I want a Brown Bear,i'm worried if i leave coming to Alaska for a Brown Bear too long the hunting of Brown Bear maybe banned,do you guys up in Alaska think hunting of Brown Bear will be banned in the near future???

I have watched a few videos of Brown Bear hunting,hunting in the fall on the salmon streams looks like fun.

I'm a bit worried about paying for the whole hunt and not getting a bear too,i know thats hunting,but this would be a one off trip for me,as i could only afford to do it once.

I'm not after a world record bear,i would like to get in close under 20 yards.

Thanks for any input.

I haven't gotten one myself yet but I don't think there is much danger of it being banned. In fact, not long ago, there were areas that went to one bear every year instead of every four years. I'm not a biologist but it seems to me that they are doing well. I heard there are over 50 in the Anchorage city limits alone. Of course, trying to find one on a hunt is not easy.

Brown Bear population is continualy increaseing....However the Environmentalists are so not sane that if they get their way they will put them on the endangered species list................................A fall hunt is my favorite ......... And it can be very lively........A good tough weather hunt.....Wet...good place for a 416 or a 505 ect................For me personally a good bear way up close is lots better than a big bear at long range.......Course a BIG bear way up close is what dreams ,or nightmares are made from..................A real good place for the Gibbs.... 375 works good tho also....

I took an 8foot brownie at 45 yds in 1995 in S.E. Alaska on a boat hunt with a guide I will not mention publically; the other hunter took an even smaller bear. Poorly organized & not well guided. I returned 2003 with Master guide Brad Dennison & had a great hunt, took a nice 8 1/2 bear at 20 yards. The other hunter took a 9'2" bear. This was his 2nd hunt with Brad. He returned June, 05 to hunt Blacks; he & I are returning to hunt Blacks June 07. Fall weather can be awful, heavy rain can wash fish right out of the streams & lead to failed hunt. I understand best 10 day hunt probably May 10-20. Rut starts about May 15, hides still usually in pretty good condition. A Late spring may yield sparse numbers on the earlier hunt; last 10 day hunt of spring may yield more rubbed hides, especially if an early spring. Guides usually prefer you stalk to about 50 yards to assure good clean kill. I found my 338 with 250 gr Swift A Frames a good bear load. Can't beat a boat hunt for covering different territory every day; come home to dry roof over your head & hot shower. Follow up carefully on references; look for hunters who return to the guide a 2nd or 3rd time & who have hunted in Alaska before. There are no guarantees with brown bear hunts, but chances are good with a quality guide; look out for any guide that claims too high a % of success. Alaska is Aerica's last true frontier; incredible beauty, wonderful people. Everyone owes it to him/herself to go at least once; unforgettable experience. Brad Dennison site: www.alaskahunting.com. Hope this helps/ Chaz

i know a guy who is 100% on brwn bear. he does take bow hunters as well. the guys who will get you a bear are out there if you and your equipment are up to the task. good luck.

Look for an outfitter that has exclusive hunting rights to a remote area! If you want to be successful, The single most important thing is Show up in shape! It's truly hard to believe how many hunters show up 50-100 pounds over weight! If you want the best chance to be successful you must be able to walk 3-5 miles a day in boggy wet conditions. You also need to be mentally prepared for the possibly of rain everyday, sleeping in small tents, wet clothes, and eating freeze dried food .

quote:

Originally posted by Robert johnson:
You also need to be mentally prepared for the possibly of rain everyday, sleeping in small tents, wet clothes, and eating freeze dried food .

SOUNDS like my honeymoon...

I live on the AK Pen and get to see many and hunt as a resident. I've got to agree with Robert Johnson on the long walks of 3 to 5 miles through some rough country. Also on a BR Bear hunt the stalk can be a 1 to 2 mile run/scramble/crawl crossing rivers, creeks, bogs as fast as you can to close the distance to the bear. I see many more 5' to 7' bears on the rivers and bays. Big bears are almost completely nocturnal in the fall on salmon streams. Ya gotta remember that the bears your hunting are wild and not the people/photo friendly bears of Katmai or Brooks Falls.

That said, The AK Brown Bears are not endangered. They number around 25000. There are no plans of stopping hunting for them.