Is August too early for a fall Brown Bear hunt? This hunt would be in unit 13. I was just wondering what the hides would be like that time of year? Also, how are the bugs and ground cover? Is there too much vegetation to see well?

Thanks for the help.

For unit 13 it all depends, most likely they'll still be rubbed with new short hair coming out, I shot bears in August in the Brooks range that had nice hides, but not real thick and long like you wanted...I'd wait for late sept. or Spring.

Thanks for the feedback. That's really helpful.

Agreed, if I were looking for a bear to rug or mount I wouldn't shoot one any earlier than September in unit 13 as the hair would be to short.

Thanks for the help.

AKsheephunter.
Do you live in the Brooks Range? I've always wanted to hunt there. How's the sheep hunting? I've heard that it is easier (by sheep hunting standards) than other parts of Alaska.

How's the bear hunting there as well?

Again, thanks for the help.

shot alot of aug and even july bears that had great hides, i've only seen maybe four bears in 11 years that were actually rubbed, where i work it don't happen very often. most late aug bears have their fall colors and shine to them, hair is even, just not as long as sept or oct. but its fall hair, not summer hair. pretty hides. this is a bear from third week of aug.
both unit 13 bears


and a mid july grizz, died in the water but you can see how long his hair is, one rub right above his tail. july 15th maybe?

Thanks.

The hides really don't look that bad in August.

not bad, just not AS good as sept is all.

Nice looking bears ...