Alaska Black Bear Hunting Guides and Outfitters

Black Bear: The North America black bear {Euarctos americanus} varies in color from pure white {Kermode’s bear of the coast of British Columbia} to the pure black, bluish, blonde, and reddish-brown {cinnamon} color phases found in Alaska. The hunting guides and outfitters will be able to help you find this big game in the wilderness.

Behavior and Life Cycle: Black bears have a life span of 15 to more than 30 years in the wild. They possess a keen sense of smell, and although detailed knowledge of their vision and hearing abilities awaits further study, they are probably comparable to those of dogs. These traits are very important to help it detect a hunter that is on a trip looking for a big game trophy. Although the winter torpor of some species usually has not been called hibernation, recent studies suggest that black bears are true hibernators, going without food or elimination of metabolic wastes for three to five months {and as long as seven months in Northern Alaska}. Compared to rodent hibernators, however the temperature of bears remains higher, although the heart rate drops from 45 to only 10 beats per minute. In warm winter periods, a hibernating bear may revive and leave its den for a while. During this time if the Alaska hunting season is in for this big game, then it is up to the outfitter or guide to find it for their client. There are many techniques that are used to lour a black bear to the same place to feed.

A female Alaska black bear typically gives birth to one of four cubs after a gestation period of six to nine months. The cubs are born very small, about 10 oz. among black bears and require maternal care for two or three years. Even when feeding independently, yearling bears need protection from older males, which are known to kill and eat them. Females have evolved methods to protect the young by chasing them up trees or by attacking other animals that approach too closely; they can run rapidly when necessary. Because of this, increased human hunts and trips into wilderness areas such as Alaska, lead to human mauling, retaliation.

Another cause of conflict is that competition for natural foods leads black bears to discover and exploit new food sources grown by humans in Alaska. In agricultural areas, stored grain, livestock, beehives, and other crops are raided. Black bears in public parks develop new feeding patterns based on camper food and garbage. Some black bears have learned how to release cable-suspended food, break tree limbs, and open licked cars.

Learning plays a large role in a bear cub’s ability to obtain food. Its relatively slow development and long tie with its mother allow it to observe the mother’s skills and to remember sites and experiences. Even the mostly herbivorous spectacled Alaska black bear must learn when and where to find the most nutritious parts of plants in each season. A good Alaska hunting guide or outfitter will take advantage of this when on a hunt or trip. Feeding generalists such as the omnivorous black bears survive by remembering from year to year where and when to return to salmon runs, rich patches of ripe berries, and other concentrated foods that are important for energy reserves for hibernation.

Alaska Hunting Season Schedule

Alaska Hunting License

United States Weather

The links above are to websites that list laws and regulations for Alaska hunting and other information that will be of interest to hunters planning trips and guided hunts in the area. These regulations and laws also govern the Alaska outfitters and guides that hunt black bear.