Peninsula Bear expectations

[Rwolf]

I'm going on my first peninsula brown bear hunt this spring. What are legitimate expectations on a size bear you would hold out for? I'm not looking for a BC bear and I'm also not just looking for "a" bear. What size would you suggest holding out for or shooting? I also do not want to go home empty handed holding out for an unrealistic expectation.

 

[BRWNBR]

I’ve guided 30 years for brown bears in Alaska. Somehow I’m still stumped and why it matters what other people think of your investment. Shoot whatever you like. The only time size matters is when you tell the story to someone else.
“Went to Ak shot a bear”
“How big was it?” It’s never did you have fun? Was it worth it? Etc.
size is just a number that never really tells the story or shares the adventure.

If you’re asking what size is available the answer is 6’-12’. What’s a good size mature boar?…9’. What’s a monster? Anything over 10’. What are you more likely to have a chance at. 8’ plus.

I tell guys. If you see one you like. Shoot it. Don’t shoot it cause I gave it a number.

 

[medvedyt]

I’ve guided 30 years for brown bears in Alaska. Somehow I’m still stumped and why it matters what other people think of your investment. Shoot whatever you like. The only time size matters is when you tell the story to someone else.
“Went to Ak shot a bear”
“How big was it?” It’s never did you have fun? Was it worth it? Etc.
size is just a number that never really tells the story or shares the adventure.

If you’re asking what size is available the answer is 6’-12’. What’s a good size mature boar?…9’. What’s a monster? Anything over 10’. What are you more likely to have a chance at. 8’ plus.

I tell guys. If you see one you like. Shoot it. Don’t shoot it cause I gave it a number.

best advice ever ... tape measurement and book records killed the joy of hunters.

 

[Scottf270]

I would set 9' as a good minimum goal. You may be able to lower that as time passes, but no guarantees. The difference between a 9' bear and a 10 footer is a whole bunch more than just 12", it about a 30% overall bigger bear in every dimension.

It's your money and your hunt. But shooting a small bear, to avoid going home empty, won't satisfy you I bet. You are hunting what I consider the greatest game animal in North America.

 

[Smtn10pt]

Depending on where you go and how many bear you are seeing you may adjust up or down but an 8.5' bear with a nice hide is what I took on my hunt, and the mount looks great in my house. Coming from the PA where we take our bears to a check station to get weighed thats how I judge bears. I saw several that i believe were in the same size class as the one i got. The square is what they go by in AK, measuring length and wingspan. A question you have to ask is who do you think is bigger, a 7' tall skinny basketball player or a 6' tall 350 pound NFL lineman., one squares more, the other weighs more.

 

[FOS373]

My experience with guided hunts, is to trust the guides you are with. I have a conversation with my guide when I arrive about what I'm looking for. First and foremost is a great experience. I'll trust them when they tell me if the animal is a shooter or not. You can tell by their excitement, body language, etc. if it's something special or "ehh, it's legal....". Again, my experience, the guides I've had are also looking for the best animal they can find and have not been inclined to take "an animal".


And as brwnbr says, generally 99% of the questions from others are "how big?" vs "how was the trip?" when the latter question is the most relevant. 99.9% of these people will never go on these hunts nor have any experience with the size; it's just a question that seems relevant.

Would you rather come home with a 10' bear and a crappy attitude guide or an 8' 6" bear where you and the guide worked hard and had a great time?

 

[kwackkillncrew]

if you shoot a big one, you need a big wall. i have only shot a black bear, squared just over 5' not a monster by any means. ADFG took a tooth and aged it at 17 years old. I think the age of it is more impressive then the size. It also fits nicely over the stair railing. would you be happy with a 8 footer on the last day or 2 of the hunt? If so id go for that. Or like has been said, ask the guide what he has been seeing and what not right when you get there and get a feel of bear activity.