There are roughly 200,000 brown bears in the world, with the majority living in Russia. The brown bears in North America live mainly on the western side of the continent and Alaska. They prefer semi-open areas and mountains, so be sure to pack for your trip with this in mind. The bears are primarily nocturnal in the summer months and they do not fully hibernate in the winter, which means they can be woken easily, and things can get violent. The bears tend to nest in caves and crevices, so these are areas to watch out for.



While brown bears are generally brown, they can be other colors, ranging from black, to cinnamon, and in some rare cases, even white. They are distinguishable by their size and face; their head is a bit concaved. These bears reach massive proportions, with a paw size of around 6 inches, they grow larger than the grizzly bear. They use their giant paws for digging, and as weapons. One swipe to the head of a moose can kill the animal, so a human opponent is no match.

Despite their size, a brown bear can reach speeds of up to 35 miles per hour. Hunters tend to grossly underestimate their speed, so when a hunter thinks he's far enough away, a bear can quickly turn and charge before a hunter has hardly enough time to react. The bears are also capable of running full speed for several miles without rest.

Since most of the brown bears in North America live in Alaska, the state has become the most popular brown bear hunting destination. Planning a trip there involves a lot of paperwork and research, mostly because of the pass through Canada, but all the work pays off with a trophy and stories to tell. When crossing the Canadian borders, be sure to have all the paperwork handy.

A hunting license, gun permits, and soon a passport will be required to enter the country. You will need to register your weapons at Canadian Customs, and by law, no handguns are allowed. With careful planning and research your brown bear hunting trip is only a car ride away.