Brown bear bait hunt vs interior Grizzly hunt.

[Revturbo977]

Hello all. I'm working through some planning for a possible bear hunt in AK and I would like some feedback from those who have done either a baited brown bear hunt or interior grizzly hunt, or feedback from those who have done both. I have hunted black bear from baits, so I know the drill for the most part, that said brown bear is a completely different experience. Knowing the bear size will vary from coastal to interior, what did you like more about one hunt or the other? Was glassing in the mountains more fun than the bait site? Was the action and amount of bears seen on a bait hunt more exciting?

I have spoken to a few outfits and really like all that I've talked to, so I'm more so now just narrowing down the type of hunt I want to go on. I'm open to all suggestions.

Happy Hunting

 

[wildwilderness]

I’d take Brown bear over Grizz, they are bigger! Also I bow hunt so baiting has a higher chance of a bow shot.

You need to do both anyway so book one then the other!

 

[Revturbo977]

Ha, alway do both. Thanks for the input.

 

[VernAK]

I've baited blacks and grizzlies but not brown bears. There are a few reputable guides here in eastern Alaska that I would recommend.

The grizzlies seem to respond differently than blacks. Far more cautious it seems. I've found it best to have the blind much farther from the bait for grizzlies. That makes it difficult for archery hunters.

 

[Revturbo977]

Thanks for the input. I would likely hunt with the rifle for both although I do archery hunt.

 

[wyosteve]

I've done spot and stalk interior grizzly and baited brown bear. I can't say either is better or worse. Different logistics, but both were exciting and successful.

 

[AZ_Hunter_2000]

If you want to kill, do bait.

If you want to hunt, do spot and stalk.

 

[BRWNBR]

Two totally different experiences. Basically the same bear.
Bait your not usually gonna loose hunting days due to weather, unless it’s fog. You’re not gonna get as sweaty. You may have multiple bears to choose from or just other bears to watch. Your scenery doesn’t change.
Spot and stalk. Can be lots of walking, weather can shut you down, not typically as many bears but you can have a good week. Most “grizzly” you see will likely be close to the same size. Grizzly have better hides, but usually smaller bodies.
Lots of differences but also remember two baited hunts back to back can be very different and two spot and stalk hunts back to back can be vary different. Hard to say what each experience will be like, let alone compare two imaginary adventures.

 

[JMYERS84]

I have not hunted spot and stalk grizzly but just did a bait hunt with Jake (BRWNBR) and it was one of the best hunts of my life. I have done a lot of hunting all over the country for black bear, lion, elk, mule deer, bison, pronghorn, white tail, and exotics in Texas. I had the time of my life. I got a beautiful bear on the 5th night and also took a really good black bear. The bait hunt was a lot of fun. The bait I sat had a ton of black bears with 7 being the most at the bait/wandering around at one time. Different bears each day. Seen two different brown bears the night I took mine. Jake had pics of several bears hitting the bait that did not show while I was there. Logistics were very simple for this hunt which was a plus as well. Kept hunting in the pouring rain and had bears moving no matter what the weather was doing. I had never bear hunted over bait before this hunt, and i absolutely loved it. If I am fortunate enough to make it back to Alaska for a bear hunt, I will be calling Jake and going with him again! Good luck with whatever you choose!