Possible Brown Bear Hunt Question

[rwtdog]

I have the option to go on a lasdt minute Brown Bear hunt this August for around 30% off the normal pricce for this hunt. Normally I would be jumping at this opportunity, but due to it being an August hunt, the guide has told me that the size we would likely end up with is a 7-8 footer. I care more about the experience when it comes to hunting than the trophy, but that being said the idea of targeting a 9-10 footer has been something I looked forward to.

For people who have done this hunt before, do you think I should stop worrying about the size and hop on the opportunity or is it something that I will likely regret in the future? The hunt would be spot and stalk through a drainage in a concession near the Denali Preserve.

 

[wyosteve]

If you’ve been looking forward to finding a bigger bear, I think you’d be more satisfied paying the extra to look for one.

 

[waspocrew]

Don’t compromise on your goal of a bigger bear due to a “deal”. Pay more for the chance to hunt the bear you actually want.

 

[Luke S]

I'm not aware of areas close to Denali that produce 9 ft plus bears often enough I would hold out for one. I always thought of that area as smaller interior bears.

Could be I don’t know something, could be the outfitter is being extremely vague about his area and he's actually closer to the coast or could be something else. Maybe ask more.

My thought is if you want 9 foot or better you might need to look at coastal salmon eating bears. This hunt may or may not provide that. But he may be correct about the timing. Seems like older/bigger bears do have different patterns sometimes.

Sounds like you need to research the hunt more. But spot and stalk in the mountains is fun if you're fit. I'd rather get a spot and stalk 7 footer then an 8 footer over bait in most situations (BRWNBR's hunts look super fun though not knocking his bait hunts).

 

[rwtdog]

I'm not aware of areas close to Denali that produce 9 ft plus bears often enough I would hold out for one. I always thought of that area as smaller interior bears.

Could be I don’t know something, could be the outfitter is being extremely vague about his area and he's actually closer to the coast or could be something else. Maybe ask more.

My thought is if you want 9 foot or better you might need to look at coastal salmon eating bears. This hunt may or may not provide that. But he may be correct about the timing. Seems like older/bigger bears do have different patterns sometimes.

Sounds like you need to research the hunt more. But spot and stalk in the mountains is fun if you're fit. I'd rather get a spot and stalk 7 footer then an 8 footer over bait in most situations (BRWNBR's hunts look super fun though not knocking his bait hunts).

Completely agree on the baited vs spot and stalk. Would much rather be out there walking around. As for the area, I believe it is GMU 18.

 

[Luke S]

GMU 18 is not what I'd think of as "close to Denali" so forget what I said. I imagine there could be some big ones there but timing probably is important.

 

[rwtdog]

GMU 18 is not what I'd think of as "close to Denali" so forget what I said. I imagine there could be some big ones there but timing probably is important.

Apologies, just going off the information I had been given.

 

[rookieforever33]

Depends on how much if a stretch coming up with the money is for you. A great deal isnt great if you cant afford it. If you have already shot a bear and want to hold out so be it. If this is your first time and you have the cash to spare go for it. Many never will get the chance at all.

 

[rwtdog]

Depends on how much if a stretch coming up with the money is for you. A great deal isnt great if you cant afford it. If you have already shot a bear and want to hold out so be it. If this is your first time and you have the cash to spare go for it. Many never will get the chance at all.

Money won't be the limiting factor for me doing this hunt long term, but it was definitely one I expected to wait on doing for another 5 years at least due to price. I probably shouldn't have put myself on a few guides cancelation email list for fear of this happening and the strong desire to go lol.

Appreciate all the replies.

 

[Scottf270]

I learned long ago to never compromise your true goals. Every dollar spent hunting "lesser" animals just wastes time and pushes your real goal further away.

Not being a snob, just learned the hard way. Every dollar I spent hunting another pronghorn or deer delayed my brown bear hunt. Do the most expensive hunts first.

My Kodiak bear hunt in 2014 that was 20 grand is now over $45,000. Sheep that were 20 grand are now 50 to 60 grand. I hesitated going with an outfitters in Alberta for cougar when he was 8,500. I paid over 15,000 in 2025.

A lot of last minute hunts are simply hunts not booked at all due to poor dates, success rates etc. Sometimes there's a reason hunts aren't booked.

Bargains can be found but be careful.

 

[rwtdog]

I learned long ago to never compromise your true goals. Every dollar spent hunting "lesser" animals just wastes time and pushes your real goal further away.

Not being a snob, just learned the hard way. Every dollar I spent hunting another pronghorn or deer delayed my brown bear hunt. Do the most expensive hunts first.

My Kodiak bear hunt in 2014 that was 20 grand is now over $45,000. Sheep that were 20 grand are now 50 to 60 grand. I hesitated going with an outfitters in Alberta for cougar when he was 8,500. I paid over 15,000 in 2025.

A lot of last minute hunts are simply hunts not booked at all due to poor dates, success rates etc. Sometimes there's a reason hunts aren't booked.

Bargains can be found but be careful.

Makes sense. Appreciate the advice. My long-term goal is the NA 29 and I am still relatively young but I had certainly figured I would do the cheaper ones first and do 1 every year, but probably should take your advice and do the more expensive ones now before they continue to increase/become unhuntable and then rack up the easier ones later

 

[Smtn10pt]

8' is where they are starting to look big, if you are just trying to check the box for the species it sounds like a deal. There are a lot of hunters that go to the Peninsula or Kodiak and come home empty handed that paid top dollar to hunt for that coveted 10' bear. They are rare in the wild, even rarer when you actually put a tape to them.

 

[BCDJR]

I would pass…remember the outfitter started with 7 ft

 

[BRWNBR]

I’m a guide, so my position may be different. I’ve thrown nine foot brown bears in the trash can in my driveway.

Shooting a 7’ brown bear is the exact same experience as shooting a 10’ brown bear. Except more action usually. Big bears tend to die easy and on slow motion. Smaller bears go crazy a lot.
That being said…the only time a number or size of an animal matters is when you tell the story. Typically it goes like this…
“I went brown bear hunting”
“Did you get one?”
“Yup! It was awesome!”
“How big was it??”
All of a sudden people feel judged, did I shoot a big enough bear, am I going to be shamed, or embarrassed to say the number???
“uhhh well we had some rough weather, couldn’t find a big one so I took a really pretty one. Great great hide, awesome claws”
“Ohh man you paid that much and didn’t shoot a big one? Bob down at the gas station shot a monster, you should see his pics!”

I am of the mindset that numbers are just a measuring stick for the world to beat you with. If I had a great trip I could care less how big my animal was. It was my trip. My memory. My investment. My time. To the people who wanna judge What I shot they can help contribute to my hunting fund next time. Otherwise. Their opinion don’t matter.

If you want to go on a hunt and shoot a 7’ bear, that’s up to you. If you wanna pass up a 9’ bear in hopes of a 10’ bear, that’s up to you. If the numbers really matter
To you then you better hunt that way. If they don’t…

Also is the goal checking boxes for your 29, or is the goal a big bear. I had two clients this year that were on their third brown bear hunts without a shot at a decent bear. They hunted the Alaska peninsula and coastal areas of Alaska with big bears in them. If big is your goal. No price tag is going to produce that. It may happen first morning…it may happen 4 trips later…

 

[Luke S]

Or shoot a smaller bear with a smaller rifle to make it exciting. This was a hair under 7 foot with a 223. Big enough for that young man.

 

[Nine Banger]

Nobody where I live asks how big bears are.

It's just "did yah get one?"

Bucks can be similar. We as hunters read too much into it but If someone is asking "how many points does it have?", they are more likely just making conversation and can't think of anything else to ask.