Bear Hunting in Alaska
Hunting for bear in Alaska will be unlike anything found in the lower 48. But a successful hunt doesn't just happen without hard work. Be prepared to work with a guide to prepare yourself and make sure patience is a virtue in your arsenal.
Bear hunting is not for those who like to sleep in. The best hunting is when the bear are active, which is typically early morning and late afternoon. Bear hunting, whether for grizzlies, Kodiak, or black bears, usually involves finding a location where you can be somewhat concealed but still able to view a large area. Patient observation of river valleys, open hillsides and tidal flats will be required. Be aware of the wind direction. The best viewing point in the world will provide no results if the wind is at your back, blowing your scent right through your target area.
Having insufficient or inoperable gear can ruin a bear hunt. A good set of binoculars or spotting scope will be necessary, as you may be several hundred yards away from a target zone at the beginning of a hunt. Some sort of shelter is helpful if the weather turns bad while you are in observation mode.
The rifle is the bear hunter's necessary weapon and a hunter should verify what the guide recommends. For brown bears, most guides recommend a bolt action .338 magnum or .375 magnum firearm with 250 grain Nosler Partition or Barnes bullets. Make sure it is sighted before going to the camp and be mindful of your capabilities with the weapon. Get some solid advice at your local firearms store and consider visiting the Cabela's Talk Forums for ideas too. There you can have a little fun communicating with others about which guns and ammo to use.
Bear hunting does not always mean taking a shot the first time a bear is sighted. Know where they are headed and where they have been, as you may be able to get a better shot by predicting where they will show up again. As with any animal, the hunter should shoot for a clean, quick kill, with the best chance typically coming within 100 yards. A shot to the chest cavity targeting the heart, liver, or lungs will typically provide that result. If the bear is moving rapidly, a front shoulder shot will usually disable it enough to get a second shot into the kill zone. Shooting at a moving bear is generally regarded as a last resort as the probability of only wounding the bear and subsequently losing it, increases significantly. The head should never be targeted, due to the amount of bone the bear has, not to mention ruining the mounting quality.
While a hunter is legally responsible for attempting to complete a hunt on a wounded bear, a great amount of caution should be taken in following it, especially if darkness is approaching. Never follow it into thickly forested or bushy areas and mark the area to return to it in the morning if necessary.
Safety is of utmost importance in bear hunting, both during the hunt and after a successful harvest. Always let your presence be know while moving, but do not panic if you stumble upon a bear. Most times, the bear will attempt to leave the area unless it feels threatened or you split a sow from her cubs. If attacked, the best bet is to use pepper spray or roll up into a ball and play dead while covering the back of your head and neck. A rifle shot will not always stop a bear and may actually rile it up more.
After a successful hunt, field dress it immediately and never drag it back to camp before dressing it, as that will leave a scent trail for other bears to follow right back to your camp. Store any hides, blood-soaked clothing or meat away from you camp and wash any blood off your body.
RECOMMENDED ALASKA BEAR HUNTING GUIDE SERVICES
Westwind Guide Service
Wasilla, Ak
Arctic Alaska Guide Service
Fairbanks, Ak
Litzen Guide Service
Kenai, Ak
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