Brown bear size expectations

[gerry35]

Not much I can add that hasn't been said already. Enjoy the hunt and shoot any respectable bear. I wouldn't be fussy being in my 20's on my 1st hunt with the means to go again in the future.

I was pretty adamant when I went that I wanted to do all the shooting. I knew certain situations could arise that warranted otherwise, but had heard/read of guides shooting immediately after the client's 1st shot. I wanted to avoid that if at all possible, and I did.

Mine was anything I could have wished for, an old warrior, light blond, & squared 9'3". Shot him on the morning of the 12th day of an 11 day hunt. Put the sneak on him while he was laying on a moose kill, shot at 100 yards with a 358 STA & 250 Partitions.

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Compared to an average black bear skull:

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Wow that doesn't get any better than that. What a beauty!

 

[WVELK]

Peninsula weather is notorious. A bear passed on day one has no guarantee to ever be seen again. Also a raffle tag doesn't always carry the same "weight" as a fully paid for hunt..... just saying some guides/outfitters look at the hunt differently depending on why they "donated" the hunt in the first place.

Pay a great tip, let the guide know you are serious and grateful etc. It's not unheard of to not get a bear depending on weather etc. Brown bear hunting to me isn't that "fun" lots of glassing and sitting in bad weather but killing a good one is definitely an adrenalin rush.

I would shoot what the guide tells you to - whether that is day 1 (everyone will be happy to get a break early) or if they never tell you to pull the trigger.....

What he said having been there myself. Sent a pm to help provide my thoughts and experiences.

 

[Smtn10pt]

I’m headed for a brown bear hunt on the peninsula this fall that I won on a raffle ticket. It’s a 10 day hunt I’m really wanting a 9’+ bear but I know that’s not always the reality of hunting. what day would you go for an 8’6” bear? Also and gear or other tips would be appreciated. I’m in my mid 20s so not to worried about any physical limitations.

Day 8 of 10 was the answer for me

 

[Mojave]

I lived in Sitka, Anchorage, Fairbanks and Barrow.

You could have 10 days of perfect weather or 10 days of side ways rain and wind.

Alaska gives you what it gives you.

You will know that when you get off the airplane. YOu'll have an idea of what your weather will be. I'd make my decision on that day. Not on a day a 8-18 months out.

If you know you are going to have 8 days of mostly sunshine, you could be selective. If you know the wind is going to blow 50mph and it's going to be raining the day after you leave the strip. Maybe take that int account.