Would it be safe to say that the bears on Kuiu, Prince of Wales and Mitkof Islands along with the bears on the mainland along Frederick Sound would all have the same potential size (weight, squared hide, skull size)? Would they all be black and only black or could the mainland bears be other color phases in that area? Surely they are the same basic genetic group and the weather and food must be the same? Looking at options still on where to hunt next May. Any thoughts? Rufous.

In my 30+ years in Northern S.E. Alaska, I have only seen color variations (cinnamon & blue/glacier) on mainland bears, never on the islands. Not sure why this is so, but it think it has something to do with genetic isolation during the ice ages.

You need to decide what's more important to you - color variation or size. It will be difficult to achieve both in the same bear.

Of the locations you mention, Kuiu is probably your best bet for a large bear. My brother worked on the island for several summers doing fish surveys for fin, fish & feathers (ADF&G.) Said there were LOTS of bears.

I have seen a cinnamon phase bear about 80 miles north of Port Frederick on the mainland. I'd say only 1-2% of blackies will show a color phase or albinoism. They went out of their way to close the season around Juneau for white bears in order to protect an albino seen in the outskirts of the city. The natives considered white bears very sacred - "Spirit bear"