An Introduction To Grizzly Hunts In Alaska

By Noemi Wallner


Grizzly hunts in Alaska are an experience that few hunters will forget. The Last Frontier has an abundance of wild animals like moose, elk, caribou, and bears. However, there are so few people that you can go for days or weeks without seeing anybody else.

Trophy hunters go north to hunt one of two species of bear. Black bears are smaller and there are more of them in the state, a total of approximately 100,000. However, most trophy hunters prefer trying to bag a brown bear, also called a grizzly. This species is bigger and more difficult to find.

There are about 30,000 brown bears left in the Alaskan wilderness. These animals are huge. Males weigh an average of 500 to 900 pounds when mature. The females are smaller, about half or three quarters the size of the males. What makes these animals such a thrill to hunt is that in spite of their size and their bulky looks, they are incredibly fast. When threatened, they also tend to stand their ground.

You need a permit to hunt these beautiful animals. The Alaska Department of Fish and Game issues these permits to residents of the state and also has very strict regulations for hunters. This is to protect the species, which is threatened in most parts of the United States.

If you reside in any of the other states of the United States, you cannot hunt alone. Instead, you have to take along an adult, close relative or a guide who lives in the state. If you're from another country, you must hire an Alaska hunting guide who is licensed with the state. The latter is a requirement for Alaska caribou hunting too, as well as for tracking and killing other big game.

When you start planning your trip, make sure that you know all the regulations for hunting, including when the season opens and closes. You can get these from the Department of Fish and Game, in a handbook they release in June every year. Also be aware that you may not kill a cub or a female who has cubs, since the species has a very low rate of reproduction.

To find the best places for grizzly hunts in Alaska, you can go almost anywhere in the state. Try to spend at least a week on the hunt, since you will be going into remote wilderness and crossing great distances. A transporter service will help you get to where you want to be and will also help you to get your kill back to civilization. When you budget for your trip, therefore, budget for an air taxi too.




About the Author: