Alaska Brown Bears

[maginnis]

I just returned from my 6th season of guiding in southwest Alaska. It was a great month of bear hunting with 26 total days in the field. Lots of unstable weather. Rain, Sun, WIND, and a even are early skiff of snow. I learned a few new things about these bears this year, but my opinion still rests in that bears do what ever they want when they want! Every bear is different and can act different. Some shy, some bold. Predictable one day/week unpredictable the next. One thing for sure I love hunting them. My first hunter was an inspiration to say the least. Despite his battle with cancer the last 15 years of his life, he's never given up he is still upright and fighting it He filled his lifelong dream of shooting a brown bear(S) with a lever action rifle. A. 325 short magnum. We spotted his first bear the second morning of the hunt. She came out of the fog at 136 yards and he made a few quick great shots. Turned out to be a beautiful old sow with super ivory colored claws. We were super happy but not finished. In this particular unit one person can take two brown bears. Long story short, we passed on a few smaller bears in hopes for a giant and we found one. He had turned cannibal on the other carcass and we waited for him return. He was a great bear. 9 1/2 foot boar with a few battle scars. That was a great start to my season and had a great finish with 2 more nice boars. My second hunter unfortunately missed a giant but his son, a 16 year old kid, got a great bear. My last hunter, a great guy from east Texas, took a absolutely flawless 8 1/2 footer. It was a season to remember for me. It sure is good to be back in MT though. Time to hit the hills

 

[Wyodeerhunter]

Congrats sweet bear! Do you happen to know indian Larry? If you don't you will soon!

 

[maginnis]

rest of the pics

 

[havgunwilltravel]

Great looking bears...that country looks terrific..sounds like a good stint of guiding up north.

 

[DreaminofMT6X6s]

Great season man. Who do you guide for? That's a pretty neat deal.

 

[Papa-Zulu]

Back in the '80s when I lived in Juneau, I hunted brown bears twice on Chichagof Island and once on Admiralty Island. I am trying to determine where you are by the pictures, but nothing looks familiar. You took some very good bears! My best was a male that squared 8'2". Also got a male 8'0". Exciting times...

 

[highmountian]

Great pictures and congrats, that looks fun.

 

[THWAK1]

Sweet bears! Would love to stick one some day!

 

[sluggo6850]

Great bears and beautiful scenery. Happy hunting!!

 

[maginnis]

Thanks guys. I guide for nushagak guides out of Dillingham, AK.
donovansguideservice.com

 

[sbhooper]

You have to give that guy credit for not giving up. That hunt should inspire him to keep fighting. Cool adventure and great bears.

 

[streamer]

Awsome bears!! Only wish I had enough money to do that hunt

 

[1_pointer]

Awesome! That IS my hunt of a lifetime... Congrats.

 

[FishN4Eyes]

Love those big brownies!

Nice pics and congrats on the good guiding!