Brown Bear Hunting

Trophy Expectations and Scoring

Field Judging Brown Bears

You will know when you see a truly big brown bear, an honest nine footer will be one of the most impressive things you’ve ever seen, and a ten footer will shock you. but there are subtle differences regionally. Here are some other things to look at:

• A big bear will look long with short legs. A round bear is a small bear. A long-legged bear is a small bear.
• Big boars will look like they have small heads in proportion to the size of their bodies.
• Ears will be on the sides of the head and appear small.
• Body language is  a dead giveaway. A mature boar will have a slow, deliberate swagger. Everything is calm and understated.
• When a big brown bear faces you, there should be lots of shoulder protruding out from both sides of his head.
• Trophy sized boars don’t have wrists. Their forearm is muscular and runs straight down to the toes.
• On Kodiak Island, guides look at color. Generally speaking, the darker the bear the older it is. A “black” bear will always warrant a closer look.
• One suggestion that we have is don’t overlook a “good” bear with a gorgeous coat.
  

How to Square a Bear Hide

Most hunters are more interested in what a bear squares than how big it’s official score is. This measurement is determined by simply taking two measurements of the flat, un-stretched hide. Measure the length from the tip of the nose to the tip of the tail, then measure the width from the end of the claws, across the shoulders. Add these two numbers together, then divide by two. That’s it!

*Take your measurements after fleshing, but prior to salting.

How to Score a Brown Bear

Boone and Crockett judges measure the length plus the width of a cleaned and dried bear’s skull (regardless of species) and add the two measurements. It is posted in inches and 16ths of an inch and not simplified- example: 29 12/16″ instead of 29 3/4″. The score is taken only after 60 days has elapsed after the kill. Any prior measurement is considered “green”- or unofficial.

A brown bear must measure at least 26 inches to make the Boone and Crockett records. To be an official score, your bear must be measured by an official Boone and Crockett Club measurer. See the Boone and Crockett Scoring Tool.

The Best Places to Hunt Brown Bears

There are currently eight different subspecies of brown bear that are recognized by Safari Club International.

Brown bears are fascinating animals and one of my favorite big game species. There are currently eight different subspecies of brown bear that are recognized by Safari Club International. They can be found in the most remote parts of North America, Eastern Europe, Asia and Russia.  Four different subspecies occur in Russia alone: Amur Brown Bear; Siberian Brown Bear; Kamchatka Brown Bear; and the Eurasian brown bear.

Where to shoot a brown bear. Hit them well and KEEP SHOOTING. Trust me.

Brown Bear Subspecies

• Siberian Brown Bears range right between the Eurasian and Kamchatka Brown Bear in size. They have larger skulls and are more bold around people than some of the other brown bear varieties.
• Eurasian Brown Bears have a wide range of coloration from brown to blonde to reddish brown and even almost black. There have also been reported cases of albinism . They have round heads, small ears and wide skulls.
• Amur Brown Bears, also known as Ussuri Brown Bears, are hard to tell apart from the Kamchatka  Brown Bear. They can be identified by their elongated skull, smaller forehead,  and much darker color. Some call them the black grizzly.
• Kamchatka Brown Bears are the largest bears in Eurasia. With a much wider skull than the Alaska Peninsula Brown Bears, they can can grow nearly as large, from 7 feet- 9 feet in length.
• North American Brown Bear are also known as the grizzly bear. There are about 25,000 across Canada and the Northwest Territories; 30,000 in Alaska and about 1,500 in the lower 48. Here’s how to tell the difference between brown and grizzly bears.
• Kodiak Brown Bear is considered by many to be the largest subspecies of Brown Bear, They inhabit the islands of the Kodiak Archipelago. They are most active during the day and tend to go into hibernation in late October and leave their dens in early April.
• Alaska Peninsula Brown Bear are some of the biggest bears in the world. They can range from 750-1250 lbs and can reach over 10 ft. They rival even the Kodiak Brown Bear. They’ve reached weights up to 1,500 lbs.
• Sitka Brown Bear can be found in Southeast Alaska and Admiralty Island, Baranof Island and Chichagof Island (ABC Islands). They look a lot like the Alaskan Grizzly bear with a humped back and a nasty reputation.

Each of these subspecies is unique in its own way. They are one of the most interesting, powerful, awe inspiring animals on earth.