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You are on your first and probably the only Brown Bear hunt in your life. It's spring on Kodiac island. It's day 9 of a 10 day hunt. You've had dreams of 9-10 ft. bears for the past two years when you booked this trip. You and your guide spotted this bear two hours ago hanging around the entrance of its den and you've made a successful stalk to well within your comfortable range. Wind is in your favor and the bear has no idea you are there. Guide estimates the bear to be 7 1/2 - 8 foot.

Its probably a sow with cubs still in the den. No shot!

Wow, that is all too common scenario!! Close to the same exact thing happened to me, except I saw 9 & 10 footers. My problem was they were all rubbed, they didn't have a enough hair to cover your head. I never took one home. It is always hard to leave without, BUT THAT"S HUNTING!!
In your situation, NO i wouldn't shoot. You had dreams of 9's and 10's, and if you kill a 7 1/2' bear, chances are you wouldn't be happy. Strange things happen, you may be able to get back there someday and take the one you want. Then you wouldn't have one taxidermied that you didn't want.

I don't know much about kodiak island or the biology of kodiak brown bears, so if there was a chance it is a sow with cubs, then no shot(I'm assuming the guide would fill me in there). Or if the population is declining then no shot (but I don't think it is?).

HOWEVER, I would shoot if it was a boar. This obsession with "trophy" animals is getting a little extreme in today's society. Granted, in the case of certain species (i.e. lions) it is necessary to pass up small males and females for the health of the population etc. But the trophy craze for whitetail deer and other species is just nuts. What happened to enjoying the hunt and being happy that the HUNT was successful? Sounds like in this scenario the hunt was great and they really had to put some effort into it. That is a TROPHY in my eyes.

Although, I do agree with redgirls if the hide is worthless at that point then I probably wouldn't shoot either. The way I understand it, the hide is the only thing used on them? Shame to not use anything.


Anywho, my thoughts, probably got a little off subject .

probably not thinking a sow with cubs as well. was this a personal expeiernce or someone you knew?

Good call guys!

Never had the opportunity to do anything like this. I went on 1 deer hunt outside my home area paid. I had dreams of big wall hanger bucks. I only saw 1 buck that was no bigger than home. That wasn't what I came for. So if I'm after a dream that's what I'm after. No shot sure wouldn't be looking to take a sow.


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