Grizzly bear hunting in Alaska is legal, heavily regulated, and expensive. It’s also one of the most controversial hunting pursuits in North America, drawing passionate opinions from hunters, conservationists, Alaska residents, and everyone in between.
This article covers the practical side first. Regulations, tags, guide requirements, seasons, and what a hunt actually costs. At the bottom, you’ll find our honest opinion on the practice. Combined, we’ve spent over 20 years filming in Alaska, including a ton of bear hunts, and we have some thoughts.
Quick Grizzly Hunting Guide
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Species | Brown bear / Grizzly bear (Ursus arctos) |
| Alaska population | ~30,000 |
| Annual harvest | ~1,500-1,900 bears |
| Resident tag cost | $50 |
| Non-resident tag cost | $1,000 |
| Non-resident license | $160 |
| Guide requirement | Required for non-residents on brown/grizzly bear |
| Seasons | Spring (April-May) and Fall (September-October) |
| Most common method | Spot and stalk |
| Average guided hunt cost | $20,000-$30,000 |
| All-in cost (non-resident) | $30,000-$50,000+ |
| Meat edibility | very poor — most hunters don’t eat it |
Regulations & Tags
Brown and grizzly bears are the same species in Alaska — “brown bear” refers to coastal populations, “grizzly” to interior. The hunting regulations are the same regardless of what you call them.
Resident hunters:
- Hunting license: $50
- Brown bear tag: $50
- Guide not required
- Most units available over the counter
- Some units require a draw permit
Non-resident hunters:
- Hunting license: $160
- Brown bear tag: $1,000
- Licensed guide required — non-residents must be accompanied by a licensed Alaska guide or a resident who is a family member within the second degree of kindred
- Some units over the counter, some require draw
- Must check unit-specific regulations at ADF&G before booking
Season dates vary by unit — spring seasons typically run April through May, fall seasons September through October. Always verify current regulations at the Alaska Department of Fish and Game before planning a hunt.
Grizzly Bear Hunting Methods
- Spot and Stalk The most common method for interior grizzly hunting. Hunters glass mountainsides and tundra for bears, then close the distance on foot. Spring hunts often target bears emerging from dens. This has been the primary hunting style I’ve filmed in Alaska.
- Over Salmon Streams Coastal brown bear hunting frequently involves positioning near salmon streams in late summer and fall where bears congregate to feed. Bears in these areas are typically larger due to their salmon-rich diet.
- Combination Hunts Many outfitters offer grizzly bear hunts combined with caribou or moose — the combination hunt model reduces per-species costs and gives hunters multiple opportunities in a single trip.
- Spring vs Fall Spring hunts offer bears with prime winter coats and the opportunity to spot animals in open terrain with snow still on the ground. Fall hunts coincide with hyperphagia — bears feeding intensively before hibernation — which makes them more predictable and easier to locate near food sources.
Alaska’s Grizzly Bear Hunting Price Breakdown
It’s expensive. Here’s a breakdown of how much the average grizzly bear hunting trip in Alaska costs.
- License and Tags:
- Resident Hunting License: $50
- Non-Resident Hunting License: $160
- Grizzly Bear Tag (Resident): $50
- Grizzly Bear Tag (Non-Resident): $1,000
- Transportation:
- Airfare to Alaska: $500 – $1,500
- Rental Vehicle: $300 – $700
- Hotel Accommodations before and after hunt: $250-$1000
- Guided Hunt Fees
- Guide Fee: $10,000-$30,000 (varies depending on duration and services included)
- Gratuity for Guide: 10% – 20% of guide fee
- Equipment and Gear:
- Rifle: $500 – $3,000
- Ammunition: $100 – $500
- Hunting Clothing and Gear: $200 – $1,000
- Miscellaneous Expenses:
- Food and Supplies: $200 – $800 (depending on duration and personal preferences)
- Processing and Shipping of Meat: $200 – $500 (varies depending on quantity and services)
- Taxidermy: $1,000 – $5,000 (varies depending on size and complexity)
- Trophy Shipping (if applicable): $200 – $1,000 (varies depending on destination and shipping method)
It’s not uncommon for grizzly bear hunting trips in Alaska to reach 50k in all.
Who’s Hunting Grizzly Bears in Alaska?
The stats on grizzly bear hunting in Alaska reveals a notable imbalance between residents and nonresidents participating in the privileged pastime. Alaska has an estimated brown bear population of 30,000, the annual harvest in 2007 saw 1,900 brown bears being taken, with about 67 percent of them harvested by nonresidents.
This ratio has prompted ongoing debate about resource management, fairness, and the economics of wildlife in Alaska. Non-resident hunters contribute significant revenue through licenses, tags, guide fees, and tourism spending, but they also account for the overwhelming majority of brown bear kills.
Guided vs Self-Guided
Non-residents must hunt with a licensed guide. There’s no self-guided option for non-resident brown bear hunting in Alaska. This is different from moose or caribou hunting where some units allow non-resident self-guided hunts.
For residents, self-guided hunting is legal throughout the state. Experienced Alaska residents with backcountry skills regularly pursue brown bears without guides.
Subsistence or Conquest?
Contrary to the image of the rugged frontiersman providing for his family, grizzly bear hunting in Alaska is purely driven by profit and thrill seeking. Outfitters charge exorbitant fees to guide tourists in pursuit of a trophy, turning the slaughter of one of Alaska’s most iconic animals, into a commercial enterprise.
Locals in Alaska, particularly indigenous communities, engage in subsistence hunting as a means of survival, independence, and cultural tradition. However, the practice of trophy hunting stands in stark contrast. Subsistence hunting respects the balance of nature and honors the spiritual connection between humans and wildlife, whereas trophy hunting prioritizes ego and material gain.
As stewards of the land, it is our responsibility to protect and preserve the natural world, even the ones that can be kind of scary. Grizzly bears play a crucial role in maintaining healthy ecosystems, the same that sharks do in the ocean.
Are Grizzly Bears a Threat?
If you’re reaching for a reason to justify grizzly bear hunting in Alaska, you might argue they are a threat that needs to be mitigated. Let’s explore this. While brown bears can pose a threat to humans, attacks are very rare. Additionally, the majority of incidents occur when humans are invading bear habitats.
Eight fatal bear attack incidents, resulting in 10 deaths, occurred in Alaska, between January 2000 through June 2017. So does that justify the killing of 1500 brown bears a year? Following that logic we would have to ban bathtubs, as they contribute to around 100 deaths a year.
The real motivations behind hunting grizzly bear hunting in Alaska are clear. Hunters pursue brown bears for sport, seeking the thrill of hunting a formidable animal. What better way to feel like a strong guy than to kill a big scary bear?
Eating Grizzly Bear Meat
Now, my entire argument with grizzly bear hunting in Alaska could be rendered moot if the hunters actually used the animals life to sustain their own. But nobody eats brown bear meat, it’s simply not done. The flesh of these apex predators can be tough, gamey, and just kind smells like shit. They say you are what you eat and when you eat rotting seal carcass and tons of fish, well that has an impact.
This is from the website themeateater.com ““The coastal brown smelled like fish and tasted like something that eats fish. I remember it slow-cooking in a Dutch oven, and the aroma filled the kitchen with an unpleasant fishy smell. We tried making it a few different ways to make it taste good, and we couldn’t.”
While some hunters claim to eat bear meat, I’ve never encountered one who targets brown bear for their meat. I’ve met a select few who hunt black bear, and they generally only keep the back strap and make sausage with the rest. And even then they mix it with pork or other meats to improve its flavor and texture. So taste isn’t a winning argument for defending the brutal practice of grizzly bear hunting in Alaska.
Alaska’s Grizzly Bear Hunting is Big Business
The real reason Alaska allows grizzly bear hunting is the same reason we drill for oil and sell cigarettes, money. People will pay big bucks to shoot yogi’s face off and use his hide as a rug. And as long as there’s a market for it, there will be willing participants lining up to profit from it. And honestly, at least local Alaskans are making money off rich lower 48ers. In my very openly libtard opinion, it’s the best argument in defending grizzly bear hunting in Alaska.
So what are the numbers? Alaska’s grizzly bear hunting industry stands as a significant economic force, with non-resident hunters contributing substantial sums through licenses, guide services, and trophy fees. With guided hunts fetching prices upwards of $25,000 per hunter, coupled with additional expenses for permits and travel, the industry generates substantial revenue. So if you must murder Winnie the Pooh, please tip your bartenders well.
Canada Bans Grizzly Bear Hunting
There is hope for Paddington and co. In 2017 our northern neighbors, the British Columbia government, led by the New Democratic Party (NDP), announced the ban on the trophy hunting of grizzly bears. The decision followed extensive public consultation and input from various groups, such as conservation groups, Indigenous communities, and wildlife experts. Lobbying efforts from conservation organizations, such as the Coastal First Nations and the Raincoast Conservation Foundation, played a significant role in advocating for the ban.
The ban was implemented through changes to hunting regulations rather than through specific legislation. Under the new regulations, hunters are no longer permitted to possess or transport grizzly bear trophies, including heads, hides, and claws. However, hunting for meat remains legal, and Indigenous peoples’ hunting rights are respected under the ban.
The government’s decision to ban grizzly bear trophy hunting was driven by a combination of ethical considerations, conservation objectives, and public sentiment. It reflects a commitment to responsible wildlife management and acknowledges the importance of protecting iconic species like the grizzly bear for future generations. Not too pretty bad if ya ask me. I wish Alaska would adopt something similar to this.
My Experience Alaska Grizzly Bear Hunting
I’m fully aware that my stance on grizzly bear hunting in Alaska will earn me full libtard status, but I still think it’s worth having the conversation. And just to be clear, I have no problem with hunting, quite the contrary actually. I believe there are few nobler acts than harvesting your own protein. I think it’s a basic primordial act that more people should experience. My problem is with blood thirsty tourists who travel thousands of miles to kill an animal so they can hang a conversation piece above their fireplace.
I’ve been on countless bear hunts during my time documenting subsistence living in Alaska. Over the past decade I have encountered a grand total of zero Alaska residents that wanted to hunt and kill a grizzly bear. Unless a problem bear keeps encroaching on a village or town, I’ve never heard a good reason to go grizzly bear hunting in Alaska. And that’s not my hippie opinion, that’s most Alaskans opinions.
While trophy hunting disregards the intrinsic value of these animals and perpetuates a culture of exploitation and dominance over nature, this sad symbol of conquest and status is big business in the Last frontier. Capitalism baby.
Alaska Grizzly Bear Hunting Conclusion
Grizzly bear hunting in Alaska represents a dark chapter in the ongoing struggle to reconcile the urge for violence with the preservation of wilderness and wildlife. By condemning the practice of trophy hunting and advocating for the conservation of these majestic creatures, we can strive to ensure a future where grizzly bears roam free and undisturbed in their natural habitat. At some point we have to shed the useless urge to kill something beautiful.
Alaska Grizzly Bear Hunting FAQs
Is grizzly bear hunting legal in Alaska?
Yes. Brown/grizzly bear hunting is legal in Alaska and regulated by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. Both residents and non-residents can hunt brown bears.
Do non-residents need a guide to hunt grizzly bears in Alaska?
Yes. Non-residents are required by law to be accompanied by a licensed Alaska guide or a resident family member within the second degree of kindred when hunting brown/grizzly bears.
How much does a grizzly bear hunt in Alaska cost?
All-in costs for a non-resident guided grizzly bear hunt typically run $30,000-$50,000. The guide fee alone is usually $10,000-$30,000. Add the non-resident tag ($1,000), license ($160), airfare, gear, taxidermy, and shipping and the total adds up quickly.
How many grizzly bears are in Alaska?
Alaska’s brown bear population is estimated at approximately 30,000. The largest concentration of brown bears in North America. The annual harvest runs roughly 1,500-1,900 bears per year, with non-residents accounting for about 67% of the harvest.
Do hunters eat grizzly bear meat?
Rarely. Brown bear meat, particularly from coastal bears that eat salmon, is generally considered inedible. It can be tough, strongly flavored, and has an unpleasant odor when cooked. Most hunters pursue brown bears for the trophy rather than the meat.
Can you hunt grizzly bears year-round in Alaska?
No. Brown bear hunting is seasonal. Spring seasons typically run April through May, fall seasons September through October. Exact dates vary by unit.
What happens to the bear after a hunt?
The hunter is required to salvage the hide and skull. Meat salvage requirements vary, some units require meat salvage, others don’t since bear meat is often considered inedible. The skull is typically sent for taxidermy. Trophy shipping regulations apply if taking the bear out of Alaska.
Is grizzly bear hunting sustainable in Alaska?
ADF&G manages brown bear populations using harvest data, population surveys, and unit-specific quotas. Alaska’s bear population has remained stable and harvest levels are considered sustainable by state wildlife managers. The ethical debate around the practice is separate from the population sustainability question.
Further Reading/Resources
- Bear Viewing From Homer — if you’d rather watch than hunt
- Black Bear vs Grizzly Bear — how to tell them apart in the field
- Moose Hunting in Alaska — Alaska’s most popular big game hunt
More Alaska Hunting & Wildlife Guides
- Black Bear vs Grizzly Bear — how to tell them apart in the field
- Moose Hunting in Alaska — Alaska’s most popular big game hunt
- Bear Viewing From Homer — if you’d rather watch than hunt
- Porcupines in Alaska — Alaska’s most underrated wildlife
- Types of Salmon in Alaska — Alaska’s most iconic animal
- Famous People From Alaska — including the reality TV hunters