NAME: Ursus Arctos Middendorf
LOCATION: Bristol Bay, Alaska
TYPE: 10 Day Base or Spike Camp
HUNTS: Fall Offerings

Hunting Brown Bears With Dave Marsh

I hunt brown bears in the fall in Southwest Alaska in the area commonly referred to as Bristol Bay (GMU 17B), currently maintaining permits that cover well over 2 million acres of state park and DNR land in this prime hunting location. Sometimes we’ll access the country via a Cessna 206, but mostly we’ll use a Piper Pacer - either equipped with floats or bush wheels depending. This hunt originates in Dillingham and the significant scheduled bush flight expense to and from the hunting camp, at the beginning and end of each trip, is included in the price of the trip.

The approach we take to brown bear hunting is operating out of an “established spike camp” that consists of a coordinated assortment of shelters that include a large dome tent for staff that doubles as a field kitchen, and smaller four season tents which are totally satisfactory in making your stay warm, dry, and comfortable. Fare is as hearty and varied as a weight conscious wilderness setting will allow. This mostly translates into high quality freeze dried type meals supplemented with other odds and ends. In short, breakfast includes various hot and cold cereals, lunch is assorted meats, cheeses, trail mixes, and chips, and dinner is a one dish main course and often a sweet for dessert.

Over the years we have discovered that locating our camps in the midst of choice country has been a very successful way to hunt brown bears. This puts us in a position to “go to sleep and wake up with the game” without spending a lot of back and forth time getting into and out of the most productive areas. The weather is dynamic during any given year and at any given time so you should expect and be prepared mentally and physically for the worst. Meals are portioned and specific and the whole approach is similar in style to the extremes of remote sheep hunting. Clients must be in very good shape and be willing and able to carry sizable loads that often require several trips in order for this hunting style to be satisfactory and successful.

No matter the choice of hunting strategy that we as a team decide on, brown bears are very abundant in my area (two bear bag limit) with the population continuing to increase. In addition to a great density there is a proliferation of color phases ranging from deep coffee brown to wheat straw yellow which also makes my area very attractive. We’ll usually find them in open glades feeding aggressively on berries or on brushy hillsides grubbing roots but there is also the possibility of getting a bear that is visiting a kill site - his or ours! Weather conditions throughout the season are usually overcast, more than likely wet, but always windy. As stated, hunts are offered 1x1 or 2x1 mid September to mid October that I personally guide with support from a camp jack/packer who enhances the total experience considerably. Black bear, wolf, and wolverine are also considerations on these 10 day trips. I have been hunting brownies since 1994 and clients in a reasonable condition, the right attitude, and spirited determination continue to have an excellent chance at taking a dandy trophy while on this personally guided and staff supported adventure.