammals
 

Moose (Alces alces)

The most frequently seen large mammal at Tincup

Moose are a daily presence around the Lodge and lake. Guests commonly observe them feeding in wetlands, browsing lakeside willows, swimming across bays, or crossing ridgelines.

Where guests most often spot them:

• Marshes and wetlands rich in aquatic vegetation
• Shoreline willow thickets
• Forest edges between feeding zones
• Open water—moose are strong swimmers

Seasonal Patterns:

June-July:

• Cows with young calves are common
• Calves are small, long-legged, and stay close to mothers
• Cows are protective and should be given significant space
• Bulls are typically solitary, with antlers still in velvet

August:

• Calves grow rapidly and become more independent
• Bulls begin shedding velvet as antlers harden
• Activity levels increase as autumn approaches

September:

• Rut season begins
• Bulls vocalize, spar, and move more frequently
• This is the most dramatic period for moose behaviour and photography

Identification Tips:

• Bulls: up to 1,400 lb; cows slightly smaller
• Long legs, compact body
• Dark brown to nearly black coat
• Bulls have broad, palmated antlers
• Distinct bell (dewlap) under the throat

Safety Notes:

• Maintain a minimum distance of 100 metres
• Never approach cows with calves
• Rutting bulls are unpredictable and should be avoided entirely

Grizzly Bears (Ursus arctos)

Frequently observed during peak season

Common viewing locations:  

• Hillsides and berry patches across the lake
• Wetland edges where bears dig for roots
• Shorelines visible from boats or the Lodge

June-September, with September being peak season (hyperphagia feeding).

Where to Look:

• Opposite shoreline (safe viewing distance from lodge)
• Hillsides and ridges (foraging on berry patches)
• Wetland edges (digging for roots)
• From boats (shoreline foraging visible from water)

Seasonal Behaviour:

June:

• Bears emerge from hibernation
• Feeding focuses on vegetation, roots, and carrion
• Movement is generally slower and less visible

July-August:

• Berry feeding becomes dominant
• Sows with cubs occasionally seen
• Visibility increases significantly

September:

• Hyperphagia (pre-hibernation feeding)
• Bears feed almost constantly
• This is typically the most reliable month for sightings

Identification markers:

• Prominent shoulder hump
• Long, visible claws
• Concave facial profile
• Coat colour ranges from blond to dark brown

Bear safety 

• Conservative viewing distances are always maintained
• Guests carry bear spray when hiking
• Trails are managed with wildlife awareness practices
• Tincup has no history of bear incidents due to strict protocols

Safety: 

• Always maintain 100+ metres minimum distance
• Make noise on trails (alerts bears to presence)
• Carry bear spray (always)
• Never approach or surprise bears
• Tincup has zero bear incidents in decades of operation

Black Bears (Ursus americanus)

Black bears are present in the region but are seen less frequently than grizzlies.

Typical behaviour:

• More cautious and quick to retreat
• Often found near forest edges or berry patches
• Excellent climbers

Most black bear sightings are brief, distant, and quiet.

Caribou (Rangifer tarandus)

Occasional and seasonal

Caribou sightings are rare but possible, most often in September during migration periods.

Where sightings may occur:

• Alpine tundra above treeline
• Broad ridges and open plateaus

Identification features:

• Both males and females have antlers
• Gray-brown body with white neck and rump
• Distinct clicking sound when walking

Wolves (Canis lupus)

Heard more often than seen

Wolves are present but extremely wary of humans.

What guests experience most often:

• Tracks along trails
• Distant sightings on ridgelines (rare)
• Howling during September nights

Hearing a wolf pack howl across the lake is one of the most memorable wilderness experiences guests report.

Birds

Bald Eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus)

Seen daily

Bald eagles are a constant presence at Tincup.

Common behaviours:

• Perched near shorelines
• Circling above the lake
• Fishing for trout and whitefish
• Nesting nearby

Adults are easily identified by white heads and tails, while juveniles appear mottled brown for several years.

Common Loons (Gavia immer)

The defining sound of Tincup

Loons are seen and heard daily throughout the season.

Notable behaviours:

• Dawn and dusk calling
• Nesting along protected shorelines
• Chicks riding on parents’ backs
• Long, powerful dives for fish

Their calls—especially the tremolo and yodel—are an iconic part of the Tincup experience.

Other Frequently Observed Birds

Waterfowl

• Common goldeneyes
• Red-breasted mergansers
• Arctic terns
• Occasional trumpeter swans

Raptors

• Northern harriers
• Red-tailed hawks
• Merlins
• Great horned owls

Songbirds

• Gray jays
• White-crowned sparrows
• Yellow warblers
• Dark-eyed juncos

Small Mammals

Guests commonly observe:

• Red foxes along forest edges
• Snowshoe hares on trails
• Arctic ground squirrels in open areas
• Beavers and muskrats in sheltered bays

These species add constant movement and interest around the Lodge.

Fish (Visible Wildlife)

While primarily a fishing species, guests often see:

• Lake trout cruising near the surface
• Northern pike in shallow bays
• Arctic grayling in moving water

Reptiles & Amphibians

Reptiles are absent due to the northern climate.
Occasional amphibians include wood frogs and boreal chorus frogs, though sightings are rare.

Wildlife Viewing Tips

Best times:

• Early morning
• Late evening

Best locations:

• Wetlands and marsh edges
• Opposite shorelines
• Ridge hikes
• Quiet boat travel

Essential gear:

• Binoculars
• Telephoto camera lens
• Patience

Ethics:

• Maintain safe distances
• Never feed wildlife
• Follow safety protocols
• Observe quietly and respectfully

The Bottom Line: Wildlife at Tincup

Wildlife viewing at Tincup Wilderness Lodge is not staged, scheduled, or guaranteed—but it is consistently exceptional.

Guests regularly experience:

• Daily moose sightings
• Bald eagles and loons every day
• Frequent bear observations in peak season
• Rich birdlife throughout the summer

You are not visiting a wildlife park.
You are entering a functioning wilderness where animals live freely and humans are temporary visitors.

Watch carefully. Move quietly. Give space.

The stories you take home—from the moose swimming the bay to the echo of wolves at night—are real, unscripted, and unforgettable.