If you have never been bear hunting in Alaska and are planning too, you are in for the time of your life. In order to help you get ready for it, we have outlined some basic Alaskan bear hunting tips for you. Black bears and brown bears may live in the same areas, but do differ in behavior, habitat preference, and diet. Black bears prefer the mixed habitats of lowlands, and they thrive on berries, carrion, vegetation and other wildlife, while brown bears generally live in high country above the timberline where they dig for roots and ground squirrels, eat berries, and actively hunt caribou and other wildlife.
South facing slopes, tidal flats where green vegetation appears, and lower sections of drain areas are all good places to observe bears in the spring. Other places that you will find bears are along river banks and beaches where they will be foraging for dead seals, deer, and other carrion washed in by the tides. During the fall, bears feed on berries, roots and late-spawning salmon and as the season progresses toward winter, they begin seeking out den areas. By early November, bears will begin entering their dens and thus are harder to find.
Alaskan Bear Hunting Tips Regarding Guides, Licenses, Permits, and Tags
As part of the Alaskan bear hunting 101 tips, you should be aware if you are a nonresident of the state, you must hunt with a certified guide or close relative. (See the State's guidelines for specifics.) While hunting with a guide can be rather expensive, it is the safest way to hunt. Also, bear hunter success typically averages around 35 percent for Alaskan residents and 75 percent for guided hunters, with spring hunting reflecting a slight advantage over the fall hunts. A certified guide knows all the best Alaskan bear hunting 101 tips. He or she knows bears' migration patterns, best techniques for bear tracking and more--all of which, they will share with you during your trip!
Several brown and grizzly bear hunts are conducted as a drawing or as registered permit hunts. You should check the permit hunt regulations' booklet carefully for all information regarding permit hunts. The booklet outlines where you can hunt and when for the different species of bears. Licensing and permits can be obtained from most of Alaska's general stores or your guide can help order them for you. Additionally, some areas do require tags and again, the regulations' booklet will have more specifics on the topic.
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