The Alaska brown bear (Ursus arctos) is a coastal form of the brown/grizzly bear that grows exceptionally large thanks to a rich diet of salmon and other coastal resources. Mature males in Katmai and Kodiak can weigh 900 pounds or more. Brown bears are distinguished from black bears by their muscular shoulder hump, long curved claws and concave face. Their immense size, thick fur and powerful frame make them a highly coveted North American trophy.
Alaska brown bear hunts are usually conducted on remote beaches, estuaries and alpine slopes where bears feed on salmon, berries or winter‑killed carcasses. Guides glass from elevated points and then stalk downwind to within shooting range, often from spike camps accessible only by boat or bush plane. Spring seasons (April‑May) target bears emerging from dens, while fall hunts (September) coincide with salmon runs and berry crops when bears are at their heaviest. Heavy, large‑calibre rifles are essential for quick, ethical kills in thick cover or coastal brush.
Brown bears have a life history similar to interior grizzlies, but coastal populations benefit from abundant salmon runs. Breeding occurs from May to mid‑July and females give birth to one to four cubs in dens during mid‑winter; cubs stay with the mother for about two years. Bears spend about half of their lives in dens, excavating new dens each fall and emerging in April. In Alaska the species is managed through controlled hunts; hunters must obtain permits and are prohibited from taking sows with cubs. Conservation funding from license fees and guided hunts supports habitat protection and research.
Alaska brown bears are powerful swimmers and can sprint up to 35 mph for short distances; they use their long claws to dig clams and tear apart rotting logs. Their coastal diet allows them to grow larger than interior bears, and on Kodiak Island the isolated subspecies is considered one of the world’s largest terrestrial carnivores. Native Alaskan cultures revere the brown bear and incorporate it into mythology and artwork.
Alaska Brown Bear can be found in the following location:
Alaska Brown Bear has the following variations:
- (Varieties to be confirmed)
