Brown Bear Hunts
The brown bear is the largest bear in North America and Canada. The brown bear is located is several regions including the United States, Canada, and Russia. Within the US, the brown bear is found in certain northern regions of the US (around the central Canadian border) and predominately Alaska. On average, a male brown bear can weight anywhere between 500 and 1500 lbs. However, a large adult male Kodiak brown bear can weight as much as 2300 lbs, with the largest one ever documented weighing just over 2500 lbs. The only other bear that can potentially exceed the brown bear in size is the polar bear.
Brown bears make up a large species of bears with many sub-species. The two best known sub-species of brown bear are the Grizzly bear and the Kodiak Bear. Grizzly bears are the most recognized sub-species known for their sometimes aggressive nature towards humans which leads to attacks and deaths. The Kodiak bears are a sub-species that are only native to Kodiak Island off the coast of Alaska. They are best known for their great size (the largest brown bear, and some argue, the largest bear sub-species in the world) and their beautiful coats.
Aside from man, brown bears have no natural predators or enemies in the wild. A large pack of wolves may run a brown bear off a kill, but they reign at the top of the food chain. The only except to this occurs in the far eastern part of Russia where the brown bears tend to be significantly smaller than their Canadian cousins and have been preyed upon by full grown Siberian tigers. In addition to being large, brown bears are also extremely powerful. Armed with razor sharp claws and teeth, a brown bear can break the neck of an adult moose with a single blow. Brown bears are also very fast for their size and have been known to achieve speeds of nearly 35 MPH in short bursts. According to statistics from bear research, there are 2 fatal bear attacks each year in North America. Most occur in Canada and Alaska, with brown bears (or a sub-species) being involved.
Brown bears come in a number of different colors including black, brown, blonde, or a various combination color such as "cinnamon" or "silvered". Bears may change color during the year, which is called a color phase. When looking for hunts, you may see references to a "phase bear" and this refers to the color change.
Typically brown bears are hunted over bait or by a spot and stalk method. Bait hunting involves hunting an area where the bears have been coming to bait stands. Most hunting is done from a tree stand and can be done with a rifle, bow, or muzzleloader. Spot and stalk hunting involves glassing an area until a bear is spotted and then stalking into shooting range. Spot and stalk typically involves rifle hunting only. If you are taking a trip that will involve any spot and stalk hunting, make sure you have some good optics as they will pay for themselves many times over.
If you are planning a bear hunt, here are a few things to keep in mind. If this is your first bear hunt, you are now going to hunt an animal that could consider you part of the food chain. Plan and prepare accordingly.
If you are looking for some really nice bear hunts with some nice phase bears, take a look at these:
US $1,500.00
