Where to hunt Brown Bear
Brown bear, a.k.a. grizzly (genetic studies confirm it is the same species) historically occupied all temperate climate zones in Europe, Asia and America. Habitat loss and conflicts with humans have dramatically reduced its range. With the future of grizzly hunts in the Lower 48 still uncertain, the only two areas in North America that offer brown bear hunting are Alaska and Yukon. Russia is the prime alternative for an American who is looking for affordable bear hunting opportunities. Other countries where brown bear season is open include Estonia and Croatia.
Price distribution
The most affordable brown bear hunts are to be found in Russia. Actually, the prices are so low that many people find them suspicious - you can fit the price for a brown bear hunt, travel exclusive, in the European part of Russia in $2,000 (read the blog story that explains how it’s possible). Prices grow along with average trophy size as you move eastward, and are just over 10,000 for the legendary Kamchatka bruins. The prime trophies and well-equipped outfitters for brown bears in the USA (Alaska), especially on the famous Kodiak island, and Canada (Yukon) command premium prices as well.
Tags, Licenses and Rules
Bears are not endangered in the areas where hunting is legal, nevertheless, hunting is strictly regulated to make sure populations remain healthy. Brown bear hunting in Alaska and Yukon does not require tag draw, but non-residents must be accompanied by a licensed guide. Hunting female bears with cubs is universally banned; trophy hunting discriminates against harvest of females anyway, because male bears are significantly bigger and most females don’t reach the size that will satisfy a trophy hunter.
May 11, 2017 From Europe to Kamchatka: Seven Options for Bear Hunting in RussiaWhen to hunt Brown Bear?
There are two main seasons for bear hunting: in spring, after the bruins leave their dens, and in the fall, before the denning time. The former runs in March to May, the latter - August to October. Both seasons are similar, in that bears feed actively, in order to accumulate enough fat for the denning, or to compensate for calorie loss during winter sleep, and concentrate around preferred food sources such as salmon runs. In addition, less dense vegetation makes it easier to locate a bear and estimate its size. But different feeding strategies employed by the bruins call for different hunting methods.
Hunting methods All hunting methods (9)
In the USA and Canada the most common way of hunting brown bear is spot and stalk, especially on salmon runs when bears feed on the fish. The same way is practiced on the other side of the Pacific, in Kamchatka. In Europe most bears are hunted over bait. Russia offers the widest variety of hunting methods, including hunting with laika dogs (the hunters stalk the bear while dogs keep it at bay), hunting from improvised high seats placed where bears plunder oat fields, and hunting bear raised from its den (no, one doesn’t kill a sleeping bear in the den).
Why hunt Brown Bear? All hunts (76)
Since the dawn of times, bears and humans were two similar, intelligent and omnivorous species that competed for the same environment and food sources. No wonder the idea of bear hunting still makes people very emotional, on both sides of the hunting debate. It is these primal emotions that make hunters go find bears, not the prospect of a big rug or entry in the trophy book. This said, bear meat (where it is not infected with trichinosis) is a delicacy. Brown bear hunting is dangerous game hunting, so be sure you’re packing an adequate rifle and load combination, and listen to your guide well.
2019 Alaska Peninsula Brown Bear Hunt United States
Alaska Peninsula hunts alternate seasons, May 10-25th of even numbered years and October 7-21 of odd numbered years. During the spring hunts the bears are emerging form their dens where they have been for the past 6 months. During this time the bears are on the search for food and as the season the progresses the large boars are looking for sows as the mating season is beginning. During the fall hunts the bears are busy fattening up for the long winter ahead, bears will be found in the creeks fishing and on the hills sides eating berries. Hunts are conducted 1x1 from tented spike camps throughout our 2 exclusive guide areas located within the Alaska Peninsula National Wildlife Refuge, do have a remote cabin from which we take 2 hunters each year. Our guide area is 593 square miles and consist of all the drainages the flow into both upper and lower Ugashik Lake. This area has over 20 streams that are teaming with both sockeye and silver salmon in the fall and the nearby hills offer great denning habitat. By limiting the number of clients per year we have been able to maintain very high success rates with our clients harvesting 9 plus ft bears. Each hunter will have their own 4 season tent that you can stand in, outfitted with cots and sleeping pads. Our food consist of hardy home cooked meals as we stay away from freeze dried food. Season Dates: Oct 7th-21st May 10th-25th
Trip duration: 10 days
Trip available on: 10 May 2019 30 October 2019
Brown Bear - 2020, Alaskan Peninsula United States
The low hunting pressure in the Sugarloaf exclusive guide use area gives hunters a great chance at harvesting potential record book brown bears that travel into and out of the Katmai Park, where hunting is prohibited. With the large concentrations of brown bears moving throughout the preserve, helps harbor some of the largest brown bears in the state. With a limited amount of permits and pressure, we focus on mature boars in the 9 foot class, with bears averaging over 9’10 for the last 5 years. With ten foot bears around, patience is the name of the game. We offer one 12 day hunt option, the 12 day hunt consists of 10 full days of hunting and the extra two days are used for travel in and out of the field. Wolf harvest in the spring is at no extra charge, as long as the hunting season is open. Option 1: May 9th – May 20th - Hunters should expect to fly into Anchorage on May 7th and to King Salmon on May 8th. Transportation into the field will occur on May 9th for the start of the season on May 10th. Transportation out of the field will be on May 20th. Lodging in the field One 10 x 10 sleep tent and a 10 x 10 or 8 x 8 cook tent will be used. Tents will be of the highest quality and include Alaska Tent and Tarp Arctic Ovens, Bombshelter tents, Cabela’s Outfitter tents or a combination. Meals will consist mostly of fresh cooked meals and then freeze dried meals towards hunts end. Modifications can be made upon request.
Trip duration: 12 days
Trip available on: 9 May 2020 26 May 2020
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